“Man in the Middle” (CaD 1 Cor 9) – Wayfarer
If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:12 (NIV)
I sometimes feel like I live in two different worlds and I don’t always fit perfectly in either of them. I have a career of over 30 years in the business world. I own the business I started working for in 1994. I love what I do, and I love my clients. I also have a unique leadership position among my local gathering of Jesus’ followers in which I lead, teach and provide pastoral presence though I’m not an official member of the staff.
Over the years, I’ve often felt as if people in the business world who know about my pastoral service don’t always know what to make of me. Likewise, people in the church world who find out it’s not actually my vocation aren’t sure what to do with me either. I’m kind of an outlier to individuals in both worlds. I’m a “man in the middle,” but that’s where God has led and it’s worked.
One of the things I’ve observed along my spiritual journey is that modern readers of the Great Story are often so focused on mining spiritual encouragement that the historical context is completely lost. But sometimes there’s spiritual treasure buried in that context for those who are willing to dig.
The Jesus Movement that exploded after the resurrection was an organically structured system. Like any human organization, it was a mix of diverse personalities, temperaments, strengths, and blind spots. The leadership core was, of course, Jesus original twelve disciples. If I put on my business cap and think about the org chart, it would look like the Twelve in executive director positions with the title of Apostles. Peter was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as appointed by Jesus. But, then there are Jesus’ brothers, James in particular, who quickly rise in the organization. James (not to become confused with either of the two members of the original Twelve disciples named James) becomes kind of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) focused on the core Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem.
You kind of have to think about it, but Paul was an outsider to this leadership group. First, he had the baggage of having originally been a competitor. Paul started as enemy numero uno to everyone in the corporation. He was even responsible for having a beloved member of business, assassinated and he had members of the church arrested, imprisoned, beaten, and perhaps even killed. Trust me, it would not have been a comfortable Board Meeting at Jesus, Inc. when it became clear that Jesus’ had hired Paul to help expand global operations.
On top of that, there was grumbling all the way down the org chart about Paul being given the executive director title of Apostle along with The Twelve. The qualifications were that Jesus personally and directly hired them, and that they had seen the resurrected Jesus. Paul technically fit those qualifications, but there were certainly some who felt that Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road years after the resurrection didn’t cut the corporate mustard.
Nevertheless, the Twelve originally stuck close to home in Jerusalem while sending Paul off to share Jesus’ message with people far away and set up locations in towns across Asia Minor and Greece. The distance was probably good for everybody in the organization. It also gave Paul tremendous autonomy to do things the way he felt they should be done while he was operating far from corporate headquarters. He was a maverick, a head-strong leader, as well as being the most brilliant and educated member of the executive team at Jesus, Inc. The rumors, criticism, and doubts about Paul’s pedigree and worthiness within the organization would follow him and dog him for years., no matter where he went.
One of the things Paul did differently was the fact that he had a vocation outside of Jesus, Inc. Paul was raised in a wealthy, accomplished tent-making family business. He knew the trade. He was skilled at it. And no matter where he traveled or stayed, people needed tents made or repaired. It allowed him to meet people he might otherwise not have met. His business interactions gave him local knowledge and information that would help him navigate the establishment of the local chapter of Jesus, Inc. It also meant that Paul provided for himself and his companions by his own means. Jesus, Inc. didn’t have to pay him a salary, travel expenses, or a per diem. He certainly could have expected or demanded this. The corporation certainly provided for and took care of the expenses of the other corporate executives in Jerusalem. Paul chose out, and he did so for a reason.
If you haven’t read today’s chapter, or even if you have, I encourage you to take a few minutes and read it again and think about Paul in his organizational circumstances. I think you might see things you didn’t see before.
In the quiet this morning, I’m meditating on the fact that I have gained a greater appreciation for, and deeper personal connection with, Paul in recent years. He was an outlier, too. His ministry was channeled through and provided for by what appears to be an unconnected vocation, though a disciple of Jesus knows that every vocation is a ministry. Paul was able to share Jesus’ message, shepherd new believers, and establish local chapters of Jesus, Inc. while not needing or expecting financial support from the people he’s spiritually serving. There’s something powerful in that, to give and require nothing in return. There is also, I have discovered, a joy that comes with it.
That would eventually change when Paul was arrested and spent years imprisoned and waiting trial in the Roman legal system. But how beautiful to think of the gratitude of the believers in places like Corinth where Paul gave so much without requiring anything. When it came time that he did need something from them, I can only imagine the joy with which they stepped up to the plate.
Who knows but what maybe I will be in a similar position someday. In the meantime, I’m blessed and overjoyed to be a “man in the middle” like Paul was, even if can occasionally be a unique reality.
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
