You mused:
examine the post 1904 Welsh revival life of Evan Roberts, which was mainly engaged in secret prayer, and in the Economy of God, can the question of "more important" be applicable?
or, assuming you read "The Life of Brainerd", Brainerd engaged in DAYS of secret prayer in the most dire physical conditions, his ill health(TB) poor food, loneliness, harsh weather, and yet, in the Grace of God, VIA an interpreter, David preached the Word to the Crossweeksung Indians, maybe 300 souls, and God came down in revival.
does the question, "more important" apply?
or was the fact, that David was in his last six months, dying of TB, received into the house of Jonathan Edwards, who appealed to David, to upon his death, to let Edwards publish his private journals and diaries, which David DID NOT intend for public consumption, yet heard the Godly wisdom of Edwards and consented. and to this day, from 1749, "The Life of Brainerd" has never been out of print, and has most definitely, powerfully influenced innumerable men and women of God to follow Jesus with ardency.....so THEN , if we are to parse the "more important" question, then is Jonathan Edwards "more important"?
Wait, it was Jonathan Edwards 16 year old daughter Jerusha, who nursed and cared for a dying 29 year old David Brainerd....and SHE contracted his TB, and six months after David's going to be with the Lord, Jerusha joined him, so the question "more important"? is veiled.
Consider the 12 disciples, standing around fussing about "who is the greatest"....what did Jesus do? Placed a small child among them and said, "unless you become like this child"........well, you know the rest.
You see, when we even indulge in the "more important", in relation to the Body, there's a subtle implication of "more than/less than", which has been the bane of the Body, it certainly highlights the darkness of the roman institution, where "papa" is so blasphemously referred to the "vicar of Christ"...oh, "papa" is definitely "more important", than any of the poor souls trapped in that abominable institution, called the "roman catholic church", and the "protestant church" (with its hundreds of denominations) isn't too far behind.
the "pastor" becomes the "more important", because in the by the numbers ecclesiology of the "protestant churches", he is put on a PLATFORM, (just like rome)...a PULPIT....which is ABOVE, in physical height, OVER the assembled saints, who passively listen to his "message".....considering all this, has the "protestant church" REALLY left rome?...or just become "rome-lite"?
Man, in this deceitfulness and sickness of our hearts, with a "more than/less than" innate outlook, brought INTO any assembly carries with it, the stench of PRIDE, and pride has no place, when the Blood bought saints, who follow Messiah Jesus gather.
so lovingly, I implore, consider your very question.
Its your personal intimate Call, Calling from God the Holy Spirit that is the "more important", rather than the actual ministry, or station, you are called to.....because ecclesiastical pride, is a terrible thing to behold, and has shipwrecked many.
much love brother Blaine, neil
