Torch, Fall 1982

B en Franklin said, "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time , for that is the stuff life is made of." Time is life . The right use of time is a major human factor in the impact made by our life. This fact is certainly true as it relates to the minister of the gospel. Many men with great spiritual gifts and excellent training have accomplished little for the cause of Christ because of undisciplined and undedicated use of their time. No doubt the Lord had this danger in mind in the admonition of Ephesians 5: 15-16, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. " Thus, it is imperative that the minister, just as the businessman , must realize the immense value of time and its right use . It has been said regarding the value of time , "The further on we go , the more we see time as diminishing capital ." It is a true axiom that we can't save time in the traditional concept of saving something . Rather , we can only spend time, hence it is important to make a wise investment. This same principle has been expressed by the following adage about time : "Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have - spend it wisely ." THE PASTOR ' S TIME DILEMMA Certainly every minister would admit to the value of time; yet , the fact remains that every day involves a fresh battle for the conquest of his time . There are several factors involved in this conflict , not the least of which is the "jack-of-all-trades" expectation placed upon the pastor . Today ' s minister is expected to be a scholar, pulpiteer , financier, public relations expert , organizer , administrator , professional counselor, teacher, social worker , vi sitor, journalist , radio and television personality , educator, and on and on we could go. Amid such demands, the words of II Corinthians 4: 1 are fitting : "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy , we faint not. " Also , the promise of II Corinthians 3:5 is sorely needed in our lives: " Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. " Realizing that the type of demands upon the pastoral ministry differ with the size of the church , it should be said at all stages of church growth that the work load is overwhelming for the serious-minded pastor. In our own ministry , my wife and I can look back some twenty -three years to the beginning of our ministry at Bethesda Baptist Church and testify that the continued on page 9