Torch, Fall 1983

·1 t· Let the pastor, himself, set the standard by not allowing himself to become the workhorse of the congregation, bearing all their burdens on his own shoulders. If the pastor cannot preserve enough time to be a husband to his own wife and a responsible dad to his kids, how can he ever expect the congregation to do so? Pastor, be an example of the type of worker you want in your church. Show the way of a balanced home life and an effective personal outreach on your own block. God's design for the pastor is , Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock (I Peter 5:3). A church will never know God 's standards for Christian service if it is not so taught. The pastor in his preaching and teaching must constantly emphasize the bib lical qualities that suit an individual for the work of the Lord in the church . The Word abounds with flesh and blood illustrations of men and women who were dynamically effective in their own day. Chapter after chapter of the New Testament epistles describe in great detail the pattern of life expected of God 's servants. This must be at the heart of the church 's teaching . There are certain essential qualities that stand out as being of primary importance in shaping the life of an effective church worker. These qualities should not be considered the idea l , but rather the normal for each one - from pastor on down to nursery worker . 1. A Spirit Filled Life Carnal workers in the church can only build a carnal church. A leader can never lift another to a higher level than that on which he himself lives. Unconfessed sin in the life grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and effectively quenches His ministry (I Thess. 5: 19) . No matter how desperate for workers, a church only undermines its ministry by pressing into service those who are spiritually unqualified. 2. A Servant's Heart The Lord Jesus taught , And whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your serva.nt. Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:27-28). The pastors, the board members , and superintendents must realize that those under their direction are not their servants but that , together, they ALL are equally servants of God engaged in the work of the Lord . Paul considered his helper Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fe llowsoldier (Phi l. 2:25). One was not above the other in rank. Both stood before God as bond slaves. The servant's heart manifests itself in the loving, caring, considerate concern that we show one another. .. .in lowliness ofmind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things ofothers (Phil. 2:3-4) . Serving people make a serving church and a serving church meets the deepest needs of a community. 3. A Sense of Commitment, Loyalty, and Faithfulness There is no room for the half-hearted in the Lord 's work. Nothing less than total commitment to the Lord and to the church is to be expected. Faithfulness to the task , dependability, promptness, and perseverance are qualities that set apart the worker as truly effective. Anything less will produce total havoc in the church 's program . 4. A Spirit of Teamwork The Lord's work is no place for loners . Each depends on the other. The work is a whole. The Sunday School is not independent of the nursery, nor is any branch of the church a unit unto itself. Each individual must be willing to adjust to the needs of the whole. Together we accomplish things we could never accomplish alone . 5. A Teachable Spirit "But I've done it this way for 28 years." That may be reason enough to reexamine methods and reevaluate goals. If any institutuion on earth deserves trained , qualified , competent workers who are willing to learn and willing to change with the times , it is the church. There is so much help available today for the teacher or other worker who desires to grow: books, periodicals, seminars , tapes . A wise superintendent, board , or committee chairman will constantly feed these materials to his staff, working with them to improve their skills. 6. A Peacemaker and a Peacekeeper Here is where the board of the church sets the example as it demonstrates how to face tough issues in harmony . Godly leaders can disagree without being disagreeable. Their theme verse should be Ephe– sians 4 :29: let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mourh , but that wh ich is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. A board carefully taught in the principles of proper Christian decorum will carry the peacemaking spirit out of the board meeting into every area of the church life . In such a church, gossip, back-biting , and destructive criticism become most unpopular. A spirit of harmony and fellowship will prevail. The people will rejoice and God will be glorified. Churches are not buildings, churches are not pastors, and churches are not reputations. Churches are people of every walk of life working together for God. God deserves that each of us gives his very best to the marvelous task He has so graciously entrusted to us. Rev. Fetzer is pastor of the Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He is a trustee of Cedarville College, Vice Chairman of the Council of 12 of the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and an advisory board member of the Association of Bap- tists for World Evangelism. 15