West Main

PREACHING MYSELF OUT OF A JOB

The congregational responses to the last two sermons on elders and deacons are good—at least the ones shared with me! While I would not presume there is absolute agreement, nevertheless, there is considerate and general acknowledgement of some confusion surrounding the various roles of church leaders in the local congregation. Therefore, I thought I might take this time and space for the next few bulletin articles to clarify some finer points on the roles of elders, deacons, and ministers in the hope of reaching even more of a consensus.

As I mentioned in the sermon, there is no such animal or office as the “pulpit-minister” described in the pages of the New Testament. Hence my comment on Sunday, “Ministers are monsters.” Ministers are like the monster Frankenstein in that they are made up of various parts or in this case, various perceptions of what a pulpit-minister ought to be and do. This monster-like creation is the result of having to construct for ourselves a role not specifically constructed in the pages of Scripture. As a result, members of the congregation all have differing recipes on how to bake the perfect pulpit-minister.

I also spent some time on defining an evangelist as that term is frequently used to describe my role within local congregations. Given the fact that the term evangelist is used only three times and just once to specifically identify a person as such, we ought to be more circumspect with this label (Acts 21:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Ephesians 4:11). Traditionally, Timothy and Titus are thought of as evangelists, yet the kind of authority these men exercised as the Apostle Paul’s co-workers is rarely (if ever) granted to pulpit-ministers today.

Evangelists in Scripture are depicted as servants of Christ “on the move.” Evangelists bring the “good news” (gospel) to those who do not know Jesus Christ. Therefore, our term “missionary” would seem to more closely align with the New Testament’s depiction of an evangelist. Once this good news has been delivered by the evangelist and the basic fundamentals of congregational life have been established (1 Timothy 3:1ff), the missionary-evangelist moves on to replicate the process.

If we go with the biblically defined role of deacons as those who assist the elders in their elder-work, then I could almost go with the term deacon for my role in the local congregation. I say, “Almost,” because we see deacons in Scripture and in early church history as assisting the elders in their work on the margins of congregational life (assuming we take Acts 6 as a type of model for deacons preaching and teaching).

Pulpit-ministers are not routinely concentrating their efforts primarily on where the elders struggle to meet all the needs of the congregation. Most, if not virtually all, pulpit-ministers publically preach and teach to the majority of the body (think Sunday morning). Also, deacons are not the ones who would do the majority of the preaching and teaching for the local congregation, and clearly pulpit-ministers do.

So in the final analysis, did I preach myself out of a job? That is a question seeking resolution for next week’s bulletin.

– Terry

Elder/Deacon Selections  --  We are rapidly approaching the completion of the leadership selection process that was started about six months ago. Since that time we have been studying with the four men who indicated that they have a desire to serve as elders. It is now time to begin the final phase of the selection process.

The proposed men that were brought before you are Terry Christopher, Stephen Liles, Grant Newton, and Bud Rennels. Darren Dixon desires and is willing to serve as a deacon. You may feel that other men are biblically qualified to serve as elders or deacons. Please feel free to propose them so that they may be considered. The Elders are asking that if you have other men that you would like us to consider as elders or deacons, that you would return their names to the Elders by December 15^th.

On Sunday, January 5^th, the congregation will be provided with an elder/deacon selection form. We ask that each of you, who are members over the age of 18, to participate in the selection process. The form will allow you to affirm your approval of each man or if you cannot affirm your approval, you may leave the space blank.   You will also be given the opportunity to affirm your approval of the men that presently serve as elders or if you cannot affirm your approval you may leave the space blank. The Elders are asking that these forms be turned into them by January 19th.  These forms will remain confidential with the elders.

The elders are appreciative of the comments and recommendations that many of you have made over the last few months. We would also like to encourage you to dedicate time specifically for prayer and study for each of the men who will be under consideration for serving as elders or deacons. We have information forms on Leadership and Elder Evaluation for you to consider that are located in the lobby and on the information desk in the courtyard.

We are presently anticipating that on February 2^nd the new elders and deacons that are selected will be confirmed and installed during the morning service.

OAK GROVE & WEST MAIN – To all who are interested in helping this new work at Oak Grove School start, there will be a meeting with the principal at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 12. Please meet us there and let Brian Pannell know you are coming.

Winter Wonderland Celebration  -- Anyone who would like to participate or help with our Christmas Talent Program on Saturday, December 21, at 6:00 p.m. please contact Christi Olson or Wyndee Thomas. Practice dates are December 8   and 15 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

Wednesday Evening Class Schedule  -- Due to the holidays, we want to give you a schedule of the three class nights that we will not be meeting in the next two months. We will not meet on Wednesday, December 25; and Wednesday, January 1 & 8, 2014. (Please note the change of dates.) Adult and children’s classes will resume on January 15, 2014.

Also, Adult Wednesday Evening Classes will not meet on Wednesday, December 18^th. BIBLE BUSTER CHILDREN - please check with your teacher to see what “special activity” they have planned for you that night.

SUNDAY EVENING - DECEMBER 15 - NO EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE FIRESIDE ROOM AT 6:00 P.M.

Tuesday Morning Ladies Class  -- Ladies Class will not meet on December 24 and December 31. Classes will resume on January 7, 2014 after our Christmas Break.

Children’s Worship Leaders are needed beginning in January. Contact Jennielle Denn or Wyndee Thomas.

Prayer Requests & Praises . . . For Gloria Way as she recovers from hip surgery at home...Norris Bier was in a car accident Monday and has a broken rib...Lindsey, a former student of Bob Stapp’s, has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma...Kathy York’s friend, Howie Voss, passed away. Please pray for comfort and peace for those who love and miss her...Colleen Godfrey thanks you for your prayers – her leg infection is pretty much gone...Harvey & Helen Martin ask prayers for a cousin, a niece and a nephew who have had recent surgeries and for Helen’s sister and family whose son took his life... Praise – Daniel & Becky Walker have adopted two boys, Rodney & Cody!

Calendar of Events

Dec 6 & 7: "Confident Speaking"  Workshop postponed to after the holidays

Dec 8 & 15: Rehearsal Dates for our Winter Wonderland Celebration;

                    5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium

Dec 11: Widow’s Luncheon at Anna Maria Creekside; 11:00 a.m.

Dec 15: Food & Toys for Christmas Baskets need to be returned to building

Dec 18: Basket Delivery

Dec 22 & 29: Coffee Servers Needed