E-Tidings October 2003
From the District Superintendent
October is Clergy Appreciation Month. I ran across the following article from Focus on the Family magazine entitled "Be a Barnabas to Your Pastor" by Kathy Widenhouse. I thought this would be helpful for every laymen in order to honor and encourage your pastor.Last fall John Maxwell related the following story in an article for Good News magazine. During his first weeks as senior pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church near San Diego, John's schedule was packed. Nevertheless, he agreed to meet with Bill Klassen, a layman he did not know. "John," Bill said, "I believe God has called me, a layman, to disciple, encourage, and pray for pastors. And the reason I came here today was so that I could pray for you."
"I wept at the knowledge that God would send someone just to pray for me," Maxwell later admitted. Klassen was steadfast in prayer for Maxwell, and during the next 14 years, Skyline Wesleyan tripled in size, and Maxwell became a national leader in the church growth movement.
A similar scenario took place centuries ago. Around A.D. 47 the apostle Paul embarked on his first missionary journey. By his side was a faithful companion, Joseph of Cyprus, nicknamed Barnabas, or "Son of Encouragement." Why the title? Because Barnabas stood with Paul through shipwrecks, stonings and rejection.
Who encourages your pastor?
Christian pollster George Barna has discovered that "pastors are the single most occupationally frustrated professionals in America." Yet that needn't be so. Scripture makes it clear that we are to give special affirmation to our spiritual leaders. In 1 Timothy 5:17 we read, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." You needn't risk life and limb to be a modern-day Barnabas to your pastor, but there are some simple ways you can encourage him all year long.
Attend church. In another Barna survey, only 40 percent of the American public claims to attend church every Sunday. Only 60 percent of Christians are part of those weekly congregations. "The empty pew has an eloquent tongue," said one writer in Gospel Banner. "To the preacher, it says, 'Your sermon is not worthwhile.' The empty pew is a weight. The occupied pew is a wing."
Pray. Many pastors pray regularly for members of their congregations. Who prays for those in ministry? "I am most grateful for each layperson who has ever prayed for me," says longtime pastor Terry Teykl in his book Your Pastor: Preyed on or Prayed For? "Only through their spiritual support has my ministry been able to endure its darkest days. When a layperson told me that he or she was praying for me, I felt sustained."
Volunteer. Tracey had just begun attending a new church and decided to call on the minister. "Put me to work," she said. "What do you need done around here?" The pastor's jaw dropped. His reaction is understandable. Only about one-third of all Americans donate their time and talents to their church home. In a Gallup poll, pastors cite this apparent lack of commitment as one of their biggest frustrations with the ministry.
Share your spiritual growth. Perhaps a particular sermon convicted you in a way you didn't expect. Or your pastor pointed out Scriptures that became your lifeline during a time of crisis. Tell your pastor how his ministry has affected your walk with God. Better yet, write it in a letter so he can reread it.
Invite a friend to church. "Most people are intimidated if a clergyman invites them to worship," my pastor says. "They are more likely to come if invited by a friend." A leader is buoyed when he sees his congregation reach out and grow.
Criticize privately. Don't spout your criticisms to others in the church. The Rev. A. Frederick Walz Jr. of Smithville United Methodist Church in Dunkirk, Md., frequently tells his congregation: "If I am doing something that bothers you, please come to me. I need to hear it from you, not from someone else." Take your concerns to the pastor directly. He'll appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to share perspectives.
Befriend his family. According to a Fuller Institute survey, 80 percent of all pastors feel their jobs have a negative effect on their families. Pastors' wives and children often feel isolated and pressured by high expectations. Small gestures can ease this burden. Invite his family for a meal. Offer to baby-sit his preschoolers so he can have some private time with his wife. Pastors and their families are people-and people need friends.
Remember him on special days. Pastors celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. These are wonderful opportunities to acknowledge your spiritual leader with a card, note or gift. Mobilize your congregation to express its gratitude to your pastor with a special event during October, Clergy Appreciation Month. Said an Illinois pastor after one such celebration, "I have never heard of a church going to such extremes to show gratitude. . . . I'm ready to go for a long, long time."
Be an advocate. "One of the saddest times in my career was when a beloved parishioner turned his back on me," a 30-year ministry veteran said. "Yet I can remember the affirmation from one member who stood by me when others sought my demise." You needn't agree with your pastor on everything. As your spiritual leader, however, he deserves your steadfast encouragement, especially during difficult times (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
Say thank you. A pastor is not just a preacher. He is an administrator, teacher, fund-raiser, janitor, counselor, arbitrator, leader and visionary. He works in a high-expectation environment in which he is constantly scrutinized and rarely applauded. It costs nothing to say, "Thank you for everything you are doing. I can see the Lord working through you." But those words are priceless to your pastor.
In this Issue:
- News from Around Our Great District
- NYI Quizzing Dates
- Flushing Church Inaugurates Permanent Worship Facility
- NYI Winter Retreat Information Available on Emdnaz.org
- Plymouth Church 70th Anniversary Celebration on Oct 25th & 26th
- NYI Donates Soccer Goals to Camp
- RV Park Closing for Another Season, Winter Retreats Ongoing
- Opening at Gibson Center
- NMI Presidents ONLY Birthday Party
News from Around Our Great District
Congratulations on the birth of baby girl, Marilyn Elise Oyer, born to Chad & Angie Oyer, on 9/24, 5 lbs.. 12oz., 19 inches. Both Angie and Marilyn are doing great.Pastor Jeremy & Kristie Selvidge, Youth Pastor at Richfield, had their baby on Sept 24th. Jace William Rueben Selvidge was born yesterday afternoon. He weighed 7 lbs and 14 oz. and is 20 inches long.
Last year we prayed for Ben Hoover, son of Dave and Victoria Hoover, music minister at Flint Central. Ben had a very rare blood disorder. Fortunately he was able to have a bone marrow transplant from his brother. He is doing wonderful and is even playing football this fall. Ben and his family were recently granted a trip to Disney World from "Make A Wish" Foundation.
The EMD welcomes the following new staff to Warren Woods Church:
- Lori Wood and husband Mark, Christian School Administrator
- John MacDonald and wife Holly, Youth Pastor
- Jon Nicholas and wife Rachel, Worship Pastor
Flushing Church Celebrates First Service In New Facility
Sunday, October 5, 2003 the Flushing Community Church of the Nazarene held its first worship service in the new multi-purpose facilities on Pierson Road in Flushing. There were nearly 400 people present as Rev. Darrel Harvey challenged the congregation to see God's vision for the church and not see the new building as the end goal. Several individuals responded in the service by praying and receiving Christ as Savior. The new facility is 12,000 sq. ft. and includes a multi-purpose sanctuary/gymnasium, nurseries, offices and educational space. The Flushing Church was started by Pastor Harvey not quite 5 years ago.NYI Winter Retreat Information Available on Emdnaz.org
This is called Timber Lake Retreat Center in Lake City, MI. The date is December 29-31. There will be an option for night skiing one evening at Caberfae Ski Resort. The cost is $80 per person for the retreat and to go skiing it is $105 (total cost, so you are adding $25 to the reg. fee) if registered by Dec. 6th. After Dec. 6th it costs $85 per person for the retreat and $110 if you add skiing. The registration forms will be mailed to each church next week, so keep an eye out for them.Plymouth Church 70th Anniversary Celebration on Oct 25th & 26th
The Plymouth Church of the Nazarene invites all former members and friends of the church to its 70th Anniversary Celebration which will be held on October 25 and 26, 2003. The theme for the weekend is "Appreciate the Past - Look to the Future."Saturday evening will begin with food and then fellowship, pictures, a time of reminiscing and lots of good music. There will be a reunion of the teen music group, Seeds of Faith, and they will also be singing. Sunday morning service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with special music and then Dr. J. Mark Barnes speaking. Rev. Carl Allen will also have part in the service and a dinner will follow. If you plan to attend either service, please let the church office know so we can prepare properly. The number is 734-453-1525.
Thanks,
Richard & Carolyn Dilts
Steering Committee Chairpersons
