It’s A Real Job

From The Institute…

Thank you for your kind comments on last quarters Journal as we deat with the Mental Health of Ministers. You can download that edition at https:// issuu.com/thejenkinsinstitute/docs/ journal_-_mentoring_may_2022.

Ministry is a real job. It involves real work. It involves real challenges. It involves real hours and real hardships. It involves dealing with real people who can sometimes be real difficult Most of all it involves the most valuable thing in the world, real souls.

This quarter we focus on: Ministry: It’s A Real Job.”

It certainly feels like the word “work” has become a dirty one in our day. Stores have cut their hours, restaurants can’t find cooks, waiters, servers, or even managers. The hourly wage has increased dramatically and quickly but every business window has a “hiring” sign out front. Yet 2 Timothy 4:5 is still clear, Paul told the young minister, “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (ESV).

Our work is different, but it is still work. Work. Sitting for hours at a hospital as a sister’s husband undergoes a life and death surgery. Work. Tackling and taking to the floor each Word in a text and translating and applying it to the lives of our hearers. Work. Creating, promoting, pushing, and serving in every program

that happens in the local church. Work. Listening as a person pours their heart out and then praying with them. Work. Carrying the burdens of others when they have laid them at your door. Work. Writing the equlavent of a short novel’s worth of words in six days, another the next six days, and then every six days for years. Work. Beginning each day with a to do list so long you can never finish it. Work. Having as your boss every person who walks into your place of work. Work. Trying to get people’s attention off of money, possessions, accolades, promotions, and the material and turned to “things not seen.”

What we want to highlight in this edition is that the work is worth it and that the joys overshadow the challenges. Yes, it is work, but it is the most rewarding work in all the world. Work.

We will feature some of the finer church workers we know. It is our prayer that you’ll drink in each of the pieces in this issue of On Preaching and Ministry. We believe it will be a blessing and that you’ll treasure it. We know we do. We thank each of those who contributed. Thank you for what you do! If you need us, we’re a text or call away.

“…I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” (Rev. 14:13).

In His Service, Jeff and Dale

TheJenkinsInstitute.com

about those times when you sit and cry for hours trying to comfort someone who has lost a loved one. What do you do then? How can anyone continue to love ministry after stuff like that?

Consider a few things about your work as a minister:

1. You get to tell the world about the greatest being to ever exist, Jesus Christ. Paul told the church at Corinth that he didn’t come to “proclaim the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom” but determined to know nothing among them “except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). He later reminded them of the Gospel that he preached and the Gospel on which they stood. It was none other than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-3). Just like you, Paul had those days that made him emotional. His choice to accept God’s call to minister meant that he accepted the difficulties associated therewith. But he could “press on” because of Jesus (Phil. 3:14).

2. You get to tell the world about the greatest book to ever be read, the Bible. One of the passages that we always reference when we talk about the Scriptures is 2 Timothy 3:16. It may be overused in some cases, but I feel like it is pertinent here. Consider the word “all.” Every word is beneficial. Every word makes you better. Every word helps you learn and know better. Every word makes you skilled. Every word prepares you and sustains you. What other singular book can do all of those things at once? None! Peter says God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). That alone makes it great!

3. You get to help the world see their greatest need, to be saved. Sometimes, I feel like I have a pretty good grip on what I need. That is precisely the issue, though. I think I need more stuff, more time, more money, more friends. What I really need is

Jesus. What you really need is Jesus. What the world really needs is Jesus. Paul knew that the world would never hear about their need to be saved from their sin if someone didn’t tell them (Rom. 10:1-15). You may feel like there is no reason for you to choose ministry, but there are millions of reasons to keep going right next to you every day!

4. You get to proclaim the greatest joy, eternal life! When we began, I mentioned only part of the title – “Choosing to love ministry.” The first part is equally important –“A real job with real joy.” We also already mentioned a few reasons that might make it easy to rejoice. Even more than that, though, if I am doing this ministry thing right, then I am always thinking about eternal life because I am reading about eternal life, preparing for eternal life, and sharing eternal life. That is the real joy! Paul said his desire was to “depart and be with Christ” because it was “far better” (Phil. 1:23). Better than what? Being here on the earth, even though that was more needful at the time. You get the privilege of telling people why living for Jesus so they can live with Jesus is just better.

Just like anything in life, there will be ups and there will be downs. Most of the time the highs outweigh the lows, but not always. Sometimes you get so low that ministry is just hard to love. People are hard to love. Doing what is right is hard to love. I want to encourage you, preacher. Keep preaching Jesus! Keep preaching the Word! Keep helping others to see their greatest need. And preacher…never lose sight of the greatest joy, living with Jesus!

Ty Rhymes, tyrhymes2@gmail.com

During my first two full-time works, the Lord made up for my ignorance about finances by providing for us when I was scared to discuss money. When elders at the first churches asked what I expected, my standard reply was: “I’ve never talked about money, and I’m not going to start now.”

I was so afraid to discuss money that I turned down the first raise I was offered. Read: My First Raise and Why I Turned it Down…how wise and kind shepherds helped a scared young preacher. After those elders gave me my first raise, six years later I found my expenses increased faster than my salary. I dreaded it, but I asked to discuss this difficulty with the elders.

My approach was to share with them my proposed budget. I went through each item, line by line. I said, “I want you to check each item and see if what I’m proposing is fair and compare it with what you spend in this area. I may buy groceries, gasoline, a car, or other items for less. I either need what I’ve proposed or information on where to buy the items for less money. They gave me what I asked.

When I moved to the next church, we liked the location and the people. They immediately sent me a contract and money offer. It was much lower than comparable congregations of their size. I told them I’d decided not to move. I received a call from one of the elders. He asked if the financial offer had anything to do with my reply. I said,

It’s a Real Job: And You Can Support Your Family

“While we were visiting, we walked through a grocery store and noticed the price of gasoline in your town. They’re about the same as the place where we’re living. I’ve talked with churches of similar sizes in the area. You are paying less than other churches of your size.” He asked if I would come and meet with them again. I used the same approach. I brought a proposed budget. I made the same statement, “I either need what I’ve proposed or information on where to buy the items for less money.” They gave me what I proposed. We never had to discuss money for the remaining decade I worked with them.

My Suggestions

1. Believe what God says in His Word: “Do we not have a right to eat and drink?…those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (ESV). (1 Corinthians 9:4–14; Luke 10:7; I Timothy 5:17, 18). Paul chose not to accept what he had a right to receive. You may make the same choice. If you do, don’t complain because you don’t make as much as others.

2. Live on a budget. Give. Save. Shop. Invest. Spend what you have wisely. I found when I did that and needed to talk to elders about money, it was scary, but I received what I needed. No church could give some preachers what they think they need. The same is true of other workers in other fields. The key to financial security is to spend less than you make. It isn’t always more money that’s needed.

3. Take Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University or find someone who’ll teach you the basic money management principles. Gail and I took the course when Dave taught his class in person at the Holiday Inn in Brentwood, Tennessee. The advantage of taking it with a group is interacting with others who are learning and having a leader to hold you accountable for doing your homework. Many churches have taught the course to members and others. I’ve recommended this to every couple I’ve had in pre-marital counseling since Gail and I went through the course.

4. Understand this issue is best settled before you preach your first sermon as the preacher for your next church. A written contract is a way to settle disappointment and conflict before it happens. Two clauses I’ve included since I’ve had a written contract: (1) “A costof living-adjustment will be made each year.” Notice the terminology. It isn’t a raise. It’s a cost-ofliving adjustment. If you don’t get that, most years you’re getting less than what you received the year before. (2) “A merit raise will be considered each year and discussed why it is being given or not given.” The discussion is as important as the money.

5. You’ll likely have to hold the elders accountable to do what they agreed to do when you came to work with them. In the first church where I had a contract, on my anniversary with the church, my next check had a cost-ofliving adjustment, but no merit raise and we had no discussion. At that point, we

Paul chose not to accept what he had a right to receive. You may make the same choice. If you do, don’t complain because you don’t make as much as others.

were baptizing a person every week and the contribution was up $1,000.00 a month. I talked with one of the elders. (I should’ve talked with them as a group.)

I said, “I appreciate my cost-of-living adjustment. I know I don’t deserve a merit raise. If I had, you would’ve given it to me. We are baptizing a person each week, and the contribution is up $1,000.00 a week. We need to discuss this, and you tell me how I can work well enough to get a merit raise next year.”

He came back and told me the elders decided I should have a merit raise. During the rest of my time with them, I received both each year during that decade. Observations: I haven’t found elders to be dishonest. I’ve found them and me to be forgetful. That’s the reason for writing agreements. Written agreements aren’t for reforming dishonest people. Written agreements are for forgetful people and dead people. When these situations arise, we can refer to what we wrote. Another observation: people receiving money have better memories than people paying money. When agreements are written, everyone can be on the same page.

6. I won’t start the topic of money until the last item of our agreements. If the elders want to talk about it, I’ll listen and tell them I’ll think about it. I don’t want to spend energy and stress talking about salary, social security, meetings, workshops, insurance, retirement, and further education expenses before we decide whether we like each other. This has worked for me. I never failed to move to a full-time work (or interim) because the financial agreement was inadequate.

One of the qualities of an elder in Paul’s writing to Timothy is “not greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Timothy 3:3, KJV).

Money isn’t dirty unless it is made or spent with dishonesty or greed. When our hope is set on God, He “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 5:17). Jesus promised when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness “all these things (necessities) will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Being able to discuss this topic with elders was a journey of several years. What finally moved me was 1 Timothy 5:8: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

If any preacher, elder, or other interested Christian would like to discuss this confidentially, feel free to contact me.

— Jerrie Barber jerrie@barberclippings.com (615) 584–0512 www.newshepherdsorientation.com www.jerriebarber.com

It was the height of the Covid-19 pandemic—summer, 2020. Most churches, including the one I was preaching for—the Pleasant View, TN, Church of Christ—were not meeting at their buildings for worship. So, each week I sent a devotional to our members via “snail mail,” along with other announcements and encouragements. I tried my best to send a devotional to every member, even people who had only worshipped with us a few times. I did not want to leave out anyone. About three to four weeks into the shutdown, I was on my way to a funeral visitation when my wife called. She said a letter came in the

mail for me, but she did not recognize the woman’s name on the return address label. I said, “Oh, I think I know who that is. It’s the wife of a man who has visited a few times. She is probably asking that I stop sending the devotional to them. I’ll read it when I get home.”

When I arrived home hours later, the letter was on the kitchen table. I opened it and read this note: “Hope you and your family are well. We are in very unusual and difficult times. You were in my dreams. I have enjoyed your sermons. This is what I felt I should do.” The envelope included a check for $1,000. My chin hit the floor. My wife saw my shocked face and

said, “What is it?” I handed her the note and check. Then her chin hit the floor.

I cannot count all the kindnesses I have received in 22-plus years of preaching, from free meals to free trips to free clothes. The brethren have given me profound compliments and lasting encouragements. But the benefits of preaching are not for me only—they are received by every man who stands behind a pulpit. This is a reminder that even though preaching is a job—a job that includes long hours, unfair criticisms, and sleepless nights—it is a job that has the best benefits. Our people know and practice Galatians 6:6: “Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with the one who teaches.”

Aside from the unexpected gifts, here are a few more benefits given to the man of God:

(1). The preacher is present for all of life’s biggest moments. He visits the mother and newborn baby. He baptizes the believer. He preaches the wedding. He delivers the eulogy. I cannot think of four bigger moments in a person’s life. But the preacher is there each time, celebrating the most joyous situations and providing comfort during the darkest days.

(2). Constant encouragement. I know, I know—you might be reading this on a depressing Monday that followed a discouraging Sunday. Maybe you are tired of the belittling sister or the

judgmental brother. Maybe the last elders’ meeting did not go your way. I understand. But remember: Every Sunday you stand somewhere in your church building and receive kind words from faithful people. There are people in your congregation who brag on you all over town. There are children in your congregation who want to be you when they grow up. I believe preachers receive more encouragement in their work than anyone else.

In college, I remember a chapel speaker telling the students about the first sermon he ever delivered in the worship assembly. He was a young, new Christian. His family did not raise him in the church. But he studied hard and nearly memorized his remarks. He then delivered an inspiring message on the life of Job, but he mispronounced Job throughout the sermon. His pronunciation rhymed with “lob.” He did not realize his mistake until many days later. But why many days later? Why wasn’t he corrected immediately?

Because no one in the building corrected him. Every person said his presentation was outstanding and that he should keep preaching. He told us, “If they had corrected me, I would have been so embarrassed that I probably would have never preached again.” For all the pettiness and immaturity and thoughtlessness that our brethren can demonstrate at times, those discouragements are far outweighed by the encouragements preachers receive regularly from fellow Christians.

(3). Carrying the gospel message. The apostle Paul wrote: “…for God was wellpleased through the foolishness of the

message preached to save those who believe” (I Cor. 1:21b). In Romans he wrote: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (10:17). Throughout your ministry,

baptisms, all the counseling sessions, all the sermons, and all the sacrifices will be discussed by that person or others in attendance. That will be your legacy—a legacy of seed-sowing, Jesusproclaiming, and disciple-making.

“…your eulogy. Someone will describe what you did with the years God gave you. That is when the greatest benefit for preachers will be revealed—the speaker will detail the life you lived spreading God’s message of redemption”

thousands of lost souls will hear you proclaim the good news of salvation. Their faith will be established because you told them about Jesus. What an awesome privilege and responsibility! James 519-20: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

But think about it: every day you live, you are one day closer to your death and one day closer to your eulogy. Someone will describe what you did with the years God gave you. That is when the greatest benefit for preachers will be revealed—the speaker will detail the life you lived spreading God’s message of redemption. All the

time, but none of them have better benefits than the ones given to preachers.

- James Hayes, jamesfhayes77@gmail.com

Balancing and Managing Time

“I’m so busy.” “I’ve got too many irons in the fire.” “Just stayin’ busy.”

Additionally, wearing our busyness as a badge of honor is nowhere commended in Scripture. While we are involved in invaluable and eternity-changing work, we honor God most by working hard and taking care of our own spiritual lives, our health, and our families.

How, though, can that be done? When we are involved in an important work, and one in which the work is never truly “done” (every week has a Sunday!), how can we balance and manage our time? We know that Scripture reminds us to be “making the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:16), but we also know that doing so can be a great struggle, even in ministry.

Allow me to share seven basic principles to keep in mind. While each preacher and each ministry situation is different, here are a few things that are still worth considering on a regular basis.

…while work is a Godhonoring thing, overworking is not.

If you ask a preacher how his work is going, you are likely to get an answer like one of those. We like to talk about how busy we are. To some degree, that is good. It is not all good, however.

For one thing, while work is a Godhonoring thing, overworking is not.

First of all, work while you are at work. While the phrase “office hours” is a somewhat hot topic, we understand the concept. Even if you work from home or do not have an office and work “out and about” in various coffee shops and bookstores, actually working is, sadly, a novel concept for far too many. We scroll Twitter, check

headlines, reset fantasy football lineups, and then wonder why our sermon for Sunday did not make much progress today.

instead? I already have an appointment Thursday evening.” (Additionally, you do not have to explain yourself!)

Second, get the “big rocks” done first (or soon thereafter). You will be preaching Sunday, so why wait until Thursday or Friday to get going on the sermon? Start either on Monday or, at least, work on those types of things early in the day so that they are making progress. If you fill up the first part of your day or week with little things, the big things will suffer.

Third, learn to “stealth” work. Are you going to the hospital to visit someone? Why not call a shut-in on the way? Or, while you are making some other visits, listen to sermons instead of sports radio. Memorize (or try to remember) Bible verses while you wait in lines at the store or DMV. There are little windows or pockets of time that, over the course of a few weeks, really start to add up.

Fifth, be okay with saying “no.” Everyone has limits to what can be done effectively and what can be done with their own health and the well-being of their family in view. Do what you can, but when there is not enough time to do something well, it needs to be turned down or delegated. One very practical way to do this is to limit yourself (or ask your elders to limit you) on the number of outside speaking engagements you do. For example, I asked my elders to limit me to one “speaking” Wednesday night each month, including in the summer. That lets me enjoy preparing those lessons and traveling a bit, but not let it get out of control and consume too much of my time. It also gives me a built-in way of kindly declining invitations, or asking them to wait until a later date.

Fourth, mark family time on your calendar. If your kid has a musical on Thursday night, put it on your calendar, so you do not miss it. Then, if someone calls and wants your time on Thursday night, all you have to say is, “Can we do Friday

Sixth, prioritize your wife and children. They are your first ministry. What shall it profit a preacher if he saves the whole city and forfeits his family?

Seventh, use an organization system that works for you. Personally, I used to fall into the trap of hearing or reading about a new time-saving organizational system (such as a filing system) and then spending inordinate amounts of time looking into it, trying it out, and thinking about it. All the while, I had a system that, while not all that cool or up-to-date, worked for me. If you are still a paper-and-filecabinet guy, go with it! If you organize files or other materials on a program such as Evernote, that is fine. Do not waste time trying to save time! As long as it works for you, keep using it. Above all these things, just be reminded of one fact. You already know this, but it can be easy to overlook in the flurry of activity that often is a ministry. That fact is this: you must stay close to God. Do not “do” so many things that you lose nearness with your heavenly Father. That type of busyness most certainly does not glorify Him. In the end, all that will really matter is not how many sermons you preached or visits you made. Instead, it will matter most how near to God you walked. So, when you are asked how your work is going, it is fine to talk about

being busy. Just never get so busy in the work of the Lord that you forget to be a man of the Lord and one who is nearer to Him than ever before. If you do, you are missing out on the greatest blessing of life.

Adam Faughn adfaughn@gmail.com

The 2023 Daily Devotional guide can be ordered now at https:// www.thejenkinsinstitute.com/shop/

orders of 20 or more email us at

-

A Real Job: When Ministry is Trying

“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” 2 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT.

Ministry is a great blessing and at the same time a trying occupation! Most of our days are consumed with our study of God’s Word, prayers over our families and ministries and a constant process of preparation for the next Sunday. I recently read this quote on a website and I don’t know whom to attribute it:

“Ministry is not a career, or a profession. It’s full contact aggression against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world - in the arena of people’s deepest pain.”

There are joyful days, but there are far more dark days. It’s in the dark days that God does His best work. You’ll find yourself in hospital rooms praying. You’ll bury babies. You’ll beg unfaithful husbands to love their wives & children. You’ll look into the sinful,

pride filled eyes of former believers who hate you & Jesus & most of all themselves. It’s humbling and sobering, yet it’s also in these struggles that God’s glory shines through. Shared suffering binds us together in the hope of glory. The darkness of loss, sickness and death intensifies the immense joy of new birth, healing and restoration. Even in the hard times there is hope for the child of God. What a blessing to hold a newborn of a sweet family, growing in grace! Or to celebrate with a group of young Christians as they come to understand the depth of God’s devotion to each one of them! We relish the festivities of overcoming a sinful past.

And yet, trying times return again and again in everyone’s life of ministry. You’ll comfort an old man, trembling as his wife of 60 years takes her last breath. You’ll dig through the debris of a once happy home to find a lifeless body clutching a picture of their children. You’ll enter into pain that’s not your own, you’ll cry tears that no one else will cry. Tempered by the sheer joy of one repentant soul responding to the invitation of the Lord. It’s a treasure we get to participate in, it’s the unfolding of Truth. The contact point of faith, hope and love to a soul escaping the corruption of a sinful world. Jesus comes rushing in! He will lift your eyes. We live and serve under the banner of His great atoning sacrifice. His death, burial & resurrection. His own shared suffering. God participating in our pain, our struggle. He guides us through the darkness into His marvelous light! It’s His great sacrifice that sets our course. His giving of Himself that points us to the same self-giving love that redeems, corrects and calms our lives in ministry.

The gospel is not only God’s power to save mankind, Romans 1:16. It’s His connection to us. His reminder that He is with us in our pain.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT.

You are not alone. The pain you feel is what we all feel. Ministry isn’t for the faint of heart. This brotherhood is bonded by much more than the pain we’ve experienced. It’s a brotherhood founded on the rock of His identity as the One who suffered, bled and died in our place. His triumph over death is your victory as well! In Christ we possess the answer to every pain, every struggle every impossible situation.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will

soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT.

Trying times either make you bitter or they make you better. If you know Jesus, if there’s a hint of His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, His selfcontrol, then you know the glory of His majesty! And that empowers you to stand before His precious people, to proclaim His praises, to walk through the shadow of the valley of death. To take up your cross and bear it again tomorrow! You hold the truth that sets men free! When ministry is trying, rest in the knowledge of His unchanging love, His beautiful sacrifice and His call to keep moving forward!

- Trae Durden, trae.durden@beltlinechurchofchrist.org

Tips for Connecting with Members

Monday—Saturday

Those of us who are preachers spend a considerable amount of time each week brainstorming, reading, studying, reflecting, and writing to produce—on average—two sermons, two Bible classes, and a bulletin article or blog entry. Connecting to God’s Word through the week usually comes easy for us. We love the Bible, and we’re passionate about connecting others to the expectations and assurances of Scripture. Some of us love our “study time” so much that we could easily fill up our entire work week preparing and fine-tuning sermons. After all, we don’t want to be unapproved or ashamed because we failed to handle aright the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). But we know that there’s more to being a preacher in a local congregation than loving and communicating Scripture; being a local preacher also involves, among other things, loving and connecting to our brothers and sisters in Christ, not to mention outsiders. We’re not only engaged in a ministry of God’s Word;

overlook that our people can feel connected to us by simply listening to us preach. During the pandemic, I felt disconnected from those members who chose to worship virtually for a while, but many of them reported that they did not feel disconnected from me because they were able to listen to me online or on the radio. Interesting, huh? Of course, this isn’t to say that they thought online worship was ideal. While they felt connected to me, they did feel somewhat estranged from their church family.

Nevertheless, it’s vitally important that we connect to fellow members outside of our regularly scheduled assemblies. For one thing, making such efforts shows our church family that we genuinely care about them, which increases our influence in the pulpit. For another thing, in a non-assembly setting, most folks seem more willing to express certain concerns, frustrations, or needs, spiritual or otherwise. For still another thing, Monday-thru-Saturday connections have the potential to “humanize” us. No, we don’t wear a suit

all the time. Yes, we sometimes get frustrated and even discouraged. No, we don’t think we’ve got everything figured out. Yes, we are forgiven sinners, too (Rom. 3:10, 23).

Before offering seven tips for connecting with members Monday through Saturday, I have three caveats. First, some of the tips offered may not be—for one reason or another—realistic for you or applicable to your preaching context. What might be possible or preferable in my situation may not necessarily translate to your situation. Second, I have yet to implement everything discussed below. Some of the tips or practices are the fruit of brainstorming for this article. Moreover, I don’t view myself as an expert in the art of connecting to members between assemblies. As such, if you have any tips to share, please send them to my ancient email address above. Third, just as we should strive to maintain some semblance of a balance between our time spent in Scripture and our time devoted to the saints, we must also preserve a balance between being a faithful preacher in the context of our church family and being a devoted husband/father in the context of our immediate family. If an imbalance must exist, let’s make sure it’s in the former and not the latter. Now, for the tips . . .

possible. If a member drops by the office to talk with you, drop what you’re doing. In some instances, this may mean that you’ll have to postpone your studies until after your kids are in the bed later that evening, but seizing opportunities to minister to your brothers and sisters in Christ is indispensable to a successful ministry.

Being a local preacher is about knowing and loving God’s Word and knowing and loving God’s people.

• Prioritize meeting with members who request to meet with you. If a member needs to meet with you for any reason, do your best to meet with them as soon as

• Reach out each week to every member who lands on the prayer list, experiences a loss/gain, reaches a milestone, or achieves something special. If a personal visit is possible, that’s ideal, especially in the case of a hospitalization, funeral, wedding, or birth. If you’re unable to make a visit, don’t underestimate the power of a phone call, and let’s face it, we are living in a world where texting has arguably become the primary channel of communication. While it’s impossible for us to be omnipresent like God, texting allows us to connect to many of our members in a matter of minutes. Just letting your members know that you are praying for them goes a long way. When it comes to birthdays and anniversaries, sending a card with

a handwritten note inside is always appreciated.

• Peruse social media and leave an emoji reaction and/or comment on members’ posts when appropriate. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., are black holes of time, so we must be very careful here. Nonetheless, it’s a good practice to scroll through social media in the morning and afternoon with the intention of interacting with members’ posts. Even here, discernment is crucial. Sometimes our people post or share inappropriate, inaccurate, or tactless things. Our “thumbs up” could reflect poorly on us.

• Post meaningful insights or discoveries from your studies on your preferred social media outlet(s). Many preachers are way better at this than I am, but with such posts, we are inviting our members (not to mention outsiders) to interact or connect with us. In my humble opinion, we should shy away from posting polarizing religious or political content. Such discussions are best done in person, not in a comment section online.

• Look for members everywhere you go during the week, e.g., a ballgame, the funeral home, the grocery store, a gas station, a restaurant, etc. Here’s where my context may not translate to yours. I preach for a congregation of about 300 in a city/town of 12,000.

Just about everywhere I go during the week I am bound to bump into fellow members. Sometimes the setting only allows for a quick exchange of well wishes, but other settings provide an opportunity to strengthen my relationship with a family or individual.

• Attend as many church functions as possible each week. Your congregation, like mine, undoubtedly has several activities for various age groups scheduled each month outside the Sunday and Wednesday assemblies. Be present at these gatherings, even if it means that you can only stay long enough to greet those present. We have a group of ladies that meet every other week to sew hats for cancer patients and dresses for little girls. I can’t sew a straight line to save my life, but I usually try to drop by and briefly catch up with each lady present.

• Create a reasonable rotation for visiting every family or individual in your congregation. This suggestion is probably the most audacious, but it’s worth a look. The goal is to have a meaningful visit with every family or individual in your congregation within a reasonable amount of time. Depending on the size of your congregation, you may be able to meet with every member more than once a year, or you may need two or more years to get to everyone. You

YOU make The Scoop Blog happen. Don’t forget to send scoops to TJI@TheJenkinsInstitute.com

could invite them to your house, or you could invite yourself to their house. In some cases, propriety may dictate meeting with them at the office or at a restaurant. Whatever the case may be, make sure the visit isn’t exclusively superficial or secular; get spiritual. Inquire about their spiritual health or any spiritual concerns they may have, and don’t leave before praying with them.

Being a local preacher is about knowing and loving God’s Word and knowing and loving God’s people. But, to be honest, most of the tips above aren’t just for those of us who are preachers. Imagine if every member of our respective congregations were as committed

“The Neely’s Bend congregation thanks The Scoops program published by the Jenkins for helping us to find a new minister… All respondents came from Scoops. Without this program a minister would be very hard to find. Thank you.” The Elders

to connecting with fellow members as we are. Imagine the effect it would have on the health of our church families. Perhaps looking more like the early church in Acts 2:42-47 isn’t a pipe dream after all.

- Jacob Evans, jacobevans37@hotmail.com

If you were speaking to a young preacher for the last time, what would you say? At the end of his life, Paul charged his young protégé, Timothy, “fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5, NASB). This final section of 2 Timothy contains the apostle’s final inspired written words. It begins with his solemn charge to Timothy.

The chapter begins with the words, “I solemnly charge you.” That is a translation of a form of the verb diamarturomai. According to Bauer, Arndt, and Gingrich, it is defined as “charge, warning.” This was a most solemn charge as it was given “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus.”

That solemnity was intensified by the fact that Christ Jesus will “judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom.”

In his final charge to Timothy, Paul used nine different imperative verbs raising each thought to the level of an inspired command. None of them are optional, none may be omitted in our service to Christ as preachers. While each of the imperatives calls for serious study and reflection, this article is concerned with the ninth; “fulfill your ministry.”

While ministry is a job, it is much more. It is a divine calling that is willingly accepted. Those who have answered the call have committed themselves to a very challenging life.

It’s a Real Job That Demands Real Work: How Laziness Ultimately Affects Our Work

There is not a single moment, day or night, that we are not ministers of the gospel of Christ.

In their book, Ministerial Ethics, Joe E. Trull and James E. Carter remind us that every preacher “knows that a call to become a minister of a church is a call to various tasks” (Ministerial Ethics, 21). Conflict may arise because both church and minister have their expectations and priorities for the job. The two are not always necessarily the same. While that has the potential to create frustration, the preacher must remember that he fulfills his calling by serving a congregation of God’s people (Trull and Carter, 24).

The work of an evangelist is described by Paul as “equipping the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11, 12). That is the ultimate goal toward which we strive. Laziness is one of several things that can sabotage one’s ministry.

unwilling to work, then he is not to eat either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

A minister must prove that he is a follower of Christ to be effective in his proclamation of the gospel. The first of the nine imperative verbs in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 is the command to “preach the word.” That is the heart and soul of what we do. Many hours of diligent study are required to do that in an effective way.

There is no place for laziness in ministry. It is detrimental for several reasons. In the first place, preachers hope to have a good influence on members of the congregation where they work. In those churches, they will preach to people who hold jobs that require them to work forty hours or more per week. A preacher can discredit himself quickly in the eyes of hard-working people if he is slothful. He will appear to be hypocritical when he preaches, “If anyone is

These who preach at every Lord’s Day worship assembly deliver one hundred four sermons every year. Many of us teach Bible class each Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Not including the times when a preacher may take a vacation or when a visiting evangelist preaches, the average minister speaks to the congregation or a Bible class nearly two hundred times every year. That work cannot be done successfully by lazy preachers. On the other hand, if we study diligently, our preaching will reflect a rich depth of Bible knowledge. It is the Bible that provides “the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). If we are going to preach it effectively, we must know it.

Those who have not dug deeply into the Word will never rise above the level of the superficial in their preaching. Those who have will be spiritually enriched themselves. Their lives will reflect a true knowledge of

the Lord and will inspire others to want to know Jesus.

Laziness also sabotages a preacher’s ability to serve the people of God. Serving the Lord’s people is crucial to what we do. Lest anyone object to that idea, remember, Paul told Timothy, “fulfill your ministry.” “Ministry” comes from the accusative case of the word, diakonia. According to the lexicon, it means “service.” It is from the same family of words as diakonios which refers to a “servant.”

Our ministry involves much more than preaching. It includes the encouragement that we give to the people through what we proclaim as well as our own obedience to the Word. The congregation who listens to the preacher proclaim Matthew 25:31-46 has every right to see him practice that text. If a preacher does not walk down the difficult path with the church member whose spouse is fighting a battle with cancer, his words on Sunday ring hollow.

On the other hand, if he expends the necessary energy and takes the required time to minister to those who are hurting, his ministry has great credibility. His work as the Lord’s servant will thrive. If he is willing to spend his time in the home of a lost person, sharing the good news, there will be souls saved as a result of his work. Those things take time, and they require much effort. When you give of yourself to people, whether it

is to the unbeliever or to the person who has been a Christian for decades, they see that you care. When they see that you care, then there is real potential to change lives.

One Sunday a couple visited a congregation. Early the next week, the preacher was in their home making a visit. His simple goal was to thank them for their visit and see if there was any way he could help them. Before he left, they said, “We have visited several congregations in this town, and you are the first preacher who ever bothered to visit us.” Which congregation do you think gained a new family?

Those visits very often lead to evangelistic opportunities. There have been numerous times when an unbeliever has attended with a Christian spouse. A preacher invested the necessary time and energy to make a simple visit. As a result, a soul was taught the gospel and gained the hope of eternal life. If the preacher does not do his “job”, that soul may never come to know Jesus.

Laziness impacts our work in more negative ways than we can imagine. Perhaps it would help us overcome this trait if ministry was viewed, not as a job, but as a calling. Ministry is not what we do, it is who we are. Those who are not willing to fully give of themselves ought to do something else. One cannot be lazy and be an effective servant of Christ and His church.

Ronald Harper, tnharper05@att.net