We are here tonight on serious business. I have the privilege and responsibility of speaking to you concerning the church and minister relationship.
The church, as we know it, was founded on the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, but it was in the plan of God from eternity past. At first, there was the church and 12 co-pastors, there in Jerusalem. But as we turn the pages of Scripture, we see the church soon began to develop and become more complex. When we get to Acts 6, we see the advent of deacons. They were not called deacons at that point, but they were at least the prototypes for deacons, and they were ordained to fulfill a needed ministry of taking care of some physical needs that would have at best divided the preacher’s time, and at worst, pulled them away from what God had called them to do. Then, as you get on over into the Scriptures, we see teachers and other officers being installed.
You see where this is going, don’t you? The church has continued in this pattern of development, and as the society has become more complex, it has become needful for the church to become more complex, also.
Today, churches have various ministers, who undertake responsibilities in many different areas. I’m thankful for the wonderful people in churches who volunteer their time, and talent, and energies to do some many of the things that need to be done. No church could operate without them. As valuable as these folks are to a local church, there are some areas that rise to such a high level of importance that we believe we are best served to have someone with the call of God on his life to be at the helm of it.
So tonight, it is our purpose to ordain Bro. John Doe to the ministry of the gospel of Christ. You have called him to guide your youth ministry.
John, allow me to speak to a few things that I consider to be imperative for a man of God to have as qualities of his life and ministry:
Be Content, 5-10
We all know how necessary money is, but the good news is that God knows it, too; and, as Ph.4:13 says, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He commonly does this through the obedience and generosity of God’s people.
Contentment is not about already having everything, it’s about trusting God for everything. 1Pe.5:7 tells us to cast all our care upon the Lord, because He cares for us. If people could just get a hold of that truth in their minds and hearts, their stress levels would go way down!
Be Clean, v11
A minister is nothing without his integrity. 1Pe.5:3 says “not as being lord over those entrusted to you, but being an example to the flock.” In our text we are told to pursue this list of godly qualities, and we could never over emphasize how important it is. It grieves me to think about how many people in ministry have fallen to immorality in recent years.
Be Consistent, v12
I don’t have to tell you that this is not just for Sunday, or when you are at church. I have seen your life over a long enough time to know the kind of man you are. I have every confidence that you are consistent in your walk with the Lord, and you are consistent in your love and dedication to your wife and family. And doesn’t he have a great family? Your dedication to your family is a visual indicator of your dedication to the other important areas of life, all of which come under the umbrella of your dedication to God.
Be Committed, v20
Something very important has been committed to you, by the Lord and by this church. You could never be too committed to it.
We live in a time when people are being taught many erroneous things about where we came from, what we’re doing here, and where we’re going; about what it means to be a good man or a good woman. You are in a position to help set the record straight in the minds of young people at a very critical time in their lives.
Now, very quickly, I have a few words for the church concerning you.
Respect his calling.
I firmly believe in God called ministers, as I know you do.
When we believe that God has called a minister to do what he does, then we need to realize that it is our calling to encourage him all we can, and to be careful not to do anything that would be hurtful or discouraging to him.
A God-called minister is not to be dealt with as you would with any other employee on any other job. Certainly, if there is an issue of immorality on the part of a minister, the church must deal with that. If there is erroneous doctrine being taught by a minister, the church cannot allow that. But I would be so bold as to say that if a minister seems to be unsatisfactory in other ways, you’d better tread very carefully as how you deal with it.
If a minister isn’t satisfactory, God knows it, and He has a lot of ways to move him out. When David had been running from Saul, and Saul wanted to kill him, there were instances when David clearly had the drop on Saul, and nobody would have blamed David if he had killed Saul. But David said, “I will not lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” And if you know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, God took care of David’s problem with Saul.
Regard his reputation
There are some people who can’t wait to speak negatively about someone. You’ve been around folks like that. You don’t have to be around them but just a couple of minutes, and they are spouting negative things about the program of the church, the people of the church, and the leaders of the church. I think we would do well to just tell people we don’t want to hear it.
1Ti.5:19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” In other words, don’t allow somebody to bend your ear with things that they would never say to the person’s face they are talking about!
Repay his faithfulness
Help him. Student ministry is such that a lot of people have to get involved. Be one of those who are willing to roll up your sleeves and help.
I know enough about this church to know I don’t have to labor this point, at all. You folks care very much about this next generation, and I commend you for that.
Compliment him. When he does a good job, tell him.
Support him financially. The laborer is worthy of his hire. Paying a good, effective minister doesn’t cost the church, it pays!
Pray for him. He is not simply an activities director, but he is a minister of the gospel of Christ to students.
Spiritual ministry requires spiritual power and blessings, and that comes through prayer, not just John’s own prayers, but your prayers for him, as well.
I guess when you add it all up, what I’m encouraging you to do is to just love him and respect him and do your best to help him. And, that‘s really what every one of us are supposed to do for one another.
