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Being a pastor should not be a “Stand-alone” job!
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Faithful men of the church can step up to the plate and be a powerful resource from God in the ministry of their pastor. The following article is from the UMM sponsored Think-Tank 4, a gathering of pastors, all recipients of the Freeman Leadership Award, recognized for their ability to be effective in ministry to and with men.
These dedicated men assembled at Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, North Carolina and shared insights from their experiences with the work of the men of the local church.
Here you will find real ways that men of the local church can stand up with their pastor in the work of the kingdom.
STRONG MEN CAN HELP THE PASTOR
by Rev. Dr. George R. Freeman
North Springs United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA
We traveled long miles today… we feel guilty about leaving behind a lot of things we need to be doing for our families and churches… We’ve tried to settle down from the exhausting drive over unfamiliar roads… We’ve looked at the other participants in wonder as we gathered to eat a delicious meal.
Then we went to the Chapel to worship God in this beautiful mountain retreat with Lake Chatuge stretching before us reflecting the sunset. He Rev. William “Billy” Jarrett called our spirits to wait before the Lord in anticipation.
Before the first major presentation, we sit quietly awhile and listen to the silence. Close your eyes to feel the awesome wonder of just being… and of being here.
Focus now on some of the male friends you have had in your churches. Bring their faces up. Smile as you remember what they meant to you and how you were encouraged by them. Tarry to thank God from these special men.
As you run your mind over the years of your ministry, what are some of the things you wish that men had done to assist you?
Then we brainstormed the theme for the hours we were together. We noted ideas which flowed quickly out of our minds as some ways Strong Men can Help the Pastor.
- Mentor the pastor in areas where he has no training or experience…
- Men of faith who will pray with and for the pastor on a regular basis as one of the Prayer Warriors to build a shield of protection around the pastor…
- Men who will be Friends who can be counted on…
- Men who will take general leadership in the church, serving wherever they are needed…
- Men who will affirm and express appreciation for the pastor as he/she matures in skill and grows in judgment…
- Men who are willing to be part of an accountability group who will be honest with the pastor…
- Men who will open doors for the pastor to have access into the community…
- Men who will be cultural ambassadors to interpret the community to the pastor…
- Men who will go the second mile in evangelism by going door to door, making surveys, and gathering information about the needs of the people as they invite families to be a part of the church…
- Men who will visit shut-ins and sick people in the hospital or at home in the name of the church and the pastor because he/she cannot possibly be everywhere or meet all the expectations of the congregation…
- Men who are willing to stand before the congregation in services of worship and serve as a Lay Liturgist..
These ideas were evaluated and refined. Out of them grew four projects which were explored in greater depth in the periods allotted for exploration. Fresh thoughts exploded as the days progressed. The schedule revolved around worship, probing the minds and experiences of each other, learning from the major presentations, stimulating ideas around the four projects grew, and giving guidance in capturing the essence of the Clergy Think-Tank Report #4 to be distributed to the leaders of United Methodist Men in the Southeast and around the nation.
A complete copy of the contribution of all the participants in the fourth annual Think-Tank can been seen on this site. Click for access to useful and inspired articles from all the participants.
click for a printable .pdf of this article |
