Jump Start # 4039

1 Thessalonians 3:2 “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith.”

Yesterday in our Jump Start we took a look at the process of hiring a preacher. The N.T. shows us that a preacher can be supported financially, but little is said about the working arrangements and relationship between a preacher and the congregation. Some of this is judgment but it sure seems that a little more thought, prayer and insight ought to be looked at how we do this.

Today, I want to take a look at the “two preacher” arrangement. There needs to be some thought into how this ought to be done. In some situations, because of the way things were handled, instead of having two preachers, the church has no preachers.

First, having two preachers seems to be the flavor of the month. If the work load demands two, then that is great. The purpose is not so the preachers can do less work. Having a second full time preacher ought to increase the volume of work being done. One man can carry so many boxes. But with another man, working side by side, even more boxes can be carried.

So, the first thing to be considered, is “Why do we need two preachers?” If that can’t be answered, then maybe this idea ought to be put to rest. Just because other congregations do is not a reason for you to do this.

Second, the purpose for the second preacher needs to be defined. Is the bulk of his work to be evangelism, overseas work, or side by side with the current preacher? Just hiring a second preacher without knowing what he is to do will create problems. The work expectations ought to be defined and outlined clearly.

The purpose of the second preacher will define what age of preacher the church is looking for. If it is a legacy program, then the new preacher will learn the culture of that church and in time as the other preacher retires, then the work will continue on. That is the model we follow here at Charlestown Road. I am retiring. But because we brought on a wonderful and powerful preacher eight years ago, the work won’t skip a beat. In time, a younger man will be found and things will continue on and even get better.

If the purpose is not legacy, then two men of the same age may work.

Third, this is ESSENTIAL and skipping this point determines whether having a second preacher is a dream or a nightmare. The current preacher must take the lead in finding someone to work with him. He must be the point man in this. Much too often, elderships will hire another preacher without consulting the current preacher. Their personalities may clash. They may not even like each other. There may be doctrinal differences. Hiring another preacher without the input of the current preacher is much like a shotgun wedding. And, in most cases, it doesn’t take very long until that church has no preachers.

Let the current preacher take the lead. He needs to listen to dozens of sermons. He needs to have many phone conversations. Once he has narrowed down the list to the one he really is interested in, then they need to talk about all the hot button topics to see if they are on the same page. Work ethic, attitudes, relationship all plays into this greatly. Then, and only, then, the prospective second preacher needs to be invited to sit down with the eldership. Lots of conversations. Lots of transparency. Lots of understanding each other and what is expected. How is the new preacher gong to fit in and how is his role going to be presented to the church. Will the second preacher always seem like “Junior?” Will they be considered equals? Among them, they have to understand, some will like one better than the other. And, some won’t like either one of them. How they handle this, their spirit has a lot to do with the success of the work. Are they forever in competition or are they fellow laborers?

When done well, it is beautiful. When not done well, it’s a disaster. Large congregations that are really growing and busy in the kingdom, need all the hands possible to do the work well. Excellence in the kingdom needs to be expected in all areas.

How can we extend the borders of the kingdom is the thought that needs to be running through this process. We have been blessed and we need to do more. To whom much is given, much is required. Content with average and normal is not acceptable when it comes to kingdom work. Do all that we can for the Lord who gave His all for us.

I have been a part of two-preacher arrangements on three different occasions. One was a disaster, without any expectations, understandings or transparency. No one knew what was going on. One was so-so. And, the one I am involved with now is the best. And, one reason it is the best is that we followed the steps necessary to make everything smooth, clear and transparent. We both have our lanes that we operate in. I do my work and he does his work. Together, we are on the same page. We are there for each other. We are more than fellow preachers and co-laborers. We are good friends. We have vacationed together, eaten zillions of meals together, been in each other’s homes, and have had wonderful deep discussions about kingdom work.

The church can sense when there is tension within the eldership or among the preachers. But, when everyone is working well, they are friends with each other, and all have the spirit of the Lord about them, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing. People want to be part of such a congregation.

May these words help. If you have questions reach out to me (Rogshouse@aol.com).

Roger

Jump Start # 4036

2 Thessalonians 3:7 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example; because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you.”

Throwback Thursday: an article years ago

Pitchin’ Horseshoes on Sunday

Horseshoes is a fun game. It is found more in the country than on the racquetball courts and golf courses of the city. I’ve known many a horseshoe thrower. I’ve seen my father pitch a fair shoe before. My grandfather could really hit the stake dead and true.

There was a time when the game of horseshoes caused quite a stir in a local church. I’ve been reading “The history of the Hillsboro church of Christ.” This congregation located near New Castle, Indiana, is the oldest existing congregation in the state. It was established in 1839.

On page 80 of this booklet, I found, “Looking over old records we find reasons for excommunication of unruly members—some of them as follows: drunkenness, joining Dunkard or Baptist churches, disorderly conduct, not living with a wife, non-attendance, betting on the premises, attending dances, playing horse-shoes on Sunday.”

There you have it. Drunkenness. This is a pure violation of God’s word. Joining the Dunkards. That’s certainly not allowed by Epesians 4 and the one body, one faith, and one baptism. Disorderly conduct. That’s the reason Paul gives in 2 Thes 3 for withdrawing from members. Not living with your wife. That’s is wrong according to 1 Cor. 7. Non-attendance is discussed in Hebrews 10:25. Betting on the premises. That is pretty bold and brazen. Gambling is against the work ethic and manifests selfishness and a love of money, all of which the Bible condemns. Dancing is often associated with lasciviousness. It is the breeding ground of many other kinds of sin. I don’t have any problems understanding why the saints at Hillsboro moved on such matters. They wanted to keep the purity within the body of Christ.

But the last one, playing horseshoes on Sunday, stumped me. I can’t quite figure this one out. Did these brethren see something evil about horseshoes? I thought about this for a long time. We are to shun every appearance of evil. Is this what they saw in horseshoes? Evil companions corrupt good morals (1 Cor. 15:33). Was the problem not so much the game but who they were playing with?

Then I thought, why did they mention playing on Sunday? Was the game itself okay, but their choice of day was wrong? Pitchin’ the shoe on a Saturday is fine, just don’t do it on a Sunday. Sunday used to be real special. One never did any work on Sunday. Stores were closed. About the only place you could go was to the church house. Possibly some daring members braved themselves to pitch a few shoes on Sunday. Strong stewards of the church must have either caught them in the act or heard ‘pitchin’ talk in the house of worship.

However it happened, some brethren were withdrawn from for pitchin’ the shoe on Sunday. No mention is made in the history of their return to a proper standing with the Hillsboro brethren.

In all of this I learned some interesting things about us:

1. One generation does not always understand what another generation does. I haven’t found any Biblical reason to withdraw from people for throwing horseshoes on Sunday. Horseshoes, as I understand it, is an innocent game that a lot of people enjoy. The Bible no where calls Sunday the “Sabbath.” It is special to the Christian. It is the day he will gather with other saints to worship and especially to partake of the Lord’s Supper. But there are no restriction placed upon Sunday as to one’s travel, activities or eating. I’m sure the folks at Hillsboro had good reasons for having to withdraw from others because of horseshoes on Sunday. I don’t understand it. Too often one generation is much too critical of another generation. We hear stories or read one man’s perspective of what happened and immediately we are ready to draw conclusions as if we were there ourselves. Withdrawing because of horseshoes on Sunday still doesn’t tell us the whole story.

I wonder what other generations would think of the religious world of our times. The style of our preachers. Our concerns. Our brotherhood papers. The brotherhood itself. They may not fully understand why we do what we do, as I have a difficult time understanding withdrawing because of horseshoes on Sunday, but it is essentially important that we know what we are doing and that it is based upon the word of God (Col. 3:17).

2. God’s word does not change through the years. Old Israel was instructed to teach their children the law so that their children’s children would be faithful to the Lord (Deut 6:2).

Purity is still important within the local church. It must be maintained through preaching and, yes, through the practice of discipline. Man still needs to believe the old Gospel story to be saved.

Roger

August, 1993