NO TIME TO DRAW BACK
By Al Diestelkamp
Congregations
which are known to be able to support their local preacher, pay other
expenses and still have money left are constantly being asked to help
support preachers in needy areas.
No doubt, having to consider
these requests and judge between them has to be a wearisome task. As a
result, some congregations have begun to draw back when it comes to
supporting preachers other than their own.
There may be
the feeling by some in the larger congregations that they don’t see
enough progress in the needy fields. Before you reach that conclusion
let me challenge your thinking.
Look at the progress locally.
I’m talking about the progress you’ve had where you worship. Don’t
expect more growth (proportionally) than what you’ve experienced.
Theoretically, a congregation of 100 should have at least twice the
potential as a congregation of fifty. Do you expect more from others
than you do of yourselves?
Consider circumstances fairly.
Many circumstances are somewhat beyond our control. The cost-of-living
in one area may be much higher than in another. This may be due
primarily to the cost of housing. The higher the cost-of-living, the
more it costs to have a preacher work there. Not only that, but it
probably costs more for a meeting place, which gives the small
congregation less to pay a preacher.
Suppose you had to start
over in your community with only a handful of members. Most likely you
would be forced to meet in a home or rented space, lacking full use and
only make-shift classrooms. Whether you like it or not, the people you
are trying to reach judge you as a “fly-by-night” group, not giving you
a chance to teach them. Now, suppose you decide you need a building.
You look hard and long but there are no existing buildings in your
price range and a bare lot large enough to have a modest building costs
$65,000. How long do you think it will be before you can support a
preacher?
This kind of situation exists in many cities across
our nation. In fact, I have used the situation where I work as a model
for the preceding scenario and it has been our experience that land
prices are rising faster than we can save. If churches in areas like
this are ever to be self-sufficient they will have to have some
long-term help in the support of preachers.
Some have suggested
that churches in that kind of environment should not build buildings.
That would be fine except that the cost of rented commercial space is
usually prohibitive. If a permanent meeting place is not an asset in
the work of the Lord then self-sufficient congregations would do well
to sell their buildings and meet in schools and lodge halls.
The
other solution I have heard on occasions is that congregations which
are not able to support a preacher should do without. Of course, there
are congregations where this would work well. When there are several
local men who have the time and ability to preach, teach and work
another job, this is a viable alternative, but that is the
exception—not the rule. It is more likely that larger congregations
which are able to support a preacher could do without one easier than a
small, struggling group. I am not suggesting that large congregations
should do without a preacher, but trying to show the absurdity of
suggesting that small congregations should be satisfied to do without.
Occasionally
a question is raised concerning the support of a preacher in a
congregation which is trying to buy or build a meeting place: “If we
support their preacher so that they can afford to get a church
building, aren’t we paying for their building?” The answer is no! There
is scriptural authority for a preacher to “rob other churches” in order
to serve another (2 Cor. 11:8). The context indicates that Corinth
could have supplied “what was lacking,” but that other brethren
supplied it instead (vs. 9).
There is no doubt that the task of
raising and maintaining support has become more difficult in recent
years. This has caused many capable preachers to leave the more needy
fields in favor of places where support is not a problem. The
Macedonian call, “Come over . . . and help us” (Ac. 16:9) is most often
met with the preacher asking, “Are you self-supporting?” Of course, the
preacher has to know the answer to that question, but too often the
answer causes him to look elsewhere rather than to consider the
possibilities.
Respond to the world’s apathy.
Congregations large and small have likely noticed declining interest
among people of the world toward the pure gospel of Christ. Most are
looking for “a church of their choice” rather than the Lord’s church.
Our reaction to this must be increased—not decreased—activity. It will
not be to God’s glory if we maintain large churches where they have
existed for decades and neglect the work in other areas of the nation
and world.
On one occasion the apostle Paul urged a congregation
to be doing what they began, and to complete the doing of it (2 Cor.
8:10-11). Though he was writing about a different matter, I believe the
same needs to be said of our efforts in the support of the gospel.
Churches
which have preachers who are supported by other brethren need to show
their appreciation. They would do well to express their gratitude to
the churches which are supporting their preacher. They also should
resolve to do what they can to do their part. This should include
eagerly looking forward to the day when they are able to “return the
favor” by actively seeking out faithful men to support in gospel work
beyond their own walls.
Back to Top
COSMIC LONLINESS
By David Diestelkamp
Decades
ago, entire cities flashed their lights hoping to signal distant
creatures in space. When the technology developed, radio signals were
beamed into deep space. Men hunkered over radios twenty-four hours a
day, dreaming of receiving an alien reply. A recent report stated that
the total lack of extra-terrestrial response has lead to mankind
feeling “cosmic loneliness.”
Upon hearing this I couldn’t help
but think of Ephesians 2:12, “that at that time you were without
Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from
the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
This is a description of the ultimate loneliness! I believe mankind
feels this emptiness and is looking for the solution. It’s good that
man is looking “up,” but it is unfortunate that he doesn’t realize that
it is he who is the alien; he who is the stranger; he who is without
Christ, without hope and without God in the world.
Mankind’s
most recent widely publicized attempt to solve its “cosmic loneliness”
comes in the form of some material about the size of the period at the
end of this sentence, on a rock supposedly ejected from Mars many
thousands of years ago. It’s going to be tough to develop much of a
relationship with this questionable matter, but some will try.
Scripture goes on to provide the true solution: “But now in Christ
Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of
Christ” (Eph. 2:13). Christians don’t fear the loneliness in which the
world is floundering.
Man’s relationship with a dot of matter
supposedly from Mars cannot compare to the relationship we have with
God through the blood of Christ! Yes, look up to learn that we are not
alone. But look beyond Mars and this universe to the living God. Back to Top
FOLLOW-UP ON BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
By Andy Diestelkamp
Earlier this year I wrote an article (Another Way to Kill Babies, Think, Vol. 28 No. 1) in which the abortifacient potential of the common birth control pill was documented.
While
these pills are designed to prevent ovulation (the monthly release of
an egg), they also “change the characteristics of the uterus so that it
is not receptive to a fertilized egg” (FDA Consumer,
May 1976). This secondary mode is abortive. Should
ovulation and fertilization occur (and they do occasionally), the newly
conceived child would not likely successfully implant in the womb. It
is this method of making the womb inhospitable that is the primary mode
of RU-486, the mini-pills and the IUD.
These latter methods have
been appropriately opposed over the years by those who value life from
conception. Consistency demands that we therefore oppose the ordinary
birth control pills which also have the same potential mode of
operation.
It is possible that you may think that I’m not
talking about the birth control pills that you, your wife, your sister
or your mother are taking, but I am. I know of no birth control pill
that only attempts to stop ovulation but leaves the womb hospitable
just in case fertilization takes place. In the inset box is a listing
of all the current brand-names of which I am aware. If you take these
pills, then you should stop immediately if you are sexually active! How
odd that last sentence must look to the worldly, but it is just one way
in which our peculiarity as Christians is manifested. We are more
concerned about potentially aborting an unintended pregnancy than
having the convenience of “sex without consequences”...aren’t we?
Of
course, I stand ready to be corrected. If you have information that
contradicts what I have said, then please educate me. This sincere plea
accompanied the first article that I wrote on this, and I have received
no information to the contrary. It is not my intention to make this
issue a hobby of mine, but as long as
I know of such practices among saints and don’t hear of it
being denounced by others it is a hobby that I’ll ride into the sunset
without apology.
How bold we can be against those who operate
the abortion clinics and those who seek the approval and production of
RU-486 here in this country! How silent we have been with regard to our
own practices. “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those
practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the
judgment of God?” (Rom. 2:3). Brothers and sisters, it’s past time to
speak up.
Back
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ACCEPTING & SPEAKING TRUTH
By Al Diestelkamp
A
three-year-old grandson was staring at me. Finally, he said, “Grandpa,
you’re big!” For some reason, I had a feeling that he wasn’t referring
to my five-foot-nine stature towering over him. Then, as if to clarify,
he said, “You have a big tummy.”
As if that “pot shot” wasn’t
bad enough, another three-year-old grandson was recently being quizzed
as to the age of different people he knew, Finally he was asked, “How
old is Grandpa?” He looked at me and said, “He’s a bunch of olds.”
I
couldn’t help but marvel at how naturally little children speak the
truth, and how we don’t take offense when they point out something
obvious. They hadn’t told me anything I didn’t already know. There are
mirrors in my house.
One reason we can accept the unvarnished
truth from a child is that we know he means no harm. If only we could
learn to have the same attitude toward the preaching of truth. If
preaching is from God’s word we can rest assured that God means no harm.
The
apostle Paul had to tell some Galatian Christians the truth that he
feared for them because they were putting confidence in observing “days
and months and seasons and years” (Gal. 4:10-11). He must have
anticipated that some would be insulted by this truth so he asked the
rhetorical question, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell
you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16).
Perhaps telling the truth
concerning people’s spiritual life is just another way we could learn
to “become as little children” (Matt 18:3). Back to Top
CALLING ALL EVANGELISM SPECIALISTS!
COME SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE
By Al Diestelkamp
Every
faithful child of God rejoices when other Christians experience success
in evangelistic efforts. It is only natural that our desire to bear
fruit should prompt us to want to develop and use any authorized
techniques which would bring similar results in our own areas.
As
a result, a few preachers have a reputation for being “specialists” in
evangelistic techniques and church growth. They have developed series
of sermons or classes to train and motivate Christians to greater
service. Churches all over our nation call them in to train their
members.
This is good, and to the extent that it has caused
increased efforts in evangelism, I rejoice. Each soul who has been
saved was worth the time, effort and expense (see Matt. 16:26).
However,
along with the good, a very few of these specialists have done
disservice on occasions. Instead of teaching us additional methods of
evangelism, they “put down” methods which have stood the test of time.
Instead
of being an encouragement to the local preacher, implications are made
in remarks to members of the congregation that he is not doing his job.
There may be cases where the preacher isn’t working like he should, but
I doubt someone from outside can fairly make such a judgment after
being around him for a few days.
Occasionally there is displayed
a condescending attitude toward preachers and teachers who do not
employ “cutting edge” methods. I welcome and applaud (silently) the new
breed of teachers, but I resist the idea that every preacher must
conform in style in order to be effective.
If there is any
general criticism I would raise about those who go around teaching
evangelism workshops, it is that they seem too careful where they
locate. If they are as effective as they are regarded it seems that
they should be able to be especially helpful in areas where the church
is numerically weak.
Will any one of them come to one of the
many struggling congregations, some of which are forced to meet in
rented halls or homes, and show us how to be effective?
I’m
not suggesting a weekend workshop where he tells us how to be
evangelistic. I’m asking if he’ll join us “in the trenches” at least
long enough to show us how it is best done.
I will be happy to
supply a list of congregations where such a person might be welcome if
he were of a mind to accept the challenge. Back
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