An analysis of the counsel given by the apostle Paul to the elders at Miletus reveals the solemn responsibilities of the overseer, or pastor, of the church. These responsibilities are greatly multiplied in our large city churches. Paul's counsel is, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28.
Doubtless the most important phase of this counsel is found in the first clause, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves." If this is done in humility and faith, the other requirements will be met in their regular sequence. But what an array of questions this clause brings to the worker's mind. Am I called to this work of overseer? Who has called me? Do I have a strong and abiding conviction of this call ? Am I qualified for this most important work? Wherein I lack in qualification, will I diligently seek God and in faith lay hold of His wisdom and enabling power? Am I willing to pay the price of being an overseer for God? Am I willing to do those things in connection with my work for which I have no liking? Am I willing to make the sacrifices for which my work calls in order to be a leader and an example? Am I willing to be a minuteman for God?
If the worker can answer these questions in the affirmative, then God will use him and make him a successful overseer. He will be given the qualities brought to view in this paragraph from Gospel Workers, and will be united to Jesus by His Spirit, under which union failure is impossible.
"Courage, energy, and perseverance they must possess. Though apparent impossibilities obstruct their way, by His grace they are to go forward. Instead of deploring difficulties, they are called upon to surmount them. They are to despair of nothing and to hope for everything. With the golden chain of His matchless love, Christ had bound them to the throne of God. It is His purpose that the highest influence in the universe, emanating from the Source of all power, shall be theirs. They are to have power to resist evil, power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master, power that will enable them to overcome as Christ overcame."—Page 39.
Filled with the consciousness of this calling of God, and His enabling power, the worker will go forth to success. He will take heed to all the flock. If all the flock is to be given proper oversight, then the pastor will realize that he must carry a full-rounded program, not neglecting any phase of the work to which he is called. In his congregation are individuals with varying talents and interests, and all these must be enlisted in the service of the Master. They must be trained and put to work. No individual or group can be neglected without loss to the church, and grave danger of eternal loss. By promoting all lines of church activity all members are harnessed as yokefellows with Christ in service. Service for the Master is the surest way of holding the individual church member to the message, and gives assurance to the pastor that he will not be called to account for the loss of that soul.
Promoting All Lines of Endeavor
The worker must always remember that when he accepted the call of God through our church organization, he thereby accepted the responsibility of promoting all lines of endeavor appointed by the General Conference. He cannot conclude that this or that line of activity is important or nonimportant, and neglect any of them at his own discretion. Only a fully rounded program will bring about God's purpose for the church and produce maximum fruitage.
Organization of the church for such fruitage is closely connected with the feeding of the flock, because proper exercise must go hand in hand with proper spiritual diet if the individual is to maintain good health. The pastor must feed his congregation with the Word of Life. He must fully indoctrinate the flock with the message. The fundamentals of the gospel must frequently be repeated in varied settings and outline, in order fully to impress its import upon the flock. The minister must be first and always a man of God, full of faith, courage, zeal, and knowledge, and a leader in every good work.
In his second article Elder Schleifer will discuss organization of the church for efficient service, and the raising of funds with minimum interference and distraction from reverence and worship in the preaching service.—EDITOR.
