Caring For God's Servants
As Baptists, we treasure the truth of the autonomy of each local Baptist church. There is no human authority that supersedes spiritual decisions made by the membership of a local congregation. No political or ecclesiastical government has the jurisdiction to override spiritual choices made by local churches. Throughout the years, however, Baptist churches have voluntarily united in fellowships and associations in an effort to accomplish together what an individual congregation might not be able to perform singly. In the 17th century, the Abingdon Association of Baptist churches gathered in Tetsworth, England, to consider matters of mutual concern in the associated local churches. One of the matters to be considered was remuneration and (financial) support of pastors in the various local churches. The minutes are of specific interest:
“It hath been for some time sadly observed by us that there hath appeared a great neglect in the churches in taking care to provide a maintenance for the comfortable supply of a ministry, according to what the rule doth require, which hath brought some to pinching poverty, run others upon desperate temptations and occasioned some to fall into sinful disorders to the dishonour of their high and holy calling. And we fear, made the work of the ministry not only uncomfortable to the teachers but unprofi table to the hearers...We have lately received an account...of the poor and low condition of several brethren employed in the work of the ministry in the western churches which, although modestly and sparingly expressed...yet from what was said, we could not but gather that their want is very great. And the want of a comfortable supply for themselves and their families is a great discouragement to them in the work of the Lord and an obstruction to the propagation of the Gospel among the churches and to the world...”
I have no idea what response the individual churches of the Abingdon Association had to the request of the association members, but the problem of the pastors’ financial remuneration has continued until this day. Though it is told jokingly, it is suggested that a deacon once prayed concerning his pastor in the following manner, “Lord, you keep him humble, and we’ll keep him poor.” Pastors have many demands upon them. 
Society expects them to dress as though they were business men. They must have reliable transportation that will not fail them in visitation both to homes and hospitals. Their tools are not available on sale at the local hardware store, for their tools form an expensive library. They must be well read if they are to lead well! The pastor entertains and usually such expenses come from his own budget. The perks known in business are unknown in the pastorate, and even the annual cost of living that is expected today in the union shop and business office is often unknown in the ministry. By the way, a godly man is not hired; rather, he is called. I have observed that when God’s people lovingly care for their pastor’s financial needs, he usually reciprocates with service that is beyond cost. How is your pastor being cared for?
excerpted from This Day in Baptist History III
by Dr. David L. Cummins
Used by Permission
Pastors and Wives' Retreat
The annual Pastors and Wives Retreat was held Feb. 18-19, 2008, at Twin City Baptist Church in Marinette in spite of a 12" snowfall the day before. Pastor Matt DeCleene and his assistant, Sam Choi organized the event and were gracious hosts to about 20 couples. Dr. Doug McLaughlan was the keynote speaker, encouraging the pastors with messages along the theme, "Supremacy of the Word." Pastor Mark and Lori Ring organized a get-acquainted fun time on Monday afternoon, including a "newlyweds-style" game tailored just for pastors and their wives. What a blessing it was to enjoy music from several Northland Baptist Bible College students, and to sing heartily with songleader Kris Stauf from Bay City Baptist in Green Bay. In addition to the evening meal served by TCBC, area churches provided snacks for fellowship times. One of the main blessings of a retreat just for pastors and their wives is fellowship and camaraderie. Make plans now to attend the 2009 PW Retreat at Camp Joy in Whitewater, Wisconsin on Feb. 16-17.
President's Message
I John 3:16 states, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered love them anyway! Remarkable changes usually take place in people when they realize that they are loved. We all want to be loved, to be needed and to be cared for. However, to turn that around and to care for another with the same commitment isn’t so easy. Most human beings are so tuned in to their “own pains” that they cannot get enough “out of themselves” to love to any great extent. When our experience of God’s love is daily and life changing, then our capacity to love others will also be growing! A turning point takes place in a pastor’s life when the inner stirrings in his heart lead him to give himself to help another even if that person does not deserve such care. Please consider five significant principles that will help us care for others.
#1 Prayer: In prayer we should ask, how can I best encourage and reassure without being misunderstood. There must be the prayer of preparation. Learning how to care is a by-product of a healthy daily devotional practice, of feeding on God’s Word and communicating with Him in prayer. This daily practice will condition us and motivate us to express love. A prayer of direction simply asks God to show us the one to whom we should minister today. Through intercession we learn that it is possible to impact others through prayer alone.
#2 Contact: Telephone companies had it right when they said, Reach Out and Touch Someone! As our Savior’s representatives, we are to be God’s instruments of blessing.
We are to be His hands, feet and voice. (2 Corinthians 5:20). To practice contact means that there are times we need to invite folks to our home, go out for a snack, have a short phone conversation…just to “reach out and touch someone.”
#3 Listening: Many people are hurting behind their smiling exteriors. They may know all the “pat” answers to the problems of life, yet for some reason that hasn’t helped! They ask, “Does anybody care?” 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.” When people “out there” don’t seem to care, we tend to doubt about “up there”, too. We should feel secure to give open verbal expressions of our hurts to at least one other person in our fellowship of believers.
#4 Helping: Romans 12:7, “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry: or he that teacheth, on teaching.” When God’s love is within us, we will express love, because divine love cannot remain silent. People are waiting for someone to get involved with them where they live and where they work. A greeting on the church step may be a good start, but it is simply not enough. The suffering person may go his way, still wondering if he could confide in or rely on this greeter. When we stop to care we often discover that we can be used of God in simple but effective ways.
#5 Encouragement: Someone once said, “People are a lot like eggs, we may look tough on the outside but we’re pretty easily cracked.” We must care! Deliberate, thoughtful expressions to uplift other people whether face to face, by telephone, written note or carefully selected card provide great encouragement. We must demonstrate the “one another” principle found throughout the Word of God. I am personally challenged to pray for wisdom in knowing whom to help as well as to speak a word of encouragement to those I come in contact with every day. I challenge you pastors: Reach out and demonstrate God’s love in day-by-day expressions of godliness as you interact with your congregation.
-Dr. Robert Loggans
WFBC President