Volume 46 Number 6 February 2004
As Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, he commented, "One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind." A transmission error omitted the "a" from the now famous quotation. Grander than astronauts are God's proclaimers of the word! God especially looks with favor on the feet of those who bring the gospel (Romans 10:14-15). To accept the role of an evangelist is a humble step for a man, but a giant advance for the brotherhood. Since we are to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), congregations of faith will encourage others to become evangelists, elders, and deacons.
Every generation is responsible for training and encouraging others to proclaim the word of God. Actually this is true of any ministry or area of service: we need good mentors to model both behavior and attitude. If there are no mentors, there are no successors. The Apostle Paul exhorted the young evangelist Timothy: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).
It seems we also have had a transmission error assuming that evangelists receive a special call. We are all called by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), and when we obey the gospel we call upon God, his authority and his grace (Acts 22:16). As was true in Jesus' day, so it is today, "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few " (Matthew 9:37). What would prompt a person to choose any profession? Excellence in the performance of duties and a love for the work compel us to say, "This is my calling in life." Encouraging words along the way help in the determination. Honest and frank appraisals-from evangelists who train and elders who ordain-confirm decisions.
What would be impediments in even considering the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:1-5)? Open and constant complaining, especially in front of children, about all that is wrong with the church will not motivate people to enter full-time ministry. In fact, it may not motivate them to stay in the church at all! Further, any laborer is worthy of his hire (1 Corinthians 9:7-12), and one must be able to support his family (1 Timothy 5:8). Hanging on my study wall is a nicely stitched reminder that: "Working for the Lord doesn't pay much, but the retirement plan is out of this world!" Astronomical expectations and demands on evangelists must be evaluated in the light of scripture.
What are we doing to encourage and prepare evangelists, elders, deacons, and teachers? Let me offer some practical actions for congregations and individuals.
Elders, please realize that the rate of governmental travel in Missouri is $.29 a mile. To compensate fairly a man for even the wear and tear on his car for a 300 mile roundtrip would be $87.00. Most evangelists, even if asked, are reluctant to set a figure for compensation in a special meeting: a low guide might be $100 per lesson. We need elders sensitive to the financial burdens of an evangelist. For a young man, serious about becoming an evangelist, it might even mean assisting with educational expenses. While private home ownership is generally best, elders might consider providing housing for an evangelist. Few congregations who receive this paper have sent out and support full-time evangelists. Elders, make it a goal to appoint an evangelist and begin now planning for the financial obligations. Remember, by U.S. 2002 census standards, a married man making $18,000 with two children is considered in poverty! Emotional support is important, too. I am so glad we were able to host a reception in honor (Romans 13:7) of Bro. Bill Hensley last April and present him with a plaque for his years of radio work in northeast Missouri.
We need elders to provide opportunities for young people to develop their talents. This might mean paying their way to a VBS in the Philippines or helping with travel to a special gospel meeting. I am so heartened to see the emphasis on youth at the February meetings at Norwalk, California, and in Kirksville, my home congregation. In this leap year corrective to our calendar, we are examining spiritual applications and correctives of "leaping." Encouraging young men to develop their talents and deepen their understandings will raise up another generation of leaders. Young people, talk to your elders about your spiritual goals.
Members, to call upon a man to travel 300 miles to conduct a funeral, please reference the paragraph above. When was the last time you had an evangelist in your home or remembered a special occasion of his family? When was the last time you thanked a leader for his service? I began preaching around 16; one of my special memories is of a family that bought me a suit. Evidently, women played a special role in financing the work of Jesus (Luke 8:2-3). I knew one group of women that met on a regular basis to quilt and would give a quilt to an evangelist. Could it be that quilting and generosity are lost arts?
Most evangelists are not motivated by money. I never refused to go to a place because of payment. In fact, I have preached many a place with no compensation. I once had to point out to a grumbling evangelist who complained about the long distance he had to travel and the amount of compensation (previously agreed to) he received, that Jesus himself had a great distance to come from Heaven to Earth! For a while, I thought the evangelist believed his journey was greater! An independently wealthy man, and a godly man, he apologized.
But this does raise another point, Paul was a tent maker and a teacher (Acts 18:3 & 19:9). He used his skills and education to support himself and not burden others. When I served as an evangelist, my home congregation only supported me financially in overseas ventures because my university teaching position supplied my everyday financial needs. We need fully-supported evangelists, but we also need evangelists who can support themselves through secular livelihoods. This February, leap into action!
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