AVAILABILITY

To me, the ministry is more than a "9 to 5" job. I like church members to know that I am available any time they feel a genuine need. I schedule office hours from 9:00 till noon, Tuesday through Saturday. Afternoon and evening hours are spent on Bible studies, counseling, visitation, or further study in the office. I strictly observe a day off, which for me has traditionally been on Monday. I frequently spend Saturday afternoons in a relaxing activity with a brother or friend to get to know them better.

BODY LIFE

Activity outside the church building is vitally important in building a loving, growing church. I have found that a combination of spiritual and social activities build church togetherness. Activities such as retreats, canoe trips, church picnics, Hospitality Month, men's breakfasts, and monthly devotionals.

BULLETIN

I thoroughly enjoy editing a sharp, professional-looking bulletin. A weekly bulletin is an excellent way not only to keep members informed, but also to keep the community interested in our activities. I generally schedule Tuesday mornings for editing the bulletin.

COMMUNICATION AND CONFRONTATION

Our goal is peace, love, and harmony within the church. These lofty goals are attainable if lines of communication are kept open. I firmly believe that private confrontation, in love, will often be sufficient to prevent a church crisis. I practice the principles Jesus laid down in Matt. 18:15-18. On the other hand, I try to make myself approachable as well.

EVANGELISM

Evangelism is my special interest. My love for evangelism has led me to conduct about 50 Friendship Evangelism Seminars.

Evangelism is so much more than teaching a Bible study. Evangelism is cultivating a friendship so that first of all a friend comes to know me, then he comes to know my Christian friends, and then he comes to know my Lord. My desire is to work with a church which will allow me to serve primarily as an evangelist. One of my greatest desires is to train other Christians to be effective in friendship evangelism.

FAMILY

I plan for a family night at least once a week where I am home an entire evening. It would be a poor reflection on my work if my own family were to go astray. Katherine and I have a great marriage and four beautiful children: Andrew, 15 years; Rebecca, 13 years; Luke, 9 years; and Rachel, 7 years who has finished our family.

I feel that the church needs to make a determined effort to build up the family via pulpit, retreats, classes, VBS, etc.

FINANCES

In general, I believe the minister should be paid a salary comparable to what other men in the congregation of his age and training are paid. I try to set a good example in giving by giving generously myself.

HOBBIES AND RECREATION

I especially enjoy golf, racquette ball and tennis. But I like any sport that puts me in touch with people, and I often engage in them for that specific purpose.

As a couple Katherine and I like to refinish antique furniture and take walks. As a family, bike hikes are our favorite.

HOSPITALITY

Over the years, Katherine and I have tried to have at least one family into our home each week. On occasion we have even allowed needy Christians to live with us for short periods of time. We never really feel like we know someone until we've had them into our home and we've been in theirs.

HOSPITAL VISITATION

As you would expect, I regularly visit our own members when they are patients in the hospital. My interest also will include participation and leadership in the local hospital's pastoral care committee.

THE IDEAL CHURCH

To me the ideal church is a fellowship in which Christians praise and worship God, encourage each other, and leave assemblies uplifted and recharged-charged. A visitor should feel welcomed, comfortable, and accepted in their midst.

The ideal church has elders, deacons, and an evangelist who lead by serving rather than by commanding.

LEADERSHIP

I believe that Jesus literally meant that the greatest among us would be the servant of all. I also believe that elders, deacons, and evangelists can best serve together-when a team approach is adopted.

My concept of elders is that they are to he shepherds and counselors rather than administrators only. My concept of deacons is that they are to he servants who reach out and include the average member of the church in their serving. My concept of the evangelist is that he is to he a leader in outreach to the lost but also in serving the needs of those who are already saved.

As the evangelist I like to be a part of the leadership team.

LONGEVITY

My first ministry lasted eleven years. I like that. Wherever I go, I intend to make a minimum of a five-year commitment, for the good of myself, my family, and the church that I will serve.

MORALITY

In one word, I am conservative. I believe that Christians should act and dress in such a way that they avoid the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life".

PERSONAL NEEDS

Obviously the church has a responsibility to care for the financial needs of its employees. Just as vital a need are my emotional needs. Like you, I need acceptance, friendship, and reassurance regularly.

PRIORITIES

Evangelism, counseling, class and sermon preparation time-all these are important to me. I need input from the leadership to help me determine how much time I should spend in each of these.

CONCLUSION

We must alert and mobilize the membership! We must convince our people that they are the best evangelistic tool that we have in our local congregation. They will be more effective in sharing Jesus than all the gimmicks and gadgets, programs and preachers put together.

And you've probably preached that . . . but do you believe it? The church in the first century grew like wildfire because the Christians went everywhere preaching, sharing and living Jesus! (Acts 8:1-4) Right?

No, I'm not putting preachers or programs down! I like preachers . . . I am one! But, we must repeatedly remind our people that their lives touch people we preachers will never see. They can share Jesus with people we'll never meet. They can personally invite people who would be afraid of an invitation from a preacher

And, when your people have reached out and touched their non-Christian friends -- when they have persuaded their non-Christian friends to visit your assembly -- preach the good news of Jesus Christ. Preach His wonderful teachings, His horrible death and His glorious resurrection. Let your people see Jesus in your sermons and in your life.

Finally, if one of your members has a non-Christian friend that wants to study the Bible, help them. Yes, teach that study. Show your church members how to teach a non-Christian. Let them walk with you step by step, week by week, through the film, chart, study sheet or open Bible study.