Alex Krikke

Here’s my thought. Talking about one’s Success = pride. Pride means we seek a bit of the glory that rightfully belongs only to God.  Been there. I was called to be a police officer. I did not “succeed “in advancing in the ranks, but I know God used me to further His kingdom in various ways right where I was. Sometimes God allows us to see the fruit of my (our) labour but I don’t think we (I) aught to look for the fruit, because then, sinner as I am, I want a piece of the glory. Just like when you successfully plant a lawn, you sit back after it’s done, and you think, ah, great job. Up wells pride in your accomplishment, after all,it is God who makes the grass grow, right?

This is what I think pastors aught to do to be successful: know your congregation, research timely Bible based  messages pertinent to your congregation. Learn to know your congregation by visiting as many of then as you are able, before a congregant find him/herself in crisis. You will e rewarded.

In my devotions this morning I came across Luke 22: 25-27 in “The Passion Translation” (TPT) the reading of that passage should help in pastors Bob’s search or longing to seek the fruit of his labour. 

I have served as elder in a number of CRC's and have been involved with many Home Visits. My observation is that responses to these visits are by and large contrived, failing to glean from the visits true and heartfelt dialogue on the most important subjects that effect the respondents' relationship with Christ. (an "its' my business, not yours" attitude) Somewhere along the line Elders, and the church, for that matter have lost their authority over congregations, making many attempts to nurture ineffectual. Perhaps we need to explore a new way to reach out, preach to, and teach our congrations.
May I suggest one of the best way is to form the "Small Group" ideal - where elders, and maybe deacons are put in charge of facilitating small, house -sized groups once a month or so, with the objective of studying Christinan literature, and socializing, getting to know one another in a more intimate way, freeing us to express what we feel in a non-threatening way.

I guess I might be considered one of the FIRE adherents. I retired one day before my 51st birthday from a police force. Having said that, I did not plan for any of this. Senior advisors recommended not to retire too early so, I considered a couple of things. 1) I had to struggle with the question “how much income is enough? And the second consideration was that when I vacate my space as a police officer, another person gets the opportunity for employment. I with my wife enjoyed working as volunteers for World Missions and Service Link at the time, representing those two entities to central Canada for about three years. We decided to relocate back to our home town , took on different jobs with the freedom to stop the job if it didn’t satisfy. We, my wife and I have had the opportunity to do a great many different things in our retirement, and now enjoy home in our 70s. 

The point I’m trying to make with all this, is we did not plan our retirement, nor what we would get involved with, but all opportunities were presented by a merciful God, Who knows our name. It’s been wonderful so far. Incidentally my wife never worked outside of raising 6 kid, and a number of foster children. 

Sid, I too wonder about the efficacy of assessing fruitfulness in rotational ministry basis. (The 2020 assessment).   My mind drifts back a number of years when our CRC leadership thought it wise to predict out membership numbers for the year 2000. Growth had been robust as that time and so we needed to prepare for the future. As you know, the outcome wasn’t good. The church did not just split, it splintered. I think we need to rely on God’s grace and Spirit to guide our outcomes not try to predict or assess “fruitfulness” He knows!

So, the author seems to have gone to great lengths to justify using words in communication. Well and good. I think though, that he misses the point of the words attributed to St.Francis of Assisi. St. Francis, if I recall correctly, was trying to teach his ambitious under study that being a great preacher is more than using words. One must also get into the trenches as it were, to be really effective for Christ. It’s sort of like the parable of the guy beaten up in the ditch. One guy couldn’t be bothered to notice , the second was too busy doing God’s work (preaching?) and the third had compassion and helped him out. Too many preachers today concentrate on the use many words at the expense of their actions. At least that’s my opinion.

I think St. Francis made the point that actions speak louder than words. In your opening paragraph you appear to be disputing that premise, then use 19 pages to suggest words take precedence over actions, or are primary in witnessing Christ. So, in essence, I fail to see the point of this research. If you applied the same effort to examine all Jesus’ actions, and the actions of the apostles, you might end up with 19 or more pages of data. Again, it seems to me that the use of words is emphasized too much at our seminaries at the expense of actions being taught. In other words our congregations need more than preaching to be properly shepherded.

So, I’ve been an elder or deacon pretty close to ten times during my 72 years. Years ago, it was common practice to have two elders making a home visit. Then we decided for expedience, single elder visits would suffice. Here’s my take on serving my church. Year one, I determine to be the best elder ever, year two, not quite so determined, year three, I’m tired, people are not too interested in a visit from an elder, they want to see the pastor. For three years I am very much involved with church affairs, then, after the term I’m left with a big vacuum—-nothing. I think this Is a let down for me. 

How to address this problem, I’m not sure. Perhaps a retiring elder should remain an elder and be welcomed with full authority as an elder to all council and classes meetings if, and when he or she feel they want to.

i have seen too many people serve a term as elder or deacon, then wind up leaving our denomination altogether. It would be nice if a change were introduced.

I agree that the "bar is somewhat high for leadership staff in any church, but I see that as a goal rather than a qualification. 

However, I have seen many persons who served faithfully their terms in council/consistory then leave to attend other churches, not because of the high expectations, but I wonder if it has more to do with Denominational Chauvinism that comes into sharp focus when serving in these esteemed positions. Do they flee mostly to the larger mega churches where denomination focus is not as pronounced? How can the CRC address that?

We as Elders serve for three year periods, then we are out - have nothing to do with the administration of the church. One day you are esteemed as an Elder, the next, (after your term is up) you are totally not involved with the running of the church. While I appreciate the idea of involving elders more in the synods, and classes, (s)he would not be as well informed as one (presumably a pastor) in the long run. Perhaps an elder should be appointed for life, then any educational courses often offered by the denomination would be more desireable.