Louis Tamminga
Elders have played a prominent part during my ministry years. Foremost, of course, during my years as a parish pastor. (I served congregations in British Columbia, Alberta, Iowa, and Ontario). But then also when I served, for a dozen years, in the denominational Pastor-Church Relations ministry. It was there that I learned even more how important elders are to their pastors, and, broader, to their congregations.
Soon after I began that ministry, a development took place of which I had, initially, not seen the importance. I was regularly invited to lead elders' workshops. They became important experience to me. Many questions surfaced there. I made it a practice to always write them down. Still further along, I wrote little essays on each of those questions. All that, in due time, led to writing the ELDER'S HANDBOOK which enjoyed broad interest. Many councils gave the new elders a copy for their personal use. (Faith Alive also published a companion volume, the DEACON'S HANDBOOK, around that time.)
Following my retirement, I began a twelve-year volunteer ministry with Chr. Ref. World Missions. This enabled World Misisons to provide some pastoral care to world missionaries. My wife Jean and I traveled to most mission areas and conducted retreats for missionaries and national leaders.
Jean and I grew up in the Netherlands, spent several years in Canada and have lived in Grand Rapids since 1980. We have six children (of whom the youngest died in a traffic accident) and ten grandchildren.
Posted in: Pastors Losing Family Members to Death
These lines of Jim Dekker are no longer recent but they are still very relavent.
I understand, I (we) have been there.
Jim's article will have been read and re-read. Forcussing for the moment on congregational response to sorrow in the parsonage, a few things come to mind. The ministry is demanding emotionally and spiritually, so pastoral care to the pastor-couple is very important. Hopefully congregations have a pastoral alertness, so that there is a spontaneous ongoing sharing of consolation and comfort. One never "gets over" sorrow.
But the elders should also provide regular care for to their shepherd. All grieving people find it disconcerting when, after some time, no mention is made any more of their grief-burden.
But, as well, because of the pastor's work and position, he/she should not hesitate to seek professional help.
There will be some readers of 'NETWORK' who will want to share some thoughts on the Pastor practicing 'self-care.'
Posted in: What for (Again)?
Norm Visser brings up a topic to which many can relate: Classis meetings are generally not exciting (though they can be and have been),
But picture their absence. Regional churches would then miss the main link that binds them together. We should also realize that classes play an important part in our church-life. Articles 75 and 76 of the Church Order spell out the tasks of classes, in brief: assisting the member churches of classes in their evangelistic programs and in their ministry of mercy. To that end every classis has a home missions committee and a diaconal committee. As long ago as 1937, Synod stated, "Our churches and our people are urged to unite strongly in their devotion to such missionary endeavors which are conducted by our churches..." (p. 99).
Classical meetings are also suitable settings for local churches to share their blessings, problems and needs. Local council members may ask themselves whether there are local needs in which classical prayers and assistance would be profitable. These last few years there have been several classes that have devoted part of their meeting-agenda to prayer and meditation focusing on the well-being of the member churches. Classes have also undertaken a variety of other ministries which would be beyond the capacity of an individual church..
Classical delegates should be afforded time and opportunity to report on the meetings of classes to the membership of local churches. Many churches already do this.
With all the talent invested in our ministers, elders, and deacons, much could and should be done to make our classical meetings more worthwhile, functional, and hence more exciting.
(One additional thought... Leadership of classical meetings is very important. Not every minister/elder/deacon is gifted for that function. Classes would do well to follow the example of synod; elect a chairman for each classical session, rather than just ministers taking turns.)
Louis Tamminga