Paul instructed Titus to seek godly leaders and install them in the churches. “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—” (Titus 1:5)
John Maxwell says it this way, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Godly leaders are good leaders and the question is not, “Can the church afford to call a pastor?” The issue is, “Can we afford not to?” For this is a matter of obedience to God—He has commanded it. He will not bless our disobedience.
Henry Blackaby testified:
Many churches say, “As soon as we have the money in the bank, we’ll … start that mission church … call that pastor … hire a children’s director.” Congregations have waited for years to obey what God told them. They might consider their behavior financially prudent. God calls it disobedience.
I found that as we enlisted pastors for our various missions, God led us to successful leaders who were enjoying thriving ministries. Many took a cut in pay to become a mission pastor, but they were given an immense vision! They were also provided the freedom and support to pursue God’s purposes. As a result, we enlisted outstanding leaders who experienced God producing amazing results.
When churches are small or declining, they often assume they cannot afford to recruit strong leaders. The problem with this thinking is that it prompts churches to either choose not to move forward with what God is telling them, or to settle for weak leadership. The truth is that when you are suffering decline, you can’t afford the consequences of enlisting ineffective leaders. (Flickering Lamps, p.99, Kindle edition)
If an elder is a good leader, then he will reach enough people who will more than fund his compensation. There are some men who are willing to labor in a secular job while also leading in the church. We had great lay leaders who had recently “retired,” but still had much to give to the Lord’s work. These can be set aside as elders.
It is really a matter of faith. Will we trust God to provide as we step out in obedience? “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” So said the great missionary Hudson Taylor. That has been my experience throughout nearly fifty years of Gospel ministry. The Lord enabled me to care for a large family and lead His church and we never lacked what we needed to do so.
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