225
MAY, 19.46
JUNE 16, 1946 SHARING TASKS WITH OTHERS J o h n 1 4 : 1 2 ; R o m a n s 12 :4 -8 . N O ONE is able to live his life alone. This is particularly true of those who live in cities, but it is also true to a lesser extent of those who live in isolated places, or on farms with distant neighbors. All that we do and say is affeeteá by those around us and affects those associated with us. God has intended that it should be so. We are to be a blessing to one another. We áre to assist one another, and to bear one another’s burdens, according to the will of God, and assist in one another’s problems. It is si joy to share with others, and it is most profitable for them and for us. Let Us share both the victories and the defeats, and by all means let us promote one another’s welfare. For Those Who Have Topics 1. SHARING RESPONSIBILITY. Exo dus 4:14-15. No work of God is the result of one man’s ability and endeavor. He must be surrounded by those to whom he can delegate authority and in whose ability he can trust. We learn to lean upon one another and it is a blessed thing to do so. In the church, the pastor expects the Sunday school su perintendent to assume the responsi bility of that department. The song leader is accountable for the music. The head usher takes charge of the ushering. Thus burdens are lifted from the pastor’s heart as he safely trusts in others, and his heart is left free for the ministry of the Word and for prayer. Unless we learn to enlist oth ers in our labors, we shall be unable to carry out our ministry successfully and to. rest in our hearts while doing so. Christ sent his disciples forth by two and two that they might share responsibility. 2. SHARING OUR ASSETS. Luke 6:38. Eafch of God’s children has assets in his life which may be shared with others who are in the service of the King. One can sing well, so he uses his ability for the pastor or the evan gelist and together they serve God. Another is a good business manager, so he carries this asset into the church with all of its varied needs for such a gift. Still another who cannot preach has an automobile which he places at the disposal of one who can preach, thereby rendering a real service. An other has a comfortable home with a nice guest room and to this the visit ing teacher is welcomed, thereby giv ing him a homelike a t m o s p h e r e which' adds to his cheer and comfort. The evangelist may help the teacher
spiritually effective in our leadership and so He graciously gives rich ex periences to accomplish that end. 4. PREPARING BY APPLICATION. 1 Timothy 4:15. Do not be afraid to assume the position of a leader for only in this way, can leadership qualities be dis cerned. Others will observe your abil ity, or lack of it, and you will expe rience the blessedness or the sorrow of it as the case may be. If you wish to be a leader for the Lord, then accept the duties which may be before you whether you like them or not.
For Those Who Have Topics 1. PREPARING BY OBSERVATION. Psalm 27:11. The leader in Christian ministry must be forceful, but kind. He should be thorough, energetic, and hearty in the ministry which he renders. He should observe other leaders in order to learn from them what he should do and not do. The pastor who leans on the pulpit as though he were making a bed of it will not greatly affect his audience. There will be no force to his message. A leader will be criticized as to his personal habits: how often he takes from his pocket his handkerchief to wave it in the air, how he handles the books on the pulpit, what he does with his hands and feet. Do not substitute perspira tion for inspiration. Observe leaders who are successful in their ministry and apply what you learn from them -to your own service. We are not to -imitate others or seek to be like them, but we can learn helpful things from them. . 2. PREPARING BY STUDY. 2 Timo thy 2:15. Many books are available for the study of Christian leadership. The -Word of God presents fine examples and the lives of Bible characters should ■be studied. Moses became a leader,: although at first he was very unwilling to be one. David became a leader; although he was at first un trained. Paul became a leader, al though he was antagonistic to the Gospel. So our Lord will take any who present themselves to Him, and will develop those qualities as they study the Scriptures, study examples, and study the instructions given by those who have been successful. Con sider well the experiences of other leaders. Learn from the failures of others how to avoid making the same mistakes yourself. 3. PREPARING BY EXPERIENCE. Romans 5:3-5. Experience is an excellent and effi cient teacher. We learn by our own failures and achievements. We find tlie best methods and programs by seeing them in actual use. We work out plans for Christian ministry and, when they fail, we discover the de fects in our reasoning and the fail ure of our. logic. We learn by prac tical application when we should be as bold as lions or as meek as lambs. We discover when it is wise to de mand, and when it is better to per suade. Actual experience is worth many volumes of theory. We should pay particular attention to the suc cesses and failures of our leadership in order that we may know what to avoid and what to perform boldly. It is God’s will that we should be
IT’S AN IDEA Rev. Carlton C. Buck Idea 1. In late May or early June, plan to have a Youth Banquet to honor the Eighth Grade, High School and College young people who are graduating this year. Use a cap and gown motif for invitation, decoration and favors. Idea 2. In considering preparation f o r Christian leadership, h a v e someone prepare and give a brief account of the preparation for service of Moses, Paul and other Bible characters. Idea 3. Some thoughts on the June 16 topic: To get the most out of l i f e we must learn the art of team work. First, that “we are laborers t o g e t h e r with God” (1 Cor. 3:9); and sec ond, that we should live together peacefully (Rom. 12:18), c o -o p e r a tiv e ly (T Cor. 12:12-31), and sympa thetically (Gal 6:2).- Idea 4. For June 23 and 30: As a matter of interest, a member of your society could prepare a paper on “The Faith of our Presi dents.” The article should deal with the Christian con victions of the men who have been president of the United States, and state the church, if any, to which each belonged.
You will develop more quickly in doing something you do not like than in an easy, pleasant path, if you lay it to heart and seek victory from the Lord. If you fail the first time, do not be discouraged. Continue to apply yourself to it, and learn to overcome the hindrances which have contrib uted to the failure. God will give help, and you will come out the victor.
Made with FlippingBook Annual report