August 28, 2014

 

Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:

 

As I write, we are approaching Labor Day, a time in our country for a long weekend to celebrate and honor those who work among us. We do so by providing an extra day of rest on Monday. In keeping with the spirit of the observance, the church will be closed on September 1.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 the Apostle Paul writes, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." Paul calls for His people in the church to work hard. Of course, this applies most immediately to our paid staff. Our members should be able to see, if paying attention, that the paid pastors, directors, managers, coordinators, and support staff aren't slackers; rather, they do their work from the heart to the glory of God with the best interests of the church family in mind. There's an old, old line often used on pastors and church workers that "they only work one hour a week." You've heard that one, haven't you? I assure you that your church staff not only works a week's full of hours; many of them go beyond the requirements of their jobs because they love our congregation and want to see us succeed for Christ. We additionally conduct a full review of every employee's job performance each year through our Ministry Relations Advisory and Board of Trustee's Personnel Committee. We want staff to know where it is doing well, where it can improve, and how it can work more effectively as a team to advance Christ among us.

 

Laboring side-by-side with paid staff are our elected volunteer leaders. This includes our elders serving on Session, our Deacon Board members, and the members of the Board of Trustees. Added together, this group totals to 56 people, which is approximately one-tenth of our active church membership. Though not working at the church for a monetary wage, they nonetheless do their work for the Lord, laying up treasures in heaven. We look to our elders to work hard in leading the church's vision, mission, strategy, and programs so that in all things, God is honored and Christ is proclaimed. We anticipate that our deacons apply themselves to care for the poor, needy, broken, mourning, hungry, and homeless. We trust our trustees to give guidance in being good stewards of the property, personnel, and finances of our congregation.

 

Is that everyone who works hard among us? By no means! Members of teams, committees, and task forces are called to labor with effort for Christ. Our many adult, youth, and children's Sunday school teachers and assistants labor for the Lord. Small group leaders work to provide great spiritual experiences for their group members. Those who sing in the choir or serve on the worship team, along with our Sunday morning ushers and greeters do the work of the Lord on His day. And many of us work for Christ by reaching beyond the church walls into the lives of people who don't yet know the Lord with the hope that we may be "spiritual farmers" planting the seed of God's Word in the hearts of people outside our fellowship. How grateful we are for all of these workers at MLEPC!

 

The bottom line is that everyone who is a member of Christ's family at the corner of Scott and Washington is called to work hard among us for God's glory. Some are paid staff, others are elected leaders, and still others have answered the invitation to volunteer. Put it all together, and we are the people who work hard for Christ. There is an old saying that among most churches, 20% of the people do 80% of the work, whereas 80% do 20% of it. Friends, we don't want to fit this description at our church. May it never be! We all instead are called eagerly and cheerfully to contribute to the good work God is doing among us.

 

I personally want to thank all of you who work hard among us at MLEPC. On September 1, take the day off! Don't even think about your work here for Him for that one day . . . but, just for that one day. Then let's open the doors of the church on September 2 and dive in full force to what looks like a fantastic fall schedule, filled with scores of opportunities for us to reach upward, outward, and inward, to the glory of God!

 

Pastor Tim

 

++++