The Church

Our culture emphasizes the value of the individual. There is an appropriate focus in the church on the salvation of individuals for whom Jesus gave his life. Each individual must make the decision to receive Christ and make Him Lord of their lives.

The challenge comes when the value of the individual overrides the importance of the greater good. The biblical reference to the elect relates to the corporate nature of the church or community of faith, not simply individuals. Christ died for the church. He is building his church. The church is the focus of God's work in the world today.

Those of us who are called into ministry are commissioned to serve our Lord in his church. We are not called to a life of ease, comfort, or stress free existence. We are called to serve God through ministry, i.e. service, to the church, the people of God. No church belongs to any individual. The pastor may receive compensation for service given to a congregation and that would be appropriate. However, the pastor should never feel an entitlement. Church boards should generously support their leadership from a financial, relational, and spiritual point of view, but the pastor should remember he/she is a servant, not a CEO.

Everything the minister does should have in mind the value of the church. When the pastor moves to a new church setting, it should be because God calls them to that post. When it is time to leave, it should be because God has lead them to make that move. The overarching question that must be asked is "What is the best thing for the church?" If we keep in mind that the church is more important than we are as individuals, we will be more effective servants to our Lord and we will keep the right perspective of who we are and what we are called to do.