Providence Reformed Baptist Church

Reformed Baptist Church in Remlap, Alabama

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Choosing a Church

Perhaps one of the most difficult seasons in the life of a Christian is when they are in search of a local church where they can settle in as a covenant member. This is especially trying when you live in a culture where there’s a church on every proverbial corner, as is the case in the “Bible-belt” of the southern United States. How then should a Christian proceed in this process? What should be their guide in making such a critical and important decision?

To begin with, let me start with a negative: in choosing a church to join, a Christian should not let their own personal preferences play as the deciding factor. For many Christians, this is a standard default in their judgment as to what church they should join. They look for certain things they personally like or dislike. For example, what is the location of where the church meets? How many people are in attendance? Is the meeting place in a store front or a church building? If it is in a church building, then what is the look or age of the church building? How many differing age groups are there? And of course, what kind of programs does it have for certain people? When it comes to choosing a church, these examples tend to be the only kind of categories which determine the judgment believers will make for the right church. The problem with these categories is that they have nothing to do with what makes a church a church – in the biblical sense. They have to do with what a person prefers by their own personal standard as opposed to what the Word of God actually reveals as to the nature of a true church.

So, what then should be the guide for a Christian choosing a church to join? Our only guide should be the Word of God. First of all, since we’re talking about the church, then we’re not talking about anything which is of this world. Lest we forget, as Christians, we are not of this world though we live in this world (John 17:14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Therefore, when Christians gather together as the church in sacred assembly there is something remarkably other-worldly about who we are and what we’re doing. And it is for this reason that we need God’s Word directing us as to what we should be looking for in a local church.

What then does God’s Word reveal about the church and thereby what we should find in a local church? In the first place, the church is the “pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). A local church of Jesus Christ supremely functions as the foundation and support to the truth of God’s holy infallible Word. As John MacArthur explained it so well: “It is the solemn responsibility of every church to solidly, immovably, unshakably uphold the truth of God’s Word. The church does not invent the truth, and alters it only at the cost of judgment. It is to support and safeguard it…The church has the stewardship of Scripture, the duty to guard it as the most precious possession on earth. Churches that tamper with, misrepresent, depreciate, relegate to secondary place, or abandon biblical truth destroy their only reason for existing and experience impotence and judgment.”

In the second place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, then God’s Word will regulate all that is done as it pertains to the functioning ministry of the church. This means that when the church gathers for worship there will be the reading, preaching, and hearing of God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2). There will be the congregational singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). There will be corporate prayer (Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8).  Furthermore, there will be the practice of the church ordinances: such as taking the Lord’s Supper and the baptism of newly converted sinners to Christ (1 Corinthians 11:17-32; Matthew 28:19). Moreover, the very spirit in which God is worshiped will be “with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28), as opposed to the glib, flippant, and carnal atmosphere of a late night show or a pop concert. What’s so crucial to understand under this point, is that in choosing a church to join, you must discern by Scripture whether this church takes its cues for ministry by what the world wants or what God commands. A church ceases to be the pillar and buttress of the truth when it functions more as a Walmart – pandering to every whim and fancy of the general public just to fill a pew. In addition to this, where God’s Word is regulating the ministry of the church, there should be the presence of qualified church officers – namely, Christian men who serve as elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). The one exception to this, is that in certain circumstances there may be providentially only one elder (a pastor-teacher, Ephesians 4:11), since the Lord has not yet raised up other men to serve in either of these offices (Acts 20:28).

In the third place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, then there will be a clear, unashamed, unadulterated proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The person and work of Christ in the glory of His redeeming work by His life, death, and resurrection will never be truncated in any way, but preached fervently and unmistakably, calling sinners to close with Christ through faith and repentance (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2; 15:1-3). Furthermore, by proclaiming the gospel, a local church following Scripture will show compassion to the lost by striving to reach them for Christ via evangelism and the intercession and support of global missions (Matthew 28:18-20).

In the fourth place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, there will be an evident doctrinal unity in a local church. Surprisingly and sadly, this is not a point which many Christians take into consideration. 1 Corinthians 1:10 speaks to this kind of unity when it says that we should be all agreed, with no divisions among us, united in the same mind and the same judgment. The context in which Paul wrote these words bear out the fact that it is doctrinal unity he is appealing to. This same unity is what Jude aims at when he exhorts his readers to contend earnestly for the faith once for all given to the saints (Jude 3). The “faith” is not our personal faith in Christ but the content of Christian doctrine as revealed in Holy Scripture. A local church, if it’s abiding by Scripture, will strive for a collective doctrinal unity – where all the members are confessing the same thing as to the truth. Historically, churches have sought to fulfill this scriptural mandate by writing confessions of faith. Thankfully, there are more churches in our day having returned to holding a confessional standard. Having such a document is especially helpful for a Christian whose searching for a church to join. They can question if this church has a confession of faith and secure a copy if the church answers in the affirmative. By such a document a person can see plainly what this church believes the Bible teaches and where that church takes its stand as to the truth of Scripture.

In the fifth place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, then there will be the evident pursuit of a relational unity built on the spiritual unity all believers share in due to their union with Christ. This means that the mandate of Ephesians 4:1-3 will not be taken lightly, where, the church is to walk worthy of the calling by which they have been called by God in Christ – by relating to one another in all humility, meekness, patience, and forbearing love, as they spare no effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. If there is no evidence of these graces in a local church there will only be division, strife, resentment, envy, and arrogance. In short, if a local church is not practicing relational unity as mandated by Scripture, then flee that church with haste.

In the sixth place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, then by the teaching and fellowship of the church members you should be stirred to grow in greater likeness to Christ. The supreme end of our sanctification is perfect conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). No church therefore should do anything to impede such conformity. Rather, a congregation of fellow Christians should make all strides to help each other to stay the course and cross the finish line of their Christian race faithfully (Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:24-25; 12:1-2). A local church where this is sought after is worthy to join!

In the last place, since the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, then the pursuit and practice of corrective church discipline will be carried out to preserve the church’s purity and rescue erring church members. One of the greatest tragedies in multiple local churches is the total absence of church discipline. Passages of Scripture like Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, or 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16 are completely foreign to the general population of professing evangelical Christians. It is thus no wonder that so many churches are racked with corruption, discord, scandal, heresy and the like. A church however that practices church discipline after the clear pattern laid out in Scripture, will be a church far healthier due to the premium it sets on the holiness God mandates His people to keep.

In conclusion, I hope it is clear to see what one should be looking for in a local church when they’re on the search. Obviously, they’re not looking for the “perfect church.” Nor are they looking for a church made in their image – catering exclusively to their tastes, standards, preferences, etc. No, what they should be looking for is God’s Church which can only be identified by what God has revealed and commanded by His Word. But understand this: to look for a local church with all the above qualities and traits as laid out in Scripture, cannot be assessed by one or two visits. You have to settle on a church where you will camp out long enough to see these things clearly or not, and thereby be able to make a qualified and fair judgment directed by the light of God’s Word. There’s nothing therefore hasty in this kind of search and decision for any Christian.

 

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Should the Pastor’s Door always be Opened?

The leading question to this post may seem as if it requires no amount of thought. For church members in the majority, I can hear their answer: “The pastor’s door should always be opened – no questions asked!” In other words, when it comes to the wish of church members to meet with their pastor, I have found in my own experience (not to mention, the experience of other fellow pastors) that the lion share belief is that despite the motive, attitude, and aim of the church member – pastors are beholden to bow to the demands of those they minister as it pertains to a personal conclave. But is this right – biblically? Does the Word of God bind the conscience of Christ’s under-shepherd to keep his door always opened to every whim and fancy of the sheep?

To begin with, pastors should always be willing to meet with those in their charge. If they truly love and care for those God has placed under their leadership, then when a church member makes a request to meet, a readiness to oblige their desire should stand at attention in the heart of a pastor. But such a keenness to meet on the part of the pastor, should never be without wisdom and discernment. For instance, has he already made other commitments prior to this request? Would he be breaking his word to others if he chose to meet? Is he already stretched so thin with his time, that to meet would only add more stress to his taxing schedule? And what about his family? Would this meeting infringe on their time with the man they know first as husband and father? A pastor’s family must get first dibs on his time and energy before the church ever makes such demands.

Also, has he asked the church member what is the nature of this meeting? This is a huge question which many pastors tend to either forget to ask or they’re afraid to ask because they don’t won’t to offend the church member. But this question is critical and crucial. A pastor should strive as best he can not to enter a meeting with a church member completely blind as to the matter at hand. To do so shows a naivete in the pastor whereas prudence is what he needs. If a church member refuses to disclose why he desires to meet, then the pastor would be wise to hold off. I have found more often than not, when church members have nothing insidious as to their aim in the meeting, they’ll not hesitate to express their reasons for the meeting. If their motives are pure, then they have nothing to hide before the meeting ever takes place. However, if their motives are not for good but ill, then they’ll say only they desire a meeting (in most cases). Or as I’ve heard it so many times: “Pastor, I have something I want to talk with you about…” And with those words, a pastor feels a chill in the air. He’s left hanging in suspense. This is nothing but tortuous and discourteous. Thus, it is only fair for a pastor to ask: “What do you want to talk about?” In short, the pastor has every right to judge for himself if this is a meeting worth pursuing. He therefore has the freedom and in some cases the obligation for the sake of caution, to close the door.

But as to the church member who is seeking to meet with the pastor, what should they be asking? First and foremost, what are my motives? What is it that’s driving me to meet with my pastor? Is it love or anger? 1 Corinthians 16:14 commands, “Let all that you do be done in love.” Am I pursuing this meeting out of love for my pastor? If love is not the driving motive but anger, then a church member needs to put off the meeting till they repent and put the anger to death. The wrath of man only acts foolishly, exalts folly, and stirs up strife (Prov. 14:17,29; 15:18). In addition to this, am I as the church member pursuing peace with my pastor? Let’s say a church member has a personal grievance with their pastor, an issue dividing them with Christ’s under-shepherd. How are they to resolve this? Do they meet with the pastor just to let him have it? Is the goal of their meeting only to get their digs in? If this is all they want to do then to meet with the pastor would be a sin. Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14 command us to live peaceably with all by pursuing peace with all. If peace then is not the end at which the church member is endeavoring, then their purpose will not have the favor and pleasure of God. If they’re not about reconciliation but only revenge, then they need a meeting with God before they even think about meeting with their pastor.

Yet, another layer for a church member to question has to do with their respect for the pastor and his office. Romans 13:7 commands us to “Pay to all what is owed to them…respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” The context of this imperative has to do with respecting and honoring those in authority over us. God says we owe all such persons due to their authoritative office respect and honor. This includes pastors! Thus, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 calls every church member to respect and esteem their pastors highly in love for the sake of their work. A church member then who refuses to show this respect for their pastors is sinning against God’s direct command. But what’s more, if they are pursuing a meeting with their pastor they must ask themselves: Do I love this brother and respect him as the man of God placed over me for my spiritual welfare? Do I esteem him highly in love for the sake of his work? If a church member cannot answer in the affirmative to these questions, then he has no business meeting with his pastor. Sadly, what I have witnessed in so many churches, is the total absence of respect and love for the pastor –  because his sacred office is profaned by the idea that a pastor is nothing more but an “indentured servant” than the man of God. In fact, there are church members who believe it is their right to treat God’s man any way they choose because there’s nothing holy about his calling. How shameful and disgraceful is such an attitude! But if this is an attitude burning in the heart of a church member who’s pursuing a meeting with their pastor, they need to stop and reprove themselves by seeking God’s forgiveness and the mortification of what amounts to nothing but disdain for God’s delegated authority over them.

So then, returning to our leading question, “Should the pastor’s door always be opened?” – what would be the right answer as guided by Scripture? For one thing, God’s providence may not permit it (Dan. 2:21; Rev. 3:7). Hence, “always” is expecting too much. Second, the pastor himself must walk circumspectly not foolishly (Eph. 5:15). While he should believe the best and hope the best as opposed to being cynical and suspicious (1 Cor. 13:7); yet, he cannot afford to throw caution and prudence to the wind. Asking what the meeting is about is a fair and appropriate question! Lastly, as to the church member pursuing the meeting, remember this chiefly: “Whatever you want men to do to you, do likewise to them” (Matt. 7:12). How would you want the pastor to treat you if he sought a meeting with you? Then treat him the same way. This means above all, let the love of Christ dictate your motives, words, and actions for meeting with the man of God given to you by Christ.

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Non-resident Church Members?

There’s no such thing as a “non-resident” church member. Despite the fact that this is an actual category recognized among churches (most notably Southern Baptist churches), the very concept is in direct contradiction to what the Word of God identifies as a legitimate member of Christ’s church.

When one is described as a non-resident church member they are typically classed as someone who has made a public profession of faith in Christ, received baptism, and has joined a local church – yet, for whatever reason, they are completely absent from the fellowship and service of the church they have joined. However, in spite of their disappearance, they are still considered members in “good standing” of that local church. In fact, their credibility as church members is especially seen when they just happen to reappear to vote the latest pastor out of the church!

But when we turn to God’s Word, the characteristics and conduct of a genuine member of Christ’s church is anything but the “non-resident” type. First of all, there is nothing superficial about the salvation they have received. They were chosen from eternity by God for salvation (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4), given to Christ for redemption (John 6:37; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 3:14), and regenerated by the Holy Spirit unto a new life (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). They have also been taken out of Adam and placed into Christ (Romans 5:19), being liberated from the power of sin (Romans 6:1-14). Further, their faith in Christ is a gift from God who authors and preserves their trust in Christ (Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2). And they have become a part of Christ’s living body, the church, and thus joined eternally to all of God’s redeemed people (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Revelation 7:9).

Second of all, there is an evident change in who and what they are. They are called “a new creation,” a “new self,” and “light in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; 5:8). The fruit of this transformation is seen in the growth, process and progress called “sanctification” (Romans 6:19, 22). The manifestation of this inner divine work is a manner of life that is being conformed to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Hence, there will be humility, love, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, joy, forgiveness, and self-control – which are all Godward virtues exercised for the sole purpose of glorifying God (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:17-5:8; Colossians 3:12-17; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31). Moreover, there is seen in them a growing hatred for personal sin that is carried out in the daily work of killing sin by the Spirit (Romans 7:14-25; 8:13). And finally, this transformation is also evidenced by an intentional witness to bear to others the glory of Christ in the saving message of His gospel (Acts 5:42; Romans 10:15).

Lastly, they desire the fellowship of other believers and seek that fellowship in the formal gathered community of a local church (see Acts 2:41-47). This means that they place themselves under the teaching of the Scriptures (Acts 2:42)  and thus under the discipleship of a faithful pastoral ministry (Ephesians 4:12-13). They also strive to build up other believers by bearing their burdens, exhorting them to holiness, praying for them, worshiping with them, and stirring them up to love and good works (Ephesians 4:16; 6:18; Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:24-25; Colossians 3:16).

Are there really non-resident church members then, in light of what Scripture says? No. The truth is, if someone claims to be a Christian yet refuses to be committed in covenant with a local church – their entire claim is biblically called into question (1 John 2:19; 3:14). So, what should we look for in someone who joins a church? More than a mere decision, but a life transformed by grace.

 

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“Let them to do this with joy…”

In a recent statistic, it was reported that 16,000 pastors leave the ministry every year. The cause for their departure varies from minister to minister. But overall, the number one reason has been discouragement. 

Now to the man and woman sitting in the church pew, this may seem like an absurd reason to leave the ministry. In fact, I can hear many church people thinking to themselves, “What could pastors possibly be discouraged about? Why they must have the easiest vocation there is: they work primarily from home (which, of course, allows them to see their own family throughout the day); their main responsibility is to preach every week (and how difficult could that be – just prepare something to talk about); they don’t have to punch a clock and answer to an employer who is always looking over their shoulder; and above all, they have more free time than anyone I know, to come and go as they please. So, what could be discouraging about a job like that?!”

Well, to any church member who reduces the work of pastoring to such a superficial, shallow, and non-spiritual vocation, as has been just described – they are naive at best and a block-head at worst. Sadly though, the aforementioned description of pastoring is how many people in the church judge the ministry to be. Pastoring the church to them, is nothing but a “cakewalk.” In fact, there are church members who actually scorn pastoring as not even measuring up to real work. Thus, to hear that 16,000 pastors are leaving the ministry every year, due largely to discouragement – causes great perplexity for many people in the church.

But their perplexity is rooted in an ignorance of what the real work of pastoring the church calls for by God’s own mandate. God commands His under-shepherds to “shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight” (1 Peter 5:2). When this work is carried out with faithful earnest, it places the pastor in a vulnerable position where they are open to the most severe attacks of discouragement, and even depression. But why is this?

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) once spoke to this very issue as a part of his Friday afternoon lectures he deliberated to his ministerial students at his Pastors’ College. He titled this particular lecture, “The Minister’s Fainting Fits.” And in the course of this message, he addressed the question as to why pastors would succumb to discouragement and depression. Among a host of answers he gave, one of his responses truly nailed what is at the root of pastoral work, and how the nature of this work plays right into grave discouragement. Spurgeon observed:

“Who can bear the weight of souls without sometimes sinking to the dust? Passionate longings after men’s conversion, if not fully satisfied (and when are they?), consume the soul with anxiety and disappointment. To see the hopeful turn aside, the godly grow cold, professors abusing their privileges, and sinners waxing more bold in sin – are not these sight enough to crush us to the earth? The kingdom comes not as we would, the reverend name is not hallowed as we desire, and for this we must weep. How can we be otherwise than sorrowful, while men believe not our report, and the divine arm is not revealed? All mental work tends to weary and depress, for much study is weariness of the flesh; but ours is more than mental work – it is HEART WORK, the labor of our inmost soul. How often, on the Lord’s day evenings, do we feel as if life were completely washed out of us! After pouring out our souls over our congregations, we feel like empty earthen pitchers which a child might break.”

As Spurgeon rightly put it: the work of pastoring is more than “mental work,” it is heart work. It is the pastor’s own heart spending and being spent to exhaustion, as he gives himself fully to the Lord’s call and to the Lord’s people. Moreover, it is heart work from the standpoint of where the pastor is actually ministering to the church. He is working to reach their soul – nourishing them in the faith, building them up in Christ, and doing all he can, by what God has given him to help the church grow and mature as faithful followers of Christ.

Mark it down: there is nothing easy about this kind of work. For not only do pastors have to work on the spiritual state of their own hearts – both as a Christian and an overseer of the church – but they also have to be much at work on the hearts of God’s people. And this is where the work of pastoring becomes most discouraging and depressing. Consider again the words of Charles Spurgeon on this point:

“One crushing stroke has sometimes laid the minister very low. The brother most relied upon becomes a traitor. Judas lifts up his heel against the man who trusted him, and the preacher’s heart for the moment fails him. We are all too apt to look to an arm of the flesh, and from that propensity many of our sorrows arise. Equally overwhelming is the blow when an honored and beloved member yields to temptation, and disgraces the holy name with which he was named. Anything is better than this. This makes the preacher long for a lodge in some vast wilderness, where he may hide his head for ever, and hear no more the blasphemous jeers of the ungodly. Ten years of toil do not take so much life out of us as we lose in a few hours by the traitor or the apostate…The trials of a true minister are not few, and such as are caused by ungrateful professors are harder to bear than the coarsest attacks of avowed enemies. Let no man who looks for ease of mind and seeks the quietude of life in the ministry; if he does so, he will flee from it in disgust.”

In light of these very pointed words by Spurgeon, I hope in some way it’s clear why pastors can be discouraged and depressed – and tragically, would even succumb to leave the ministry altogether. But of course, the pressing question we must raise is this: How can pastors overcome such discouragements that would bring them to leave the ministry?

Spurgeon’s answer to this question focused on what the pastor could do – and his counsel was very wise. For instance, he said the pastor should not be “dismayed by soul-trouble.” He also exhorted his fellow ministers to put no trust in frames or feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone, and lean not on the needs of human help. Moreover, he said, be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world.

This is all good counsel to be sure. Yet, as mentioned, it is counsel restricted to how the pastor himself can minister to his own soul. But would it surprise you to know that the church body itself can take a direct role in the encouragement of their pastor to stay the course in faithfully shepherding the flock of God? The assembled congregation of God’s people have a divine mandate from God’s Word to hearten the man of God who labors to shepherd them. This mandate is in Hebrews 13:17. In this passage, it is revealed that a pastor’s summary labor is described as “keeping watch for your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” By “watching for your souls”, a pastor watches for dangerous doctrine and false teachings outside the church; he keeps alert for deceitful and divisive behavior within the church; and he stays attentive to the church’s spiritual development (cf. Acts 20:28-31; 3 John 9-10; Titus 3:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-12).

But how must the church respond to such spiritual “watching” like this, which the pastor conducts as a matter of good for their souls? Hebrews 13:17 answers this question with this imperative: “Let them do this with joy and not with groaning…” Here’s where the church member has a direct responsibility in the encouragement of his pastor. As the pastor is faithfully keeping watch for the souls of his congregants, they in turn respond by letting their pastor lead with joy in this stewardship. And the joy springs from the church obeying and submitting to the leadership God has entrusted to His under-shepherds in the work of the ministry. This is how Hebrews 13:17 puts it in the whole:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

So, connecting the dots here – it is only when the church is obedient and submissive to the watchcare which the pastors are giving them for Christ’s sake, that the pastors are then enabled to shepherd with joy verses discouragement. What every local church must take into account from Hebrews 13:17, is that if they fail to let their pastors lead with joy due to either their own rebellion or apathy to his watchcare, they will in turn be the ones who suffer most. As this passage warns in its closing words: “…for that would be of no advantage to you.” The term “no advantage” means “harmful.” It would be harmful to the church to be the cause of their pastors’ grief in his work. Fanning out this consequence, A.W. Pink (1886-1952) observed:

“For the members of a church to so conduct themselves as to be a constant source of grief unto their minister is to despise their own mercies. It not only prevents their receiving his instruction into their hearts, which results in their spiritual barrenness, but it also saps his vigor, quenches his zeal, causing him to proceed with a heavy heart instead of with cheerfulness. What is still more solemn and serious, the Lord Himself is highly displeased, and the tokens of His favor are withdrawn, for He is very sensitive of the mistreatment of His stewards.” 

One of the great biblical principles we need to take away from this is that Christ does not exercise His rule over the church directly but by mediation (John 13:20). Specifically, the Lord rules His church through those men He has gifted and given to the church for that purpose – namely, the pastors or elders (1 Timothy 5:17). Therefore, the church advances in spiritual blessing through the faithful leadership of its pastors (Ephesians 4:11-13). Hence, when the church obeys and submits to the watchcare of Christ’s under-shepherds, then believers can expect great spiritual blessing. This is because as they are liberating their pastors to lead with joy, they are at the same time receiving joy by the work God has enabled His under-shepherds to carry out in behalf of His people. Or as John MacArthur put it: “You will never find a truly happy pastor apart from a happy congregation, or a happy congregation apart from a happy pastor.” 

So then, according to Hebrews 13:17, the church is responsible to encourage their pastors to lead with joy, only, as they obey and submit to the watchcare which any faithful pastor will give. When such a relationship like this is working and developing within a church, then that congregation will be greatly blessed with spiritual vigor, health, and maturity.