Bits & Pieces 1
Thoughts on Associate Pastors
The pattern of pairs in pastoral ministry sets a model for this. Sometimes the pairing is mentor and intern (e.g., Moses & Joshua, Paul & Timothy) but also peers (Moses & Aaron; the apostles sent out in pairs; Paul & Barnabas)
Pairing seems particularly useful in missionary and church planting situations. One man is devoted to going out in order to bring in (i.e., evangelistic work). The other is devoted to providing teaching and preaching that is worth coming to. With just one man, church planting work can end up with no one coming or nothing worth coming to or one man burned out. These two could be a pair of Teaching Elders or a Ruling Elder evangelist and a Teaching Elder teacher and preacher.
In terms of full-time workers in a larger congregation, a Teaching Elder can teach and preach for ten people, a hundred or a thousand. With larger numbers, help would be needed for personal care and a full time Ruling Elder/s would serve well. Also with larger numbers, a full time Deacon and then also a Deaconess would serve well. The full-time hiring order would be: Teaching Elder, Ruling Elder, Deacon, Deaconess. The point is that, in some situations, it may be more useful to hire full time Elders and/or Deacons rather than an additional Teaching Elder. Our seminary’s courses for Ruling Elders, Deacons (Deaconesses?) and Chaplains are very useful in support of this kind of procedure.
A New Paradigm for Pastoral Retirement Celebrations
I retired earlier and more suddenly that I had planned. This was in the midst of the covid pandemic and other severe health and family challenges. There was no opportunity to enjoy a celebration until recently. Some dear friends asked what I would like to do in celebration and I said a picnic with good food and fellowship in happy memories would be great. My friends provided a “Pastoral Roast” with a wonderful assembly of friends, good food and humorous memories. You can find various segments from this roast at the Fulton RPC You Tube channel. There are some “inside jokes” that assume local history but most of it is readily understood. I’m sure every Pastor will want a “roast” for their retirement from now on!
The Blue Banter Podcast
Barry York introduced this podcast in a March 2023 GR blog post, but I would like to remind Gentle Reformation readers of it. I’ve listened to many editions of the BBP and have enjoyed being introduced to younger men and getting to know older brothers better. I am humbled and encouraged to hear about the commitment, faithfulness, gifts, skills and creativity of the Pastors the Lord has given us in the RPCNA. The Lord continues to do great things for, in and though us. Let us praise and thank His glorious Name!
Published!
GR readers may be encouraged to learn that our local paper published my September 24, 2024 GR post which I sent to them as a letter to the editor. They gave it the title, “Reproductive freedom carries responsibility”. Please pray that the Lord will open eyes and hearts to the aggravated evil of abortion without limits.
Kit Swartz Pastor Emeritus, The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Oswego, NY
