SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #52 ---- 1/11/99
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
TITLE:
My Dear Co-Laborer in Christ:
As I begin writing this week, it is nearly Midnight Sunday night, and I'm
writing from a motel room in Hartford, Wisconsin with 18" of snow on the
ground and it's -10 degrees below zero outside. ---- And, I'm really
tired!
We are in the middle of a week of ministry which has taken us to the
Billy Graham Center For Evangelism on the campus of Wheaton College in
Wheaton, IL this past Friday and Saturday, and then to Watertown, WI
Sunday morning and on to FBMA Church in Neosho, WI for a "missions
conference" to recruit a team to Croatia and/or Bosnia in the future.
Today we travel to Reedsburg, WI, our home from 1984 to 1995, to visit
some friends and supporters, then on later today to Viola, WI for the
night. Tomorrow we go to Des Moines, IA and then on to Independence, MO
before heading on home on Thursday to prepare for a state-wide evangelism
conference in Branson, MO.
So, next week I'll write from Branson.
A SIGNIFICANT WEEK:
While I really didn't expect it to turn out quite that way, this past
week was one of great significance for me.
1. The first thing that happened is I began thinking about Steve, the
guy Jo Ann and I were going to see at the "missions conference" ---- he
was assistant pastor at the church, and had personally invited us to
come. Steve is one of my "Timothy's in the Ministry" whom I baptized in
1984, spent many months of personal discipleship time, performed the
wedding ceremony for him and his wife, Margo, and enjoyed watching
progressively grow in the Lord.
2. That, then, led me to contemplate just how many people had passed
somewhere through my ministry over the years and have themselves entered
some type of vocational ministry. I remembered Bennie, Jim, Gordon,
Bill, Doug, Lonnie, David, Jeff, Brent, and three of our daughters
(Deanna, Cindy, and Cheri), then Ron, Candy, Steve, Dawn, Scott, another
Ron, Ben, Chris, John, James, Lynelle, Tasha, Tara, and a bunch more.
Bennie, Jim, Bill, Ron, and Scott are all pastors. Gordon is a
denominational district director. Lonnie bailed out. David, Ben and
Jeff are in music ministry. Brent is in Christian social ministries.
Deanna and Dawn are pastors' wives. Cindy John, and Lynelle are
missionaries. The other Ron teaches in a Christian school. Chris Candy,
and Tara are preparing for foreign missions. Tasha is wife to an
associate pastor. Cheri was a missionary. Steve is an assistant pastor.
Doug went to work as an artist for a major denominational periodical.
Even as I write, I remember more names. Jo Ann and I are blessed above
all people!
Now, I cannot say that all these people made their respective commitments
to vocational ministry simply because they came through some aspect of
our ministry. In fact, the actual decision to respond to God's call on
their lives may have come as a result of someone else's life and
influence. But, to some degree, Jo Ann and I had the privilege and
opportunity to place some degree of influence and, hopefully, nurturing
and mentoring in their lives.
In many ways I believe a major measurement as to a minister's success is
seen in the people who enter the ministry because of his encouragement,
example, and discipling efforts. I hadn't realized just how many people
had been so directed through the years of our lives until this week.
3. Finally, I watched an incredible process take place last week-end at
the Vocational Evangelists' Consultation at the Billy Graham Center of
Evangelism. Dr. Robert Coleman, longtime friend, and author of *The
Master Plan of Evangelism* and *The Master's Plan For Personal
Evangelism* did a brilliant thing in the mixture of the people he
invited to that event.
Limited to only about 40 people, he invited three groups of people ----
about ten of us who had been in ministry for 25 years or longer, about 20
who had been in for less time, and then about 10 young men who were
evangelism majors at either Asbury Seminary, Trinity Evangelical
Seminary, or Wheaton College.
It was a rare and special thing to watch the unifying, the sharing, the
caring, the ministering to each other. It was spiritual vitality and
energy on full action. I was greatly honored to see the young men
eagerly soak up observations and insights I shared. I was deeply moved
as these young men would gather round and pray for some of the older
evangelists who had suffered hardship and heartache during their
ministry.
The thought crossed my mind ---- "these young men will never be the
same." Then it hit me ---- "neither will I."
A TROUBLING THOUGHT:
I've wondered recently what it would have been like if I had looked back
over 42 years of ministry and discovered that not one single young person
or adult had been motivated and challenged to enter vocational ministry
as a direct result of our influence.
It's a scary thought! ---- a terrifying thought! ---- a "knot in the
stomach" nightmarish thought!
And yet there are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of us who have missed
the honor and privilege of seeing a single "Timothy" rise up because of
our influence ---- while, on the other hand, there are surely many who
have so lived that they have influenced young men and women to reject
such a call.
As I look back and consider what I would do if I were starting over in
vocational ministry, I believe I would . . . . .
MAKE MORE EFFORT TO MENTOR TIMOTHY'S:
Discipleship is to be a way of life for every believer ---- not just
vocational ministers. It is the role of every husband to disciple his
wife. It is the role of every husband and wife to disciple their
children. It is the role of every believer to disciple another believer.
Every single one of us has that responsibility, and there is no denying
it or squirming out of that obligation. It is a divine mandate and
command directly from our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we don't do so, we are thoroughly without excuse.
However, those of us in vocational ministry have an even greater
obligation and calling to do so ---- and something more ---- make
disciplERS, some of whom will make it their life's calling and vocation.
There are various levels of disciple making. My friend, Jeff Floyd, has
addressed this in the past, and I hope Jeff will write some of his
insights down for me to share with you later ---- he has a good breakdown
that really makes sense.
For the time being, however, let me simply say that "Mentoring" some
Timothy-types is probably the highest form of disciple making because
your are helping equip men and women for ministry as a vocation ---- as
something that consumes him and is the actual thing he does not only to
serve the Lord, but as a lifestyle occupation.
IF WE DON'T:
Have you ever considered the consequences of Not mentoring vocational
ministers through your life?
If we do not, . . . .
1. We are guilty of failing to fulfill part of our own calling. Every
Paul was a Timothy, and every Paul is to have a Timothy.
2. We fail to do our part in helping to raise up manpower for the
increasing ministry needs around the world. I've wondered what it would
have been like if there had been no Lynelle in Peru, no John in Egypt, no
Tonette in Kenya, no Ron in the classroom. How many people might have
gone untaught, unreached, if I had not been blessed to help encourage
those ministers of the Gospel?
3. We fail to leave a legacy to our own ministry. In a way I feel that
having no "Timothy" to carry on is like trying to leave a hole in the
water when you pull your finger out ---- there's no evidence a finger was
ever there.
WHY WE DON'T:
If seeing men and women rise up through your ministry is such an
important thing, why do we sometimes not do so?
1. I guess some of us don't realize it's part of the deal. II Timothy
2:2 says "The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses,
the same you commit to faithful men, who will in turn teach others also."
In this one simple verse, you have four generations of disciples ---- of
discipLERS.
2. Often I'm afraid it is because we are so caught up in our own
ministries and trying to follow our own agenda and build our own kingdoms
and reputations that we don't have or won't take time to get others up on
their feet and into the field of service.
3. For others it may be because there are personal failures in their own
lives which they feel disqualify them from influencing others into
vocational ministry. Inconsistency and hypocritical behavior can be an
enormous wall to get over in trying to challenge others into vocational
Christian service.
4. Then for some they may feel it is beneath them to lower themselves
from their prideful status of fame and popularity by becoming a servant
teacher ---- or even more, a fellow pilgrim still learning while trying
to instill truth in another.
IN CONCLUSION:
Well, my friend, I'm "bushed" and my mind has just about disengaged all
gears. I've been writing for over an hour, Jo Ann is already asleep in
the room, and I still have a shower to take.
So, since it would be a waste of time to try to sound "profound", let me
simply conclude by saying, If I were to start over in ministry, I would
spend much more time discipling young men and women for vocational
ministry.
Last week I said I'd hang around old people more.
This week I'm saying I'd also hang around young people more.
As we closed our session Saturday afternoon at the Vocational
Evangelists' Consultation, I was struck by the fact that I was sitting
there looking into the eyes of some of God's "Last Days Army". It moved
me tremendously.
I knew I was looking at some guys who may well give their lives for the
Gospel ---- something I have not yet had to do, though I may. I was
observing men who, while still unsure and uncertain about many things,
were nonetheless Fearless in their commitment to ministry. I was
watching guys who had already paid the price by ignoring the possible
cost and simply saying "Yes" beforehand.
Oh, my friend ---- what a future the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has!
Not only because of Christ's return, but also because of the new breed
of warriors striding from the shadows onto the front row, snapping to
attention, presenting a crisp salute, and with strong and confident voice
saying, "Reporting For Duty ---- Sir!"
Think about it ---- this may be the generation that completes the
fulfillment of the Great Commission! Oh, what a thought! Who do you
know that should be included?
Don't miss the blessing of helping search out these men and women,
motivate them, point them to Jesus, show them the fields, and challenge
them to sign up!
You need them! God needs them! But, most of all ---- the World needs
them!
In Christ's Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright January, 1999. All rights reserved.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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