To say that involvement is the key is an understatement. New church members must become involved in order to have 'buy-in' and ownership in their church, and to develop relationships with others. It creates roots.
But involvement goes far beyond that. The prayer that Jesus told us to pray concerning the Harvest was for "the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers." If we are not praying and working toward that end, we are out of the will of God in our churches. Involvement (and equipping) are key components of sending forth laborers, for the phrase 'sending forth' does not necessarily imply sending someone to a new location. It means sending them into the Harvest field of service to God, including the local church and community.
The old school of thought was, they need to sit at least six months to a year to prove themselves before they can be used. The other extreme is to use people in high pressure roles that require a great deal of spiritual maturity too soon. But there is also a happy medium.
Everyone should be involved as quickly as possible- sometimes even before conversion takes place. But the question is How? At what level of involvement does a person begin?
I use the inverted triangle (or funnel) illustration. The bottom of the funnel is very wide and includes just about everyone that has a pulse.
Responsibility and accountability at this level is minimal, as well as qualifications and spiritual maturity. However, as one gradually moves up the funnel/triangle, the qualifications, demands, and commitment become far greater. As an individual moves into a public role such as a singer or teacher, the represent the values of the organization (church). As such, they must adhere to a far greater standard.
Requiring too little of those at the top of the triangle is a major mistake. Requiring too much of those at the bottom is also a mistake. A wise leader is able to guide church workers through the stages of involvement that is healthy for them, as well as for the rest of the body.
Pastor Deckard
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Pastor Deckard
About Me
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- R. Deckard
- Des Moines, Iowa, United States
- Pastor Rex Deckard was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He received his BS degree from Indiana University, his Masters degree from Trevecca College, and did post graduate work at the University of Tennessee. He is a licensed K-12 School Administrator and a certified teacher. Pastor Deckard has been involved in a variety of ministry roles: planting churches, home missionary work, curriculum development for Word Aflame publications, teaching overseas in Papua New Guinea, and leadership development. His writing has been featured in numerous magazines, both secular and Christian. He has pastored churches in Tennesee, Indiana and Iowa. He is the Coordinator of Apostolic Training Institute, a distance learning initiative of the Home Missions Division, and is a member of the Iowa District Board of the United Pentecostal Church. He is the pastor at Calvary Apostolic Church, 2611 Easton Boulevard in Des Moines, Iowa. Family and Interests The Deckard family consists of wife Brenda (both a musician, songwriter and nurse), daughter Emilile (student at Des Moines Area Community College) and son Rex Adam (student at Iowa Christian Academy).