(The following article is by Chase Whitten. He is now serving as an associate evangelist with ETJ and assisting with a number of gospel projects. You may read more about his evangelistic work here and reach him at [email protected].)

Over the past fifteen years we have had great gospel opportunities in a variety of ministries, both stateside and abroad. Whether at home or in another nation where the culture and language is different, the need is the same—Jesus Christ!

 Here are a few practical things the Lord has been teaching me along the way…

1. Someone has rightly given an acrostic for the word team, “Together Everyone Achieves More.” While working with a church planting team in England I personally witnessed how much can be done by a small group that is unified and desiring to obey the Lord. Every local church should be constantly building a team that will live by faith, feed on the Word of God, yield to the Holy Spirit and allow God to work in them, through them and with them. 

2. Assisting the pastor is the responsibility of every church member. Someone in your church may hold the title “Assistant Pastor,” but if you are not pastoring then you should be assisting the pastor. How can you help your pastor? Pray faithfully for him, work with him to get the gospel to others, and offer discerning words of encouragement.

3. I had the privilege to pastor an established church in my home state of West Virginia. (Yes, it was “wild and wonderful!”) One of many lessons learned was how to pastor at the right pace. This is accomplished as you learn more about yourself through the Word of God and lead the people effectively. Wait when God says wait and go when God says go. To delay, doubt or disagree disappoints the Lord. As a leader, remember you don’t know everything and certainly cannot do everything. We do not possess inexhaustible energy. A pastor is not just a person of strengths, gifts, and experiences, but also one of weaknesses. Whether submerged in suffering or being carried along by heavenly momentum, we must stay in the Word and keep our heart right. 

4. Years ago I had the opportunity to serve as a custodian at a church in Texas. That time was extremely preparatory and quite the perspective changer! The custodian gets the opportunity to serve the entire church family from the nursery to the parking lot to the pulpit. Janitorial work is never finished. This helped prepare me for the pastorate. A pastor serves the entire ministry and his work is never finished. 

5. The Lord draws our attention to an insect in the book of Proverbs for the purpose of work and wisdom. For any ministry to be effective it will require both wisdom from God and a disciplined work ethic. In Proverbs 6:6-8 the ant is planning ahead, working ahead and working together. We must have God’s wisdom and we must get to work. 

God has now led us into itinerant evangelism, assisting pastors and churches. Our desire is to further the work of the gospel and making disciples. We do not have a man made agenda, but a God ordained assignment. Please pray for our family as we seek to obey the Lord and live by faith.