Through
our Messenger Care program, Messenger Ministries invites – urges
– believers to support ministers and help heal some of their hurts.
Many pastors, missionaries, evangelists and other persons who are dedicated
to sharing the Good News suffer more than many supporters may imagine.
They have financial, physical and emotional needs and often bear heavy
burdens.
Minister
A is a young man called to lead in launching a church located
in a spiritually needy community near a major state university. That
is a large enough burden. But not the only one he would have to bear.
He and the small group he gathered for ministering through music and teaching God’s Word changed locations several times, had office and audio equipment stolen – whatever could happen to discourage them seemed to happen.
This young pastor and his wife looked forward to the birth of their first child. That bouncing baby brought joy that was soon accompanied by sadness. The young pastor’s wife had cancer; she was given months to live. She left her dedicated husband, and their young son to be with the Lord.
Minister
B served a church organization for more than a decade. His
appointment was mainly constructed through short letters and telephone
conversations. He did not request, or think he needed to require, a
formal contract. Throughout his experience in other types of ministerial
settings, the agreement was strictly verbal – built on the Biblical
principle of a hand-shake. A good working environment was promised,
with adequate compensation, plus retirement funds committed to a mutual
fund as the retirement program. However, upon his departure he discovered
that the promised retirement monies were never invested – the
organization leadership deceived him -- like people who worked for Enron,
Minister B left with no retirement money. He cannot say he lost his
retirement since in reality the one promised was never created.
Minister
C accepted the call to serve a pioneer venture with a new church.
A wealthy believer held the “if you build it, they will come”
philosophy. So, in addition to developing retirement homes, the man
with the money built an attractive church facility. It sat empty for
a long time, until he met Minister C who conducted the first service,
which more than 100 people attended.
However that attendance was not maintained – which upset the wealthy builder. He became dissatisfied with the congregation averaging half the first Sunday’s attendance during the first six months of Minister C’s ministry. In fact, the first six months were his only months with the “ if you build it, they will come” church. The wealthy builder fired him!
These are examples of ministers and the hurts they experience. Messenger Ministries cares. Our ability to express care for ministers who hurt depends much on the support that people who honor faithful ministers supply. Ask God what he wants you to do. When you hear him telling you to make a gift to Messenger Ministries, please be as generous as possible.
There are two legal acts that, though not binding on churches and other religious organizations, many in ministry sometimes wish they could. The Age Discrimination Acts of 1967 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees or applicants for employment who are 40 years of age or older. Would we not assume that a regulation that defines the right way people should be treated would be even more important among Christians? Yet, many religious organizations establish and openly advertise age requirements for person they seek to employ. Consequently a host of highly qualified servants of God are set on the sidelines because of age -- right at the time when they may be most effective.
Similarly the Americans with Disabilities Act aims to reduce or eliminate discrimination against disabled individuals. Simply being disabled doesn’t qualify someone for a job. However, the act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals who, with or without a reasonable accommodation, can carry out the essential functions of the job. This means that the individual who is physically challenged must have the requisite skills, educational background and experience to fill the position.
Sadly, persons who are physically challenged are overlooked in churches and other religious organizations in areas of ministry. Yet many, if given the opportunity, might prove to be the most dedicated to their ministerial assignment. Messenger Ministries offers counsel and encouragement to persons in ministry who know the reality of feeling hurt.
Messenger
Ministries: P.O. Box 263, Kent, Ohio 44240 U.S.A
Email: info@messengerministries.org
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