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I recently heard someone say that a congregation will not grow spiritually beyond the spiritual growth of its leaders. It would follow that the spiritual growth of the congregation, or lack thereof, ultimately would affect the congregation’s ability to fulfill the stated mission of the church. As we look to the Scriptures to see the heart of faithful spiritual leaders toward their flock, we see a repeated exhortation to their sheep: follow me. Follow them in their reaction to persecution, follow them in their leaving all behind to follow Jesus, follow them in their conduct, and follow them in their faith.
Since ordained ministers and elders are the undershepherds of the Shepherd who calls His sheep to follow Him “wherever he goes” (Rev 14:4), it is no wonder that His undershepherds are given the high calling to be examples to His sheep. The Apostle Paul describes his own experience and feelings in living out this high calling when he strongly intimates to the church in Corinth that his care of “all the churches” is a holy burden special to him as a minister, pointing out to them that he is weak when they are weak because he bears their burdens in his heart (2 Cor. 11:28–29). Here is the heart connection to the flock that is unique to the undershepherds. John Calvin comments thus on 2 Corinthians 11:29: “How many there are that allow all offences to pass by unheeded—who either despise the infirmities [trials and struggles] of brethren, or trample them under foot? This, however, arises from their having no concern for the Church. For concern, undoubtedly, produces sympathy which leads the Minister of Christ to participate in the feelings of all, and put himself in the place of all, that he may suit himself to all.”
The ministers of Christ and the elders of the church understand deeply the weighty reality and responsibility of their calling, being intimate with the challenges and struggles that come with this kingdom work. Sometimes these challenges and struggles become quite overwhelming, producing deep discouragements, doubts, and depression—particularly for ministers.
These effects are not a new phenomenon of the 21st Century. One only needs to study the lives of well-known ministers of past ages—Martin Luther and Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to name just two—to discover that they were often beset with the same feelings. When a minister reaches these levels of discouragement, the situation for him, for his family, and for his church is truly a crisis. That being said, ministers of Christ, in their special calling, need special help before things reach the crisis level.
How can you help? First, you can pray fervently. If you are not sure exactly how to pray, look for prayers in the Scriptures that specifically apply to ministers and their special responsibilities. You can also ask the minister—and his family—what special trials he has as an individual and what special trials they have as a family so that you can bring these needs before the throne of God. Often, ministers and elders carry burdens related to their congregations that they cannot share. Your prayers for them regarding these private, unknown matters can again be guided by the Scriptures rather than by proprietary information.
What other help can you give to your minister? An encouraging word, regular prayer times together, an offer of help with house or transportation needs, the gift of a gym membership or supporting him in a hobby he enjoys, a gift card, or the offer to babysit so he and his wife can have date nights.
Another way to come alongside the ordained leadership and the congregations of the RPCNA is to support the Vital Churches Committee by giving to the Reformed Presbyterian Missions and Ministries Fund (RPM&M). The RPCNA Vital Churches Committee (VCC), which receives funds from RPM&M, seeks “to be a catalyst to presbyteries and their congregations to promote effective ordained leadership and spiritually healthy churches.” Reaching this goal involves helping presbyteries and congregations to “recognize, acknowledge, respond to and eliminate symptoms of decline before they actually occur; also to address the difficult issues of decline…where they may already exist.” The RPCNA recognizes that it is through effective ordained leadership and spiritually healthy congregations that the overall calling of the church can be fulfilled. Therefore, the VCC is charged with the goal of promoting spiritual vitality in RPCNA presbyteries and congregations in order to realize the “stated mission of the church (as it appears in the Constitution of the RPCNA).”
“It is the mission of the Church to preserve, maintain and proclaim to the whole world the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the whole counsel of God; to gather into her fellowship those of every race and people who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and promise obedience to Him; to build them up in their most holy faith, and train them to be faithful witnesses for Christ in all his offices; to maintain the ordinances of divine worship in their purity; witness against all evil; and in every way to seek the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth.” (p. 86)
Just as Jesus lovingly called his apostles to “come away and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31), so the VCC creates opportunities where this coming-away-to-rest can be a reality for RPCNA ministers. This is done through hosting pastoral retreats once per year, rotating through the presbyteries. Retreats have been held in the Alleghenies, Midwest, Pacific Coast, and Atlantic presbyteries, and retreats are currently planned for St. Lawrence in 2020 and the Great Lakes-Gulf in 2021. The retreats are funded by the VCC for up to 10 pastors and their wives. The funds cover the conference speaker expenses as well as travel and lodging for the participants. Steve Rockhill, secretary of VCC and pastor of Living Way (Bryan, Tex.) RPC, states, “The feedback we’ve gotten is that they have been a great encouragement.”
Another opportunity for pastoral renewal is through the new collaboration of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) with the Vital Churches Committee. They developed the RPTS Pastoral Refreshment Program held at the seminary. The goal of the refreshment program is to encourage pastors to be renewed in their ministerial leadership. The September 2019 RPTS Pastoral Refreshment Program focused on, “knowing yourself by seeing how God has shaped you as a leader; learning to rely more fully upon the Holy Spirit; responding to discouragement and burnout; clarifying our understanding regarding the role of ordained leadership; putting into clear focus the church’s mission; and defining carefully the plan in fulfilling the mission.”
Participants were placed in a long-term mentoring relationship with an RPTS faculty member with whom they will share concerns, pray, and enjoy accountability via video conferencing once a month. Also, through placements in reading groups, ministers will have the opportunity to read books that focus on pastoral renewal and then have monthly book discussion and prayer time via videoconference with other men in their reading group.
Sometimes a sabbatical is a helpful and necessary way to renew and refresh ministers. The VCC, through its Sabbatical Grant Program, helps cover the costs related to sabbaticals such as pulpit supply. The Vital Churches Committee also sponsors special lectures and workshops at the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference (RPIC) that are geared toward the overall spiritual health and well-being of pastors, pastors’ wives, of elders, and of congregants. In addition, the VCC sponsors RPIC lectures and workshops for congregants that focus on such topics as prayer, time management, and goal setting.
In addition, the VCC has been given the responsibility of overseeing the Church Revitalization Grant program. This program was developed to promote spiritual wellness and vitality within RPCNA congregations. Through this program, Synod will match grants given to a congregation from their presbytery on a 5 to 1 ratio, up to $10,000. These matching grants are awarded to RPCNA qualifying churches who demonstrate a need for financial assistance toward new efforts of renewal and spiritual revitalization. Church Revitalization Grant money has been used for youth ministry improvement, Sermon Audio fees, and pastoral intern support. For example, one church that received $2,000 from its presbytery received an additional $8,875 from the Church Revitalization program.
If you believe you are called to financially support the ongoing well-being of RPCNA ministers and elders, their families, and congregations through the work of the Vital Churches Committee, please consider donating to the RPM&M fund. Donations can be made online at reformedpresbyterian.org or by mailing a check to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 7408 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (RPM&M in memo line).
Please keep the RPCNA ordained leadership and churches in your prayers. “If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (Ps. 137:6).
For more information on the various programs and activities of the RPCNA Vital Churches Committee, please contact Joel Wood (chair, pastor at Trinity [Burtonsville, Md.] RPC) at joelenochwood@gmail.com, or Steve Rockhill at revrock402@gmail.com.
Mary Brown lives in Nunn, Colo., with her husband, Clyde, and their four children, Charity, Timothy, Hope, and David. She is a member of Laramie, Wyo., RPC, where her husband serves as an elder.