Stewardship Article

Your Support for Your Associate Pastor
By Jennifer Green, Elder
Personnel Committee



“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:32-33

The early church flourished in part because of the generosity and sense of community between the believers. The books of Acts and Corinthians 1 and 2 are replete with descriptions and admonishments of how those who had much in the way of material wealth should share (and did) with those less fortunate and the apostles so that the Word could be spread. It describes an almost “commune-like” environment that makes many of us today uncomfortable. We comfort ourselves with thoughts that such a total sharing of wealth just hasn’t worked in modern times and, after all, we all have to pay our bills and save for our children’s education and our retirement.

And don’t forget all we give to our charities! Worthwhile charities abound and we need to contribute to those. We are bombarded daily with messages that we can be a part of curing cancer or AIDS, ending hunger around the world, saving the children, and the list goes on.

But the salvation of the world comes not from the works of man but through the grace of God. I believe that Luke’s point to his readers in the book of Acts was less that we need to do good works but that by sharing of possessions, the believers, and most especially the apostles, were able to spend time contemplating and sharing the Good News. Jesus himself sent the apostles out with instructions to “preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near…Do not take along any silver or gold or copper in your belts: take no bag for the journey or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.” Matthew 10:2-10

Mike Nevling has been more than “worth his keep.” He has labored many years, going over and beyond what his job description entails to serve the needs of Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, and we have supported him in turn. But now, as many of you know, the Session and the congregation have approved the search for an Associate Pastor to assist Mike. A committee has been hard at work reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates, and when the right candidate is found, a call will be issued. This will be a big budget step for us and yet, we continue to move forward, trusting in God's goodness and your willingness to give.

So, when a candidate accepts the position as our associate pastor, he or she will be answering a call to do God’s work….will you answer your call to support the work of Christ’s church? Can that individual who has put his trust in the Lord also trust in you to share your possessions so that he or she can minister to you and spread the Good News?

“Our desire is not that others may be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.”
2 Corinthians 13-14