1. Emphasis on Gospel Preaching. The ARP church needs to keep an emphasis on Experiential, Gospel
preaching. I have heard that preaching has ‘had its day’ pronounced many times over the last few hundred years. Many point to new, innovative tech- nologies. We need to figure out how to employ technology, but no matter how good we get at distributing the message, it will never make up for the quality of the message. Yes, we are living in a different day, but the need remains the same. Online platforms are great, but a strong pulpit is still vital for a healthy church. One of the problems of today’s world is that the pastor is often spending
less time in their study. Your pastor needs to have adequate time in the study to prepare the message. Dr. R.M. Stevenson, the editor of The ARP (1911- 1941), admonished pastors in his day to “spend more time in their work- shop.” If that was true in the early 20th century, how much more true is it in the 21st century? We are busy with ministry, family, the work of presbytery, and synod. Then there are all the time wasters and distractions we deal with as well. Often pastors are too connected and need unplugged time to do the important work of sermon preparation. This work is more than just an academic endeavor. Pastors need time for
the study of God’s Word, prayer and meditation. They need adequate time to write sermons. These should not be theological abstract Bible studies, but Gospel sermons aimed at the particular hearts of their congregations. This study takes time, and speaking as a pastor, sometimes the elders and congre- gation need to help the pastor make the time. I think that an emphasis on Gospel preaching means a return to the Sun-
day Evening Worship Service. Let me be blunt — either we believe in the centrality of worship, the power of the preached word, and the command- ment to keep the Lord’s day, or we do not. Why would we not want a Sun- day evening service? How could ordering the Lord’s day to open and close with corporate worship be a bad thing? How could doubling our exposure to the word of God be a bad thing? If we are going to emphasize Gospel preaching, then pastors will have
to work harder, not just doing the observable acts of ministry. There are many hours of private preparation that go into every hour of public ministry. Rev. John Rogers, a retired pastor, says, “You can tell if a man is putting in the work or not!” Pastor, you need to bring forth the best sermons you can. Continue to work on your craft of writing sermons. Seek the Lord’s help as you do. Church members, you need to be longing for Gospel preaching! Do you?
Do you love to hear the Word of God read and preached? Do you appreci- ate the work that your pastor is doing? Are you praying for him in this and encouraging him?
2. The ARP church needs to have an emphasis on Shepherding. You need to note well that shepherding is not just visitation. When ses-
sions shepherd their congregations, it is more than just a random social visit. Shepherding requires a spiritual visit to the congregation members. It means asking questions to ascertain the spiritual health of the family. It means giv- ing spiritual direction from the Bible. Some churches gave up visiting members years ago. If we do this, it will
be to the detriment of our congregations. The sheep need to be shepherded. There is something valuable and telling about being in the home of church
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members. These visits are not an inquisition but a loving probing into the family’s spiritual health combined with encouragement to spiritual growth and activity. It also needs to be said this is primarily the work of the Elders and not just the ministers. In my experience regard- ing visitation, the pastor’s gifts are best used in addressing specific sit- uations and needs. Elders should be the main thrust of the week to week shepherding in the local church.
3. Emphasis on Prayer. Where does Gospel ministry get
its power? It is when the power of God is at work in it. This truth should cause us to be in constant prayer for our church, session, pas- tor, and entire ministry. This emphasis is part of the pas-
tor’s work. Part of a Pastor’s call is to pray for the church’s needs and the people of the congregation. Pastors especially are set aside to pray. Dr. Harry Reeder taught us that pastors are set aside to pray for the church. Sermons and Bible studies are prepared and written by prayerful meditation. This work of prayer must be an emphasis of every pastor’s ministry. Have you ever asked your pastor how much he prays? Elders, have you ever asked your pastor how much time each day and week he sets aside to pray? A significant part of the pas- tor’s work is in private prayers for the church and preparing public prayers for the church. Some pas- tors prepare their public prayers by writing them out word for word. Others like only to have some sense of areas where to pray. While it is perfectly fine to pray extemporane- ously, and we often pray this way with folks during any given day, there is a need to study and develop our prayers, especially our public prayers, to have variety and depth. Prayer is also to be a part of the
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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