By Robin Chester
The Worldwide Church of God has 424 congregations in the United States; 339 are served by full-time pastors, and 85 are served by nonsalaried pastors.
BEND, Oregon--When we met last December in Pasadena for the first conference for nonsalaried pastors, we had little idea of what was going to happen to us and our congregations.
What we learned there was a little overwhelming, and at one point or another we all felt we were in over our heads. As soon as we got home to our congregations we had work to do.
Since that time we have seen members here grow spiritually beyond expectation and join together in a way not experienced before. The Bend congregation has become more than a congregation; we have become a family, each contributing to each other's needs, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, holding up each other's arms, and lifting up one another in prayer before God the Father.
The Lord has moved powerfully within our church as a whole and within our local congregations as well.
What makes a congregation thrive?
As any pastor will tell you, it's not the pastor who makes a congregation thrive. It is Jesus Christ who inspires people to worship, to make a difference and to be a living sacrifice. The Holy Spirit is leading our people to step out in faith and in service, not only within the congregation, but in the surrounding community as well.
The Bend church is small (about 30 to 35 members), but we have a large percentage of members active in small groups, women's ministry, Bible studies, community outreach and interdenominational cooperation.
We praise God for the way he is blessing us.
Don Krump said: "Since our nonsalaried pastor serves only our congregation, he is just as available, if not more, than our previous situation where we shared a paid pastor with two congregations and had a local elder."
Anna Jones said: "When the winds of change came, they swept what I thought was the foundations of our local church right out of the Worldwide Church of God. Robin Chester stepped in and did whatever was needed. Robin's love and intense enthusiasm for Jesus Christ is wonderful to witness."
Laurie Krump said: "This is an exciting time in the Bend church. Our pastor has such fire and enthusiasm for Christ that we are experiencing much spiritual growth. Attending services now is certainly no more a command as it once was. Now it is a privilege.
"It is our hope that what is being accomplished here in our local church will serve to encourage those who may be blessed with the leadership of a nonsalaried pastor. It can work, and is working for us. However, as with any pastor, he needs the prayerful support, encouragement and involvement of the members."
Christine Chambers said: "There is so much happening, and there are many opportunities with Jesus Christ in charge of the church. The rivers of living water are moving. There is so much to talk about in our Bible studies that most of us end up staying late. Our pastor teaches us from God's word. The changes that took place in the church allow Jesus Christ to live and work in us."
Laurie Krump said: "Our pastor is encouraging to the women of our congregation by providing us with many opportunities. Women serve as worship leaders, members of the worship team, give scripture readings, give prayers, read announcements and give church life messages."
Robin Chester is the nonsalaried pastor of the Bend, Oregon, church.
Sept. 16, 1997, WN, page eight
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