By Gerald Schnarrenberger
The dedicated, selfless service of our nonsalaried pastors is an inspiration to all of us.
They are doing a commendable job leading their flocks, preaching the gospel and being a light to their communities. We thank them for their service and examples.
The church first considered nonsalaried (volunteer) pastors for the smaller congregations in 1996.
We felt that each congregation should have its own resident pastor rather than being pastored from afar. The combination of full-time employed pastors and volunteer pastors seemed like the answer to providing the most stable leadership for our churches, and it was.
An article introducing the concept and an application coupon appeared in the Sept. 17, 1996 Worldwide News, and more than 300 applications poured in. How nice it was to see dedicated people respond to an opportunity for service.
During the last week of December 1996 the church brought 33 pastor applicants to Pasadena for New Pastor Training.
After intensive pastoral classes they were commissioned and sent back to their areas to begin pastoring. One even raised up a new church in his city, which has been a wonderful blessing for the local brethren.
We conducted further classes in July and December 1997 with the same pleasing results and have now trained more than 100 pastors.
Now we are planning a fourth class for the third week of July. The tentative roster for the class is beginning to be filled, but we have several more openings. We plan to have another class later this year.
Each nonsalaried pastor continues to receive ongoing training and assistance from church headquarters.
They are enrolled in the same continuing education program as the full-time pastors (April WN, page 20). They have received a number of additional research books to help with their studies and they will be included in all pastors conferences.
Of course, they also receive reimbursement for expenses they incur while serving as pastors.
If you previously applied to serve as a nonsalaried pastor, but haven't heard from the church yet, please send a short note to Church Administration saying that you want to verify your application.
If you haven't applied yet but want to, please fill out the coupon on this page and return it to Church Administration.
The church needs Spirit-led, enthusiastic people to answer the calling.
Application request
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City State Zip
Please send me: An application packet More information
Members Affirmation
I believe that is a Spirit-led Christian who would be a good candidate for a commission as a nonsalaried pastor in the Worldwide Church of God.
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Mail to: Nonsalaried Pastor Application--CAD
Worldwide Church of God, 300 W. Green St.
Pasadena, California, 91129
May WN page 8
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