[This is the third of a series. You might want to read the first two articles first!]
I received my call to ministry when I was seventeen. It was re-confirmed when I was thirty in a way that was so convincing, I will never doubt the reality of my call again!
I received my call to ministry when I was seventeen. It was re-confirmed when I was thirty in a way that was so convincing, I will never doubt the reality of my call again!
I have one relative who was also a pastor. His name was J. O. Archer. He was my Grandma Haire’s brother – which made him my great-uncle. However, he was more like a grandfather to me! I loved him dearly!
He was honored by the Pittsburgh Conference for fifty years of active ministry in the Free Methodist Church. He was stepping out of ministry just as I was stepping into it.
Interestingly, Uncle James was also a peacemaker! In his day, pastors were moved frequently – as often as every three or four years. The conference leadership had recognized his peace-loving ways. They repeatedly sent him to churches known for unrest and division. Uncle James had a way of restoring peace and love among the members of the church. He was a calmer-of-storms, a healer of relationships.
There is a place in the church for the peacemaker! Like Uncle James, I have served churches that needed healing. Two of them had experienced pastors who fell due to sexual misconduct. One had been torn apart through the pain and tension of a building program. Another struggled to survive because it was located mid-way between two highly visible mega-churches. Another was torn over the decision of whether or not to build a new building.
In each case, I worked hard to restore peace and establish unity. In each case, the church grew significantly. In each case, finances were strengthened. In each church, new people were introduced to the family of God.
Certain pastors are known to have a healing ministry. They are solid in their faith and above reproach. They earn people’s trust and bring people together. These pastors almost always see convert growth, however, rarely at a level that ignites ‘break-out’ growth.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Peacemakers don’t make good leaders, but they do make excellent pastors!
"James O. Archer was born in Jackson County, West Virginia, September 8, 1890. He was the son of James and Jennette A. Archer. The family moved to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, to reside in the fall of 1901. Mr. Archer was united in marriage to Miss Hannah M. Gallager, November 26, 1908. In the beginning of 1909 they attended revival meetings held in New Brighton by D. W. Rose, in which they were both genuinely converted. Mr. Archer had been converted when but a lad of eight years, but like many others he had lapsed in his experience. He dates his restoration to God January 19, 1909. On February 6, 1909, he was sanctified wholly. He says of his conversion, 'That was the happiest day of my life, the light shone brighter, and the people looked different, even the trees clapped their hands.' He knows also the time and the place on the street where God sanctified him wholly when on his way to work. Mrs. Archer has been a faithful colaborer with her husband in the work of their calling, performing the duties of a minister's wife gracefully, and filling offices in the W.M.S. of the church with acceptability. Brother Archer is a strong preacher of the Word and doctrine of Christ, especialy expounding the truths of the atonement, and the plan of redemption. With the exception of a few years spent at the A.M. Chesbrough Seminary at North Chili, New York, he has continued incessantly in the work of the minister until the present [1932], and has served many of the important appointments of the conference successfully." ~ History of the Pittsburgh Conference of the Free Methodist Church, 1932 by Rev. Arthur D. Zahniser and Rev. John B. Easton
ReplyDeleteI would say as it makes sense that 'every' person has been designed to be a 'part' of the body of Christ and not the whole body, that pastors can't be expected to become the fulfullment of the whole body within themselves to serve the full range of the many parts of the body represented in their congregation. They will have perceived stengths or weaknesses depending on what part of the body they are serving at the time, but they are who they are. I know we'd all love to have the "perfect" complete-package pastor who is everything to everyone, but it's simply not realistic. We can only hope for someone who truly loves God and does their best to become their best. Just my two cents . . . ~ Jen :-)
Wow, Jen! Thanks so much for taking the time to type in Uncle James' historical information! What a kind thing to do! What a nice thing to do! I'm VERY APPRECIATIVE!
DeleteI wish you could have known him! A jovial, rotund man with a deep bass voice. EVERYONE loved to hear JO pray! He brought Heaven to earth! He and Aunt Hannah were the original owners of the cottage that is presently owned by Jeff and Cathy Diddle. He allowed my parents to clean and use the cabin every year throughout my growing-up years (while he was located on other districts).
His godly heritage continues to bless those of us who knew and loved him! I can't wait to get to Heaven to enjoy him again!