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BY RICK KNOTH Those first few years as an associate don't sqy it all. he drive to the Midwest was the pastor confirmed I had not missed God's . They go the extra mile to become truly Tlongest and loneliest of my life-I'll will. I learned that success in ministry efficient team players. never forget it. I was 3 years saved, had has little to do with the place of service, . They demonstrate unwavering loyalty just graduated in 2 years with a 4-year the size of the church, or the salary to their senior pastors. Bible degree, and was en route to my package. It has everything to do with . They are committed to principles- first "official" ministry position. Most faithfulness. before programs. associate pastors have opportunity to Many choice servants of God minis- . They show fortitude, persistence, visit the churches they have been called ter in obscurity, in places where few will determination, and endurance. to serve. I didn't. Call it a "leap" of faith, ever notice their efforts. Though their . They commit to the long haul with the a "witness of the Spirit," or a lack of contribution to Kingdom-building may end result in mind. understanding standard ministerial pro- seem to go unnoticed, their labor and What will others say of you after you tocol, I went, not having seen where I faithful service is in God's plain view. leave your place of ministry? Steven was going. I wondered if this was how it The issue is not where we serve, but Covey, author of Seven Habits if High{y was for Abraham; except he was mar- when and how we serve. litJective People, lists as habit #2: ried, and I wasn't. In the corporate world, few will "Begin with the end in mind." How do Four doors of ministry had opened to argue that business owners and man- you want to be remembered? Will you be me upon graduation. Those closest to agers agree upon one thing: improving described as someone who was stead- me wondered if reason went out the the company's bottom line. Increasing a fast and ardent, unswerving, commit- window when I accepted a position in company's profits involves a high level ted, dependable, and faithful? the smallest church, the farthest from of commitment and close association Listen to Paul: "Now it is required home, with the lowest salary, to work from the top levels of management. The that those who have been given a trust with a pastor with the least experience. company's success lies not only in the must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2, I would be spending the first years of my greatness and vision of its executives NIV). Notice that Paul said nothing ministry career smack in the heart of but also in the community contribution about success. God will not ask you why America, where wheat fields dance to of its managers and employees. you were not successful, but He will ask the wind, and sunflowers grow en Ministers also want success. you why you were not faithful. masse. After a brief visit with family However, unlike corporate America, the Faithfulness, not success, is a worthy and friends in Michigan, I crammed church's bottom line is driven by people, goal for any associate. [g everything dear to me into my 1974 not profits. Successful churches are pas- Chevy Nova and a 5- by 8-foot U-Haul@ tored by men and women who know the trailer. value of unharnessing the full ministry Tears blurred my eyes as I turned off potential of each member of the min- the street I grew up on and headed due istry team. God places associate pastors west. An overwhelming sense of uncer- in the church for good reason. They are tainty nagged at my heart. With a muted in ministry to make a difference-to cry I said, "God do You really know what impact lives, to serve the local church, You are doing here? Have I missed Your and to lighten the pastor's load. Senior will somewhere in all of this? Isn't there pastors set the tone, either by limiting a church closer to home that needs an or encouraging the natural expression associate pastor?" In that silent of an associate's ministry. moment of questioning, I heard the gen- Several qualities stand out in all tle voice of the Spirit say, "This is right. great associates: Trust Me. Keep driving." . They realize their job descriptions ENRICHMENT . 1 DO YOU SEE :\GROWING TREND WITH MORE OF OUR MINISTERS STAVING LONGER IN THE ASSOCIATEROLE.--EVENPOSSIBLYAS A CAREER? I see it not only as a possibility but as a probability. I feel a call to an associate position is as important as a call to a senior position. It could very well be a lifetime calling. I had an associate, Bruce Gunn, who was divinely called to be an associate pastor. He had been an associate for 38 years and served on my staff for 10 years before he retired. He knew his calling and fulfilled his role wonder- fully. He was a great asset and was loyal to me as a pastor, loyal to the church, and loyal to the Fellowship-he exemplified fully and beautifully the associate pastor's role. Now, there are some who feel like the asso- ciate position is a stepping-stone. I've never believed it. I believe there are times when God An associate's success is one factor the senior pastor should never view as a threat but should rejoice. In my role as senior pastor, I wanted to find the strongest, the best, the most capable associates I could find because they helped carry the load. They made the senior pastor look good. I wanted them to have the joy of succeeding and the joy of having the congregation appreciate them and love them. I look at the associate as pastoring a small- er congregation within a larger congregation. Whether it be the youth, college, singles, or the senior citizens, each group becomes the asso- ciate's congregation. It's important that they have a close relationship with that segment of the congregation and know they have the sup- port of the senior pastor. Senior pastors should be thrilled when God is blessing their associ- ates' ministry-never jealous but always rejoicing with those who rejoice. As A PASTOR,HOW DID YOUCHOOSEASSO- CIATES? WHAT DID YOU LOOK FOR? First of all, I never looked at a resume. I liked to look the prospective associate in the eyes- to find out the spirit of the person, to look for a servant's heart. I wanted to know what the individual's calling was. I looked at goals, ambition, and passion-was it for people? was it to minister? was it just a job? I wasn't inter- ested in associates who were just looking for positions, titles, or monetary reward. I wanted people who had a passion for ministry. Some years ago I was interviewing for a staff position in the church. I shared the responsibilities and ministry description and indicated to the young man interviewing for the position that the church board would be very generous in its financial remuneration. Then I asked him if he had any questions. He said, "Yes. Brother Trask, what is my pack- age?" When he said that, he told me where his heart was. I thanked him for coming but never HOW CAN THE ASSOCIATE BE THE MOST HELP TO A SENIOR PASTOR? An associate must maintain loyalty to the senior pastor. Now, that doesn't mean that the associate always agrees with the senior pastor. If the associate remains teachable, loyal, and has a servant's heart, the senior pastor will be well served. As I travel across the Fellowship, I see asso- ciates who fill that role beautifully. They are fulfilled and happy; they are not chaffing; they are not looking for greener pastures. God has placed them where they are to be servants to made' contact with him again. Financial gain their senior pastors. That's the best way they should" never be our motivation for seeking a can be of help. ministry position. i ' ? DID YOU USE THE SAME CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A MUSIC ASSOCIATE? Yes. I looked for musical talent, but my first goal was to look at the spirit of the person. I maintained that if I had a person with the right spirit, I could train that person. I hired the spirit. If an associate was not teachable, the right gifts wouldn't help. HOW ARE ASsEMBLIES OF GoD ASSOCIATE PASTORS MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE FELLOWSHIP? . The47th Generat Council of the Assemblies of God is scheduled for August 5-10, 1997, in Indianapotis, Ind. It's important that not only the credential holder but the First of all, I want to say thank you to every laity attend this important event in the life of our Fellowship. By being there, you will associate because they make the burden and gain a perspective of the larger body of Christ as people come from all across the responsibility of the senior pastor much America and from overseas. lighter. Associates are holding up the senior The inspiration, instruction, and the business matters of the church will give you a pastors' hands. They are the Aarons and Hurs greater appreciation for the Fellowship of which you are a part. Then, of course, the in ministry today. They are a tremendous preaching and the services are the highlight of every General Council.