Tying Up Loose Ends

By Ellis Crum

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     All evangelists should so labor that they can say with Paul, "I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." The apostle added: "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation" (Rom. 15:20). The true evangelist will desire to work at least some in virgin territory.

     What is the responsibility of evangelists toward those whom he has led to Christ in an area where there is no congregation already existing? He must organize and band these new Christians into a congregation. A regular meeting place must be sought. Perhaps one of the members will offer his home, or a suitable hall will be rented. The evangelist will guide them in selecting the time that is most convenient for the membership. It is only natural, logical, and appropriate that the new babes in Christ look to the evangelist for guidance and assistance.

     The scriptural precedent for evangelists guiding congregations without elders is found in Titus 1:5. "I left you in Crete to set right matters which needed attention, and gave you instructions to appoint elders in every city" --Letters to Young Churches, by J. B. Phillips. Hugh J. Schonfield in The Authentic New Testament speaks of Titus' work as being "to tie up what loose ends were left and ordain elders in each town." In a new congregation some of the things requiring attention might be the selection of a

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treasurer, trustees, someone to prepare the Lord's Supper, clean the meeting house, etc. Before elders can be appointed, oftentimes there are many "loose ends" that need tying up. An evangelist should not ordain bishops amid a seething caldron of confusion, clashing personalities, or unfinished disciplinary action. The congregation and candidates should be at peace among themselves. Evangelists do the congregation and overseers an injustice when they do not first "set right the things which still require attention," as Weymouth puts it.

     Preachers and others have been known to refer to the ordination of officers as "setting the church in order." As we have noted, they are to first "finish putting things right" (Moffatt), or "amend what was defective" (RSV), before the appointment of elders takes place. An evangelist cannot "set in order the things that are wanting" in one or two days' time. It may take him longer than this to observe and determine what is lacking. A considerable amount of time will generally be required "to rectify the things that are deficient." It is perhaps a mistake to attempt to state the amount of time that will be required. If a long period is suggested, some may get discouraged; if a shorter period is estimated, and the goal is not achieved, others will be disappointed. While much depends upon the evangelist, even more depends upon the congregation.

     If a congregation has just been planted, in addition to extensive teaching and guidance, it will take "time" to remove the obstacle of "not a novice" for officer candidates. Also, if all the male members are extremely young it may involve a waiting period before it would be expedient to consider appointment of elders. There are oftentimes many who "desire" the office of a bishop; however, few are willing to work toward truly qualifying. The word "desire" as used in 1 Timothy 3:1, properly denotes "to reach or stretch out." It carries the idea of reaching after, longing after, or striving to obtain. It does not carry the idea of campaigning for the office in a modern Diotrephesian style! A man once told me his idea of true elder material was one who was so qualified that he would be sought out by the congregation, rather than one who is obviously seeking the office, as evidenced by his words and actions. This certainly agrees with the Bible precedent set in Acts 6:3. If the spirit-filled apostles did not make the selection, then evangelists today would certainly be out of order to state who should be selected. The selecting and appointing powers are distinct and separate.

     The only way an evangelist should influence a congregation in their selection of officers is by his teaching and outlining of the scriptural qualifications necessary for elders and deacons. Before elders are ordained evangelists will give instructions to each group in the church, with the exception of the young women, who are to be taught by the aged women, according to Titus 2:4. Preachers must teach by example (1 Tim. 4:12) as well as word of mouth (Titus 2:1). He will also "give attendance to reading" which seems to be the public reading of the scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13). In this way the body is refreshed and nourished with the pure, living waters. It is the duty of evangelists to see that the studies and meetings do not degenerate into discussions "which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith" (1 Tim. 1:4).

     Another responsibility of an evangelist is to protect the infant congregation from false teachers. Paul told Titus, "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject" (Titus 3:10). Someone must guide the babes of Christ and lead the congregation in restoring the fallen and disciplining the unruly. The work of an evangelist that we have been discussing in this article cannot be done in mail-order fashion. It requires the personal presence of the preacher. Of course from Titus 1:5 it is evident that Titus was not present at the various congregations every time that they assembled. His work was with a plurality of churches. Evangelists today can work with more than one congregation; however, they should not have such a busy schedule

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that they seldom see those they are endeavoring to guide and "set in order." He should keep the congregations informed as to where they can reach him should a door of opportunity be opened, or in the event of trouble. With modern means of communication and transportation, evangelists of this age can get to congregations more quickly than Titus could travel about Crete, an island measuring 140-160 miles long, and from 6-35 miles wide. Alexander Campbell once wrote: "Some who call themselves evangelists in this our day more strikingly resemble the ostrich than the first preachers. The ostrich drops its egg in the sand, and leaves it to the sun and sand--to heaven and earth, to take care of it; and then itinerates the desert. Their character as evangelists is skillfully depicted in the book of Job...(39:13-16) Behold the picture! You galloping itinerants, see your prototype, and reform!" --Millennial Harbinger, Vol. VI, pp.527.

     The New Testament evangelist who is endeavoring to do the work that Titus did on the Isle of Crete will spend as much time as possible with each congregation he is attempting to set in order. The job cannot be done by holding the "annual two weeks' meeting." A brief visit two or three times a year will not accomplish the task either. Congregations which send a man forth to start a new work should also sustain him in the area until the job is completed. (To be continued).