Episode 250: Church Roundtable—Training Office Bearers Who Love Ministry—Jeff Weima & Chad Workhoven (Part 2)

“This is the kind of leadership that I’m looking to help develop here in the [CRC]—guys who cannot wait to share the good…news of the gospel [and] the full counsel of God’s Word as we’ve been able to express it so well in Reformed theology.” —Chad Workhoven

“The church, in a sense, gets the leaders that it…deserves…If we don’t treat these as important positions and don’t value them highly or esteem them for their work, as Paul says…we shouldn’t be surprised if people who do have gifts for leadership don’t take or consider carefully a call to either ministry or serving in another way.” —Jeff Weima

Summary of This Episode

Jason and Willy are back this week for our Equipping Officebearers roundtable with Dr. Jeff Weima (Calvin Theological Seminary) and Rev. Chad Werkhoven (Worthington CRC). Chad extends on Dr. Weima’s application of 1 Thessalonians 2 by highlighting the delight and readiness expressed by the apostle Paul about sharing the gospel. “This is the kind of leadership that I’m looking to help develop here in the [CRC]—guys who cannot wait to share the good…news of the gospel [and] the full counsel of God’s Word as we’ve been able to express it so well in Reformed theology.”

Jason invites Jeff and Chad to reflect on if most officebearers have this imagery in their minds about what they are called to do. Jeff admits likely not, but he puts the blame on the lack of equipment and orientation for new officebearers historically. Leadership takes training, and it’s unfair to call people without equipping them. Chad builds on that, sharing anecdotally, when you show people how you’re going to train them and what the expectations are, while it may seem like the extensiveness is a deterrent, it’s actually appreciated for its clarity.

Playing devil’s advocate, Jason proposes the pushback of “but it’s already hard to find people willing to serve.” Jeff shares this isn’t about easy or quick fixes. However, he believes we need to elevate the importance of all officebearers. One thing done in the past is heightened visibility of those serving in these roles. He puts it bluntly: “The church, in a sense, gets the leaders that it…deserves…If we don’t treat these as important positions and don’t value them highly or esteem them for their work, as Paul says…we shouldn’t be surprised if people who do have gifts for leadership don’t take or consider carefully a call to either ministry or serving in another way.” Chad offers a plug for the Promote and Defend training that he’s put together that is meant to help incoming officebearers understand the commitment being made when signing the Covenant for Officebearers. He does point out, though, we need an attitude shift from people serving in a way that is begrudgingly “I have to do this” to a joyful “I get to do this!” Those of us serving need to model a proper attitude and pray the Spirit would fill us and others with a desire to serve.

Jason then brings up, how can we help each other? From the seminary side of things, CTS is in the business of leadership development, which Dr. Weima reminds is both providing skills and forming good character. We see instances of lack of skills but high character and plenty of skills but poor character—forming both is part of what CTS seeks to do. He also reminds all officebearers that auditing classes in-person or online is an affordable option. Chad sees leaders who are creating content needing to work together, but also doing the work of helping raise up men who are willing to be licensed to exhort across our churches.

Willy asks what each of them would say to encourage leaders to raise up leaders. Jeff calls us not to underestimate leading by example. We can empower by allowing others to shadow us and to mentor them well—the time is worth it. Chad encourages those interested in teaching to do it, and to use the Confessions as their curriculum. As they head into their final words, Jeff encourages those contemplating being an officebearer to know and trust that God has more than enough power to equip those he calls. If you’re willing to pray that he would use you, be willing to be used! Chad closes by reminding us of the encouragement in 1 Peter 5 that we are called to be willing and there is the promise of an “unfading crown of glory when Christ returns”—what more can motivate us?