Presbytery of the East

April 2007

        The charge to the Congregation and to the Pastor given by Dr. Glenn Knecht at the installation of David O'Connell on March 11, 2007 is representative of the eloquence of his preaching and teaching.  The Presbytery recognizes the significance of his ministry and the fact that he has lived his lifetime serving Christ, not himself.  We are proud to be associated with him.

        For his many friends and supporters in the Presbytery of the East,

Moderator Hadley S. DePuy

David O’Connell Installation

Charge to congregation

I Corinthians 16:10-11

 

Fourth Presbyterian Church                                                              March 11, 2007

Bethesda Maryland                                                                                     6:00 p.m.

 

We as a people are privileged to have Dave O’Connell as one of our ministers. It is fitting that he should be recognized and encouraged by this service. 

 

It is also true that Dave and Laura are greatly blessed in having this Congregation as their first place of service in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first church that a minister serves…

               Shapes his ministry,

               Forms his attitudes,

               Develops his prayer life,

               Creates his preaching style, and

               Gives him experience in dealing with all kinds of people.

 

What a minister becomes in his first five years of service will determine everything about what he will be in the work of Christ. Another way of saying it is that what Dave will become will rise out of what happens here at the Fourth Presbyterian Church.

 

If that is a great privilege for us – to have a hand in the development of a young minister, it is also a huge responsibility. God is entrusting to us this precious servant of His for safe-keeping, nurturing, growing and preparing him for what is to come. 

 

Therefore we need the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit to fulfill this solemn obligation.  We find that in God’s Word in  I Corinthians 16: 10-11. “When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.”

 

From these words I would insist that certain things are required of us in relation to Dave O’Connell, our newest Associate Pastor. 

  

I.                CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH HE CAN GROW AND DEVELOP.

 

A.  Paul asks that Timothy may be with them “without fear.” Apparently Timothy was a somewhat timid soul, and Paul wanted to be sure that he could feel safe with them emotionally. That would involve, on their part, a joyful acceptance and a freedom from criticism.

 

The reason is not just that Dave is such a nice fellow, but that he is doing the very work of Christ.  As he studies, prays, talks with people, leads groups and plans events, he is doing the work of Christ. Sitting in meetings is serving Jesus Christ even though it may not always feel like it.  He is serving Christ, not himself, or his savings account, but Jesus Christ. This is not a stepping stone to some greater work. This is the work of the Lord.

 

II.             RESPECT HIM FOR HIS OFFICE

 

So Paul tells the Corinthians, “let no one despise him.”  That is, folk can sometimes look down upon the young.  But if we are tempted to do that, let us respect the office, the sacred calling, the ordination which crowns his life.

 

Sometimes the associates of Christian leaders do not receive the respect that their superiors do. That would be natural “in the world” but not in the kingdom of God, for here the greatest is called a servant. There is a parity in the Christian ministry. We do not have a hierarchy, but an equality of rank, though not of function.

 

III.          PROVIDE THE HELP HE NEEDS FOR HIS JOURNEY – HIS STAY AMONG US.

 

That is what Paul means when he says to send him on his journey “in peace.”  Let Dave not have to worry about the budget for his department, or have to cut corners. “Let us not arm with weapons cheap and blunt, the men and women who have borne the fruit of truth’s fierce battle, and nobly held their ground.”  Let there be “peace” that everything needful will be provided by loving friends.  And not only with funds, but with help in his labors. Ask him how you can assist his vital ministry with college and singles.

 

What an important group he serves. 

  • Pray for him and Laura and Andrew John.

  • Encourage them with your smile, your notes, your passing on to him something of what he means to this Body.

  • Speak well of him to everyone who asks. 

  • Inquire of him as to the outcome of his programs, retreats, messages, and Bible Studies. He will tell you honestly where there is strength and where there is need for more prayer and effort.

Conclusion:   We have in our hands the stewardship of a soul, a talented, trained dedicated soul. 

 

On the last day pastors and congregations will stand together before the Chief Shepherd, and give account of their treatment of each other in the work of the Lord.  Let us be ready for that day!

 

 

The Installation of David O’Connell

Charge to the Pastor

“THE MINISTRY IS FOR THE BRAVE”

I Corinthians 16:13    

 

Fourth Presbyterian Church                                                         March 11, 2007

Bethesda Maryland                                                                                 6:00 p.m.

 

Dave, I want to call you to a ministry of courage

  • Because of the Master we follow. He set His face like a flint toward the cross. Jesus Christ was the bravest man in all of history.

  • Because of the line of ministers in which you stand.  They have fought a good fight and bravely held their ground. They have passed the torch to us.  You are a spiritual descendant of John Knox, no less. 

  • Because of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. “He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

  • Because of the Kingdom we are building.  It comes not by observation, but by patient, persistent, courageous work day after day.

 This text will help us; it follows along from the word I gave to the Congregation.  It is I Corinthians 16:13. “Be watchful, be steadfast in the faith, be brave, be strong…” 

 

 This comes at the end of this important letter of Paul, with a certain urgency, a force that is not felt in every part of this writing.  You can tell from the staccato, compressed words that Paul writes. They are rivets to stay in our soul and hold you together when you feel that you might fly apart. They guard our souls, when we pass through the baptism of fire.

 

These words call you to be…

 

 I.                WATCHFULINESS IN THE MINISTRY.

 

It means…

  • To bring your most vital thought into your work.

  • To guard the flock you serve against divisions, the forfeit of their liberty, against complacency and error.

  • To see opportunities for ministry where others may have missed them, because they were not students of the times and of the Word.

  • To spy out magnificent acts of courage among the very people you serve, and to let them inspire you to a fresh courage.

 II.             STAND FAST IN THE FAITH

  • This calls you to guard your own soul against self-deception, being suspicious of your motives and relentless in the pursuit of a transparent conscience.

  • The cynic will come and try to dash your faith – stand fast.

  • The devil will come disguised as an angel of light and try to get you to make small compromises in doctrine or ethics.

  • The strange woman may come to draw you into pity.

  • The love of lucre may arise in your heart and steal your affections from the poor.

  • The love of ease and luxury may come.  It is a hazard in a vocation where we have freedom in the use of time.  Stand against softness and slothfulness.

  • The pressure of persecution may assail you and you are to withstand it in the faith.

 

In what faith are you to stand?  “The faith once delivered to the saints.” At its heart is an atoning Savior and a risen Lord and a living Holy Spirit and the eternal Word of God.

 

III. BE BRAVE

 

The minister is always facing dangers of one sort or another. Ask God to help you see them and 

  •        Cultivate courage in the pulpit. Don be afraid of their faces, every one of them is having a hard time.  Help them with your words and your prayers.

  •        Preach the whole counsel of God not holding back on anything which might offend. Preach the truth in love.

  •         Confront the erring in your flock with tenderness, with firm kindness. To restore the erring is one of the most neglected and difficult parts of the ministry, because it requires so much bravery.

 IV.  BE STRONG

 

 The Greek original here is really, "Be a man!"  “Play the man.”  This word calls you not only to be manly, but “mighty in spirit” so that the devil himself is surprised by you. 

  • Show the world that the Christian faith is a brave and courageous thing.

  • Be strong in your life of prayer.

  • Be strong in your self-control.  People find it hard to take advice from a minister who lacks self-control. You need to have an iron grip upon yourself.

  • Be strong in love – showing affection for all the flock, especially the inconsistent and hostile.  Be a shepherd to the whole flock – all ages and sorts of people.  Remember the words of Dr. Denny, “Be the shepherd of the flock, not ‘the pet lamb.’”

 

Conclusion:  You are at the point in your life and ministry where bravery is most needed. This is the hour to cultivate it and rejoice in it.  This is your calling and election.  It is not for weaklings or the mere professional who expects an easy ride. 

 

                    “Fight well and thou shalt see,

                     after these wars

                    Thy head wear sunbeams

                    and thy feet tread stars.”

 

The ministry is for the brave – others need not apply.