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RENDEZVOUS

Measuring success in rural ministry

by Jim Carlson, Lone Rock

There’s nothing quite like getting a load of firewood. The joy comes from many directions: the crisp mountain air, the crash of the tree on the forest floor, the smell of the chips flying from the saw, the physical exercise, the fellowship in the chore (if possible!), the creaking and groaning of a full pickup coming down the narrow mountain road and, especially, the woodshed filling up!

I’ve analyzed this twisted form of recreation and have decided that the main reason I like to go firewoodin’ is because, in sharp contrast to ministry, I can actually measure my success. I know when I’ve started, when I’m finished, and exactly what’s been accomplished.

For fifteen years Dave Knight served as pastor of the Augusta (Montana) Community Church. He and Millie were plopped into this remote cow town by the Mission directly from their lifelong roots in Philadelphia. The Knights’ three children were raised in Augusta. Dave got involved in the community: he drove ambulance for the Quick Response Unit and worked at the Mannix general store. An exemplary Bible student, Dave preached faithfully and forcefully. He buried dozens of Augusta’s townsfolk in the hillside cemetery at the edge of town.

Successfully? That would depend on the yardstick. During Dave’s long tenure Sunday morning attendance never really took off. Families came and went. Dave endured some criticism, but determined to stay the course until he was convinced God would move him on.

One other of Dave Knight’s ministry commitments deserves mention. He habitually walked the streets of Augusta and prayed for its people. He followed the adage that "more is accomplished by talking to God about men than by talking to men about God." He recognized that spiritual warfare is real, that our weapons are not fleshly, and prayer is vital. So Dave prayed continually.

Several years ago Dave was called to pastor the Heritage Bible Church in Butte, Montana. The pastoral responsibilities for Augusta Community Church are now being met by the leadership team from nearby Montana Wilderness School of the Bible. MWSB is a longtime friend of the Mission, and has enjoyed a positive presence in the Augusta area for many years. The Word of God is faithfully being preached, and services are full and lively. Over 30 women have enrolled in a ladies’ Bible study, one requiring commitment and even homework! A youth pastor now lives in the church parsonage, and many of the youth of Augusta are responding to his ministry. The gospel is clearly making headway in this remote cow town.

"Clearly" here means "visibly," because in this life we’ll never know how much true spiritual progress was being made by the seed sowing, the prayer vigil, the faithfulness of Dave Knight, these compared to the harvest that’s now gladly being gathered in by the brethren of MWSB. Remember, this business is just impossible to measure. Besides, as the apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth," (1 Corinthians 3.6-7).

And what’s Dave up to now? Pastoring the flock in Butte, delivering newspapers early in the morning, praying as he goes . . .