In this issue:
Fan into Flame: Fulfill Your Ministry!
Opportunities: Outreach Church Action Group and The Writing Pastor
Resources: Mission Partners Outreach
Monthly Resource: Charles Bridges on The Christian Ministry

Fan into Flame: Fulfill Your Ministry!
…fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4.5

Which of us does not want to feel like we’re doing a good job at our calling? Who takes up a calling to ministry without intending to fulfill all the Lord expects of Him?

Well, apparently a good many pastors. Because increasingly, pastors are giving up on the work of evangelism. They’re not doing any evangelism themselves, they aren’t equipping their people to evangelize their neighbors, and they don’t really expect that they or their church will proclaim the Gospel to their community – except, of course, as that community shows up for worship on Sunday morning.

So how’s that workin’?

We cannot fulfill our ministries without a conscious and continuous effort to do the work of an evangelist. Here’s the full text of 2 Timothy 4.5: But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

We are becoming a generation of non-evangelistic evangelicals, and that oxymoron merely testifies to our foolish attempts to fulfill our ministries without doing the work of evangelism and without leading our churches in outreach to our communities.

Jesus explained that one of our primary duties as shepherds of God’s flock is bringing other sheep into the fold. As I wrote in Fan into Flame, A primary duty of the shepherds of God’s flock is to lead the church in Gospel outreach to the community. As our Good Shepherd sought to save the lost, so must we. As I have already spoken about the pastor’s work as primary evangelist in the church, I won’t add anything more at this point. Suffice it to say that, if we expect church members to be active in the work of evangelism, then we must lead the way in this aspect of the work of shepherding, as in all others.

How are you working to carry out this aspect of your calling as a shepherd? Does your weekly schedule include some deliberate work of reaching out to the lost? Are you equipping and leading your church to reach out to your community with the Good News of the Kingdom of God?

And if not, how are you expecting to fulfill the calling our Lord has placed upon you?

Opportunities: Outreach Church Action Group and The Writing Pastor
Our Outreach Church Action Group will begin meeting in October. We’re looking for twelve men who will commit to six months of study, prayer, and mutual encouragement and accountability, as we explore ways of taking up the work of evangelism in our ministries and churches.

We’ll work through the Mission Partners Outreach program together (see on), meeting once a month as a group, and pairing up for an additional monthly meeting in a two-by-two arrangement. A series of videos will include instruction in the work of evangelism and interviews with pastors who are doing outreach in their communities. Each participant will choose one activity to take up in leading his church to reach out to the local community with the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I’ll send you more detailed information about this opportunity. If we get more than 12 men who want to work through this, we’ll open another section.

This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to start leading your flock to reach and find the lost sheep of the Lord in your community. There is no charge for participating in this Outreach Church Action Group, and all the study materials and online meetings are free. All I ask is a solid commitment to see the effort through to completion.

Also, beginning in October, I will have three slots available to lead men through our course, The Writing Pastor. If you’ve ever wondered about how you might enlarge and extend your ministry through writing, this course can help. It’s a one-on-one series of sessions that includes teaching, readings, exercises, and feedback designed to help you get started using writing as a powerful tool in your ministry. Some pastors who have taken this course have even published a book as part of their course work. The course is free (there is a $25 charge for the course workbook), but only three slots are available. If you’re interested, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Resources: Mission Partners Outreach
Are you looking for a vehicle to help your people begin to work their Personal Mission Fields more consistently and effectively?

Watch the brief video introducing our Mission Partners Outreach, a six-month, stay-at-home, missions project designed to help your church members begin reaching out to others with the love of Christ. The program involves six months of study, prayer, meeting together, and starting to reach out to others, following a schedule and using proven resources to equip your people for the work of evangelism.

There is no charge for this program, and it’s available for anyone in your church. Watch the video, download the informational flyer, then encourage your folks to get involved in this life-changing opportunity.

Monthly Resource: Charles Bridges on The Work of Ministry
This month’s Pastor to Pastor resource features readings from Charles’ Bridges excellent book, The Christian Ministry. Bridges was an evangelical Anglican pastor during the first part of the 19th century. His book explains what the work of ministry entails and what can keep us from fulfilling our calling. The 28 readings in this free PDF download are coupled with Scripture, a brief commentary, and questions for reflection. This could be an excellent source for a review of your calling, or for helping you church’s leaders gain a better understanding of what you – and they – are called to by the Lord.

Please let us know how we can serve you at The Fellowship of Ailbe. May the Lord’s blessings be with you in all things.

We’re happy to provide Pastor to Pastor and other online resources at no charge. If this ministry is helpful to you, please prayerfully consider joining those who support our work financially. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

You can download this month’s devotional readings, The Work of Ministry, by clicking here.