Last Sunday evening Charles Fuller’s grandson gave the charge to Tom Steller. Steve Fuller is the assistant pastor of San Gabriel Union Church in California where Tom worked while going to Fuller Seminary. Steven’s father, Dan, was the most influential teacher I ever had. So the threads of affection were happily tangled at Tom’s ordination.

On September 1 Tom begins his full time service at Bethlehem as Assistant Pastor for Student and Education Ministries. This means that he will be working with the C.E. Board and the Sunday School Superintendents in the area of adult education, and will be increasing his ministry of teaching, training and evangelism in the college and career area—TOSHAVIM (pronounced toe-shah-veem). He will be teaching a Greek class for any church members interested in starting mid-September (register now! My wife is going to take it. Hurray!). Those who would like to see an official job description from last December’s annual meeting can inquire at the church office.

Tom is clearly committed to us. Now there is a charge laid on us as well. I gave the charge to the church last Sunday; and now I want to print it here. There are six admonitions how we should treat Tom Steller.

1) Provide for his material needs.

1 Corinthians 9:14 “The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”

Galatians 6:6 “Let him who is taught share all good things with him who teaches.”

2) Honor him in love for his valuable work.

1 Thessalonians 5:12f  “We beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”

3) Submit to him as God’s appointed guide.

Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

4) Imitate his godly life and faith and joy.

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”

5) Pray for him.

2 Corinthians 1:11 “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.”

6) Help him by working at his side.

Philippians 4:3 “…like Euodia and Syntyche who labored side by side with Paul in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the book of life.”

Excited about working with Glenn and Tom,

Pastor John