There are many reasons churches create directories.
Ranging from
the nostalgia that comes from remembering saints gone by,
to the laughter that comes from the hair and clothes 15 years removed from their hay-day,
or to having something to read in bathroom,
church directories are a nice item to have.
The Second Most Important Book
Nice as those things may be, the main reason for producing a church directory is for discipleship.
Mark Dever (one of the most influential voices in my life concerning pastoral ministry) is famous for saying, “Next to the bible, this is the most important book I own.”
Dever says this because the most important book, the bible, says this:
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)”
And
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you (1 Peter 5:2)”
A Tool For Prayer
As elders and pastors, by having a church directory, we can be regularly reminded of the saints that the Lord has entrusted us to watch over, those we will give account for; those that are among us. The directory then becomes useful, not simply for nostalgia, or laughter, or something to set on the coffee table, but useful as a tool for prayer, not just for elders, but for every member.
Once these are made available, every member of the church will be able to (online or in print) take time each to pray through “The A’s” on Mondays, the “B’s” on Tuesdays, “The C’s” on Wednesdays and so on, putting names with faces and faces with names.
Using the directory as a tool can only be beneficial in our mission to make disciples so Jesus is worshipped in Tonkawa and the nations, and I’m looking forward to getting them in our hands.
More Than Bathroom Reading
Why a Church Directory?
There are many reasons churches create directories.
Ranging from
church directories are a nice item to have.
The Second Most Important Book
Nice as those things may be, the main reason for producing a church directory is for discipleship.
Mark Dever (one of the most influential voices in my life concerning pastoral ministry) is famous for saying, “Next to the bible, this is the most important book I own.”
Dever says this because the most important book, the bible, says this:
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)”
And
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you (1 Peter 5:2)”
A Tool For Prayer
As elders and pastors, by having a church directory, we can be regularly reminded of the saints that the Lord has entrusted us to watch over, those we will give account for; those that are among us. The directory then becomes useful, not simply for nostalgia, or laughter, or something to set on the coffee table, but useful as a tool for prayer, not just for elders, but for every member.
Once these are made available, every member of the church will be able to (online or in print) take time each to pray through “The A’s” on Mondays, the “B’s” on Tuesdays, “The C’s” on Wednesdays and so on, putting names with faces and faces with names.
Using the directory as a tool can only be beneficial in our mission to make disciples so Jesus is worshipped in Tonkawa and the nations, and I’m looking forward to getting them in our hands.
Until He Comes,
Josh