The officers of the church are the cabinet of the pastor, and the
responsibilities and labors of the spiritual watch-care should be
shared with them. A wise use of these assistants will relieve him of
many a burden which otherwise he would needlessly bear and will secure
a much more general and effective supervision of the spiritual
interests of the church. For no pastor can accomplish all that needs to
be done; and if left to the church generally, very little effective
watch-care is exercised. Such consultation with the officers will often
save the pastor from mistakes, while the division of labor greatly
simplifies and relieves his work. It affords, also, a sphere of real
usefulness for the deacons, and serves to develop their gifts and
augment their religious power.
_Hints._--1. Have a regular meeting at convenient intervals--say once a
month or once in two months--and let each officer be invited and made
to share equally in the counsels and responsibility, thus avoiding
jealousies. Prepare thoroughly the business to be brought before them,
so that there may be no delay. 2. After the opening season of prayer,
read carefully the list of church members, and let each member needing
special care be definitely assigned to some one or more of the officers
to give at once the necessary attention. By this means any member
requiring a kindly suggestion or whose position is not understood may
be at once quietly reached; and, if in danger, may be saved before the
case has gone so far as to be beyond help. If this is faithfully done,
nearly all public discipline may be avoided and the tone of church-life
may be kept high and vigorous. 3. Let the general condition and welfare
of the church and plans for Christian labor and church extension be
here carefully considered; for here methods for advancing Christ's
cause through the church most naturally originate and may be most
wisely matured. Great care should be taken, however, that the meeting
does not lose its religious tone and degenerate into a mere clique for
church management. It may be made, by right guidance, a center of
religious interest and power in the congregation, while to the pastor
it secures the hearty confidence and co-operation of the trusted
counsellors and leaders of the church.