Helpers of Our Joy

Last Sabbath, I had the pleasure of hearing a couple of lectures about the history of the Church of God Seventh Day by Robert Coulter. Brother Coulter has served the Church of God Seventh Day (CG7) in many capacities over the decades. He was the president of the Denver General Conference for 24 years. He has also served as the Southeast District Superintendent, pastor of numerous churches, writer, author, and missionary to third world countries.

I worked closely with Mr. Coulter years ago when he was pastor and I was a member of the Grand Prairie, Texas CG7. It was during his pastorate that I came to better understand the Scripture which talks about ministers being helpers of our joy.

As pastor, Brother Coulter was able to meld various personalities together into a unified congregation. It was under his leadership and service that attendance increased dramatically. Because of his vision, many people were able to set up different ministries in that local group.

Brother Coulter stayed away from politics in the Grand Prairie church. He made everyone feel welcome. No one felt that he administered the church unfairly. He showed no favoritism.

I had the pleasure to serve on the local board in Grand Prairie while Brother Coulter was pastor. He came to a board meeting one day and said, “I am entitled to two weeks vacation and, with your approval, I would like to take off these two weeks.” He then gave us the dates. I wasn’t used to a pastor asking members for approval on vacation time.

Naturally, we approved his request. Then, one of the board members asked him what he was going to do with his two weeks. We wondered if he was going to go fishing or spend time playing golf or perhaps go see the Lawrence Welk Theater in Branson. He said, “No. I am going to go do some mission work in Africa for those two weeks.”

I was astounded and impressed that he would spend his two weeks of vacation preaching the Gospel of Jesus. What an example he was to his flock!

In this age when so many men who claim to be ministers of Jesus while lording over their flocks, I hope everyone in the Church of God can at some point have the pleasure to be in a church whose pastor demonstrates the humility demonstrated by Brother Coulter.

Nancy and I further had the pleasure of having lunch with Brother Coulter and his lovely new bride, Ida, yesterday. It was a great opportunity for him and me to reminisce about the old days. I didn’t hesitate to tell him how much I appreciated his service back in Grand Prairie.

Does your pastor exhibit humility and love and fairness? If he does exhibit these wonderful virtues, I hope you will tell him that you appreciate him. If not, I hope you will someday find a pastor like Brother Coulter.