Fellow Workers

Joel Stephen Williams

Recently I purchased a beautifully preserved hardback Revised Standard Version New Testament in a used bookstore. My old favorite leather RSV NT had simply fallen apart many years ago, and I could not find a replacement like it anywhere. This hardback RSV NT has large, easily readable print for my poor eyesight, so I fell in love with it immediately. There was not a mark anywhere in it . . . except for a beautiful inscription in the front pages. Apparently one minister given it to another minister on behalf of a congregation in gratitude for his service on May 24, 1953.

May this token of love on behalf of the Church always find you supporting it by your prayers, presence, gifts, and your service. And may God use you in the establishment of His Kingdom – and bless your every creative endeavor.

What a wonderful sentiment and spirit of fellowship between two ministers of the gospel working in harmony together.

Fellow workers are united in a common cause. The church at Corinth was suffering from various divisions. One of the appeals the apostle Paul made to try to resolve these divisions was to show that he was a fellow worker with other godly servants like Apollos. It did not matter who did one part of the work or another part of the work, because it is God who makes it fruitful. God gives the increase. We are merely fellow workers in God’s vineyard who are privileged to serve (1 Cor. 3:1–9).

Fellow workers should commend and encourage one another. Paul commended Titus, Epaphroditus, Clement, Euodia and Synteche (even as he urged them to agree in the Lord), Epaphras, Tychicus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, Demas, and Luke (2 Cor. 8:16–17, 23–24; Phil. 2:25; 4:2-3; Col. 1:6-7; 4:7; 10-11; Phile. 1:1-2, 23–24). The apostle John did the same (3 John 5-8). Likewise, as the minister encouraged another minister by giving him a Bible and writing the lovely note in it, as I mentioned above, all of us should encourage our fellow workers and commend their work to others so that good work may be supported by Christians everywhere.

Fellow workers hold their fellows accountable and encourage them to strive for excellence. We are fellow workers, but that does not mean we should look the other way when a brother or sister is wandering from the path of truth. Instead, we should urge others to strive for excellence in our service for Christ. The apostle Peter, as an elder himself, exhorted his fellow elders, “Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 1:5-6).

The need for fellow workers is great. Missionaries are often working alone or as an isolated family. They need fellow workers to support their efforts, even if all you can do is write letters and pray. That alone will be a great encouragement. Many ministries in a large congregation need workers – for example, benevolence, ministry to widows or orphans, or World Bible School – and your help will make a difference. What do you enjoy doing? What is your godly passion? Find other workers with the same interest and join yourself to them as a fellow worker.