Letter from Gus Harter to the Philippine Ministers
Regarding Financial Support
December 10, 2001
Elder Gus Harter's Letter
December 10, 2001
Dear Elder ______ ,
Our trip to America was of good benefit to the cause of Christ in the Philippines. Elders Cons Tejada, Manolo Dalman, Rolly de Guzman, and Ronnie Cabaobao spoke with soundness in the faith as well as great zeal. Their ministry was well received by our people all over the country. In a period of thirty-five days, we preached in thirty-eight different churches located in fifteen different states. Without exception we had almost capacity crowds and the meetings were both warm and spiritual. From the generosity of our brethren in the states enclosed you will find a check for P2,500.00.
I discussed with several ministers my desire to help the ministry in the Philippines. The concepts discussed were received well but very little continued commitment from either ministers or churches. However, the time has come to start something organized, biblical and equitable.
First we need to understand that the only biblical long-term method taught for the support of the ministry is one of two options:
(1.) A man should be supported by the flock, which he feeds. I. Corinthians 9:14 "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
(2.) Paul gives us an example of providing his own living by his personal work if the church is either unable or unwilling to support him. Acts 20:34 "Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me." I. Corinthians 9:15 "But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be done unto me." Read also II. Corinthians 12:14: "I will not be burdensome to you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."
However, I believe the first option mentioned is by far the better method and the basic pattern for the church and the pastor. It is my purpose to aid the ministry to help them for a few years to build up his flock and teach them responsibility to care for their pastor. If the pastor desires the full support of his congregation, the pastor must also realize that he must live at the same economic level of his flock.
In order that we are honorable to the contributors that give these funds, we must be guided by scriptural principle in our distributions. This month we will be developing a plan to begin in January 2002. Our first consideration is toward our ordained Elders who are faithfully serving a church each Sunday and not receiving support from other Primitive Baptist sources. The concern is that all faithful ministers would receive help and not duplicate support. Some of the guiding principles, which we will be considering are as follows:
(1.) Our ordained ministry will be considered first.
(2.) A minister must be diligent in his work. II. Thessalonians 3:10 "If any would not work, neither should he eat." Matthew 10:10 "For the workman is worthy of his meat."
(3.) The method that we are considering will be decreasing each year over a four or five year period. We do not desire to cripple the church by making them dependent.
(4.) The source of these funds is from individuals and churches in America and cannot be given unless the supplies come from there. In a few years we plan to have established churches in the Philippines planting churches at their expense.
(5.) There will be a series of things that must be done by both the pastor and the church in order to receive this support.
(6.) The concern of this particular effort is only to give temporary assistance so the pastor will have time to build up a church to support his labors. At this time I am not concerned with building church structures or purchasing of lands for congregations.
We are presently talking with several other denominations to understand the problems and pitfalls of this type of assistance. We want to help but have not finalized a plan. There are many other thoughts that have been considered in this endeavor and we welcomed your input in this matter.
During the month of December and January we will be constituting ten churches in Luzon, Bohol, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, and General Santos. Elder H. D. Fulmer and Travis Housley will be coming to the Philippines to aid in this work. We will also be ordaining several ministers. Those ministers close to these locations are encouraged to attend.
Your Servant in Christ,
(Signed in ink)
Elder Gus Harter
Comments on the above letter by a Philippine Elder
Reply from the recipient (name withheld):
This is the letter where Elder Harter enclosed that application for financial support I sent you. May I comment here about Elder Harter as shown by the letter. First, Elder Harter looks like the "boss" of the churches and ministers in the Philippines. He plans, he orders, everybody obeys, and subjects to him, including the American people who came from your country who were already briefed by Elder Harter. The Philippines is somewhat a stage for this religious puppet show. Elder Harter himself is the director. Omitting "Primitive" from Primitive Baptist, Elder Harter could have been the chief or chairman of the missionaries of his allies.
Elder Harter is saying that he will help to teach the churches of the Philippines how to support and care for their pastors, as if we do not know our Bibles, so that we have not taught this truth to the believers, and only his coming would unlock this principle from being kept. I hope Elder Harter knows that those Filipino ministers who have gone to the seminaries have at least a semester for this subject and would never graduate without putting it into practice. The truth is, Filipino believers give, but because we are literally poor, we live below poverty line. The Philippines is a third world country and 70% of its people belong in the poverty level, no matter how we give because prices of everything in the Philippines is high and there is no stable good-pay jobs, what we give is not enough to support a pastor (not because we are lax in teaching Biblical principles of giving). I hope Elder Harter should know also that to use the world's language, I am lucky that before I join the Primitive Baptists, I belong to a denomination that gives salary to their ministers and I was well-supported, but because of the truth found held by the Primitive Baptists, I left those sufficiency to the effect that I was in this poverty - which sovereign grace encourages me to keep on travelling the pilgrim way.
In the second to the last paragraph, of this letter, Elder Harter is saying that he is soliciting the help of several other denominations (as if Primitive Baptist scriptural principles and ideas do not work). The fish could really be caught by its mouth. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Elder Harter seems to enjoy a fellowship with others besides Primitive Baptists.
I could comment more but maybe I'll do it next time (I might run short of space if I don't). I have another letter to send you next time because the weight of my mail will already exceed to the minimum if I still include or enclose it here, and I lack budget. This is why I no longer use separate or other sheet in writing you [the message is written on the back of the original letter from Elder Harter.] I could only pay the minimum weight of the mail. I also desire to write or have more often communication (either by email or regular letter) to you. If the Lord will bless, and if it is alright to you, please help me with this.
Maybe you can download or attach this material (and perhaps the others that I may send) to your website. Maybe you can just block my name for protection. Brother, I have nowhere to run, in these trying times, but you. I need a line. Please pray for us. God bless you and your precious family, through the abundance of Christ. Amen.
A poor, small servant and brother in the Lord,
(Name Withheld).
(Written and signed in ink)
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