September 29, 2006
Everyone's a Winner
This is the political season for the church, as well as for the nation. In my church, under the present administration, elder candidates are selected by the current leadership and then the congregation is expected to ratify their choice. With this method of election every candidate listed will become an elder because those in authority are picking the leaders. Scripture clearly states that mature Christians are discerning and we can make ‘judgments about all things’, 1 Cor 2:15 NIV. By limiting the field of elder candidates to only those that the leadership selects takes away my right of spiritual discernment. Personally speaking, I think qualified men with elder credentials shouldn't be eliminated from service by means of a controlled ballot.
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Gail;
----The selection of elders in today's churches is a particularly sore spot to me. I like what you wrote September 28, "It seems to me if the church is looking for a new focus, it should consider re-focusing on Christ." I know there can be a bit of controversy about how to "focus on the Lord," but by far the consensus will agree upon obedience to the Word. In the New Testament we find Paul instructing Timothy and Titus to appoint elders. He made no direct mention of congregational approval.
So in reality, these elders have moved closer to the Biblical technique of elder selection.
----But that is merely the form of the problem, and therefore not really the problem. The substance of the problem is with the character of the elders making the selections, and therefore the discernment used (or not) in making those selections. Men are to grow up into the Lord until they have reached a spiritual roundness that stands out in godliness from the rest of the crowd (fullness of the likeness of Christ). These men are recognizable, especially to other men who have reached that spiritual maturity earlier. Therefore eldership is a succession of godly, spiritual men following one another through the spiritual mentoring of the gathering of believers.
----But what is painfully visible today is that the godliness is mostly show, and the spiritual mentoring of the gathering mostly a no-show. There is mentoring, don't mistake what I am saying, but that mentoring is a philosophical mentoring of those who are going to be elders next. Of course, the philosophy is always that of those who are the elders now. The choice of eldership no longer rests upon Biblical standards of godliness and spirituallity. Good behavior and a fine reputation are important, but the ability to produce the right show is imperative.
----I am so glad that Christ's church is alive and well on earth. It is not as readily apparent as is the First Church of Appearance, but it is right there whithin it. Those who are godly and spiritually mature in His obedient body are recognized by all who belong to it. And the behavior of those men and women does indeed inspire all who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
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