Not every pastor will share the same information with an elder nominating committee but this is the information that I share.
First, this is a very important job. It need not take a lot of time but that doesn’t minimize its importance. The importance comes down to this: leaders set the direction, pace, and tone for a church (where we go, how fast we go, and our manner as we go there). If the person is inhospitable, for example, the congregation will eventually become inhospitable. Hosea 4:9 says, “Like leaders, like people.” The nominating committee is about bringing to the congregation a considered list of the best leaders for them to select for the life of the church.
Second, there is in scripture a principle of delegated authority intended for progress in ministry. Exodus 18:21-25 illustrates the principle. Moses selects capable persons to assist him with the work of leading the Hebrew people. Understand that this is not a board of directors over Moses but a team of assistants under him. The chain of leadership influence is that Jesus sets the direction, pace, and tone for pastors, pastors for elders, elders for congregation, and congregation for community.
Third, the delegated authority is also instructional. I Timothy 3:2 says elders are to be able to teach and the other qualities of life are those that are to be imitated. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 say that the leaders should be respected and imitated. A very simple way of looking at ministry is that it is the personal life of devotion brought to the level of public influence.
I read you blog about being asked to be an elder and what they are expect to do and know. I also read the monthly news letter, you talk about first and second and third and fourth choice, I have been on serveral nominating committee at CPC and have not always agree with how they choose people for the job. I guess when I was selected I was either third or forth choice, but I always did my best in doing my job as a elder and a deacon. I may not know the bible as well as I should, but I know I have always brought to the session my talents. I am not sure why I am writing this as I don't know if you even see these post. So what happen if the first and second choice say no, do you tell the people they were the third or fourth choice or the one left to say yes. Why do I say this because the only way I got to be an deacon long time ago was to asked if I could come off the nominating committee to selected for a deacon. I served my time as elder and the problem I had was you had the 20 percent who worked their butts off and the 80 percent who just went to the meeting and shook their head and agreeed with everything. Yet, in some eyes they were the greatest because they gave the church so much money and not time. Okay I'll get off my soap box!! God Bless you Janet Willis
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