Dear men in the Lord at 1st Byron,
In a few months, our Council will gather to nominate men as elders and deacons. As I just wrote, that’s still a few months out, but I wanted to get you thinking about serving in office before letters for nomination go out and the pressure to respond is there.
Over the last three or four years, getting men to serve in the offices has not been easy. It seems that there have been as many men who turn down the nomination to serve as accept it. Serving in office now seems to be the “low man on the totem pole.” It’s now just one choice among many that men have to make. Serving as an office bearer is on a par with coaching soccer, serving on a civic board or committee, or being a member of a golf league. When a choice has to be made, being an elder or deacon is not the prime choice. Serving in office also seems to be increasingly the victim of a retirement mentality. More and more men are choosing to retire from being an office bearer at the same time they retire from their employment. I realize these are not the reasons everyone has for not being able to serve. Not everyone is called to serve and not everyone is qualified to serve. It just seems to me that more and more often men who are able are not willing.
The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 3:1 that if anyone set his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Perhaps something similar could be said for being a deacon. Do any of you have your heart set on serving in office? Let me share three reasons why that would be worthwhile:
For the sake of Jesus
In 1 Peter 5:2,3 Peter writes, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…” Peter’s challenge is for men to serve eagerly and willingly—to serve not as a duty but a delight. Where does that attitude come from? By remembering that there is a chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). That shepherd is Jesus. As the chief shepherd of the church, he not only tends us, but he laid down his life for us. (John 10:11).
For the sake of the Church
Consider how beautifully and richly the Bible describes the church. It is called the bride of Christ (Eph. 5), the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), the body of Christ (Eph 1:23), and a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus loves the church, has given his life for it, and has given it the task of guarding and promoting the truth of the gospel. It could be said that the church is the hope of the world as it proclaims the good news of Christ. This body that is precious to Jesus needs leaders. It needs men who will protect the truth. It needs men who can help the church promote the truth for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
For your own sake
There is great reward in serving in office. 1 Timothy 3:13 says of deacons, “Those who serve will gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” To elders Peter writes, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
Please prayerfully, seriously, and honestly consider whether God is calling you to serve if you’re nominated. Be a leader in the church of Jesus!
Your brother in Christ,
No comments:
Post a Comment