Things that scare me
by WCBI’ve been asked by a friend to help him staff his company. That is, he wants me to do the leg work, read the material, figure out the law, post the announcements, screen, interview, stay out of trouble and find him someone who will work long, hard and for as little reimbursement as possible.
I admit, I get confused. Am I trying to find him a worker-bee or am I sitting in on the “make-us-a-plan-to-find-elders committee” at PACC?
Here’s what scares me - I have heard “When I get the job, then I will do this, that and the other. I just need the position.”
Said by a worker-bee to be or an elder-wannabe? Can’t really tell, can you?
In the business world, often people need the position in order to exercise authority and/or carry out a plan.
In the church, a person needs to be able to do the job of the elder before he is appointed. That’s why he gets the job.
What scares me is when an elder wannabe thinks of the position of elder as anything remotely similar to getting promoted in his job.
What scares you?
Tags: elder
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
What scares me is the notion that a person must already be doing the work of an elder before they can be put in the position of elder. This is why we don’t have elders already! (Elders = group overseeing a congregation.)
Instead, you look for people who are serious about their commitment to follow Jesus, mature in their faith, growing spiritually, and willing to help others along. These are the building blocks of a potential elder. Then you ask them to become an elder and encourage them as the Holy Spirit helps them grow in their ability to carry out that role effectively.
Like any step along a challenging path (whether spiritually, academically, socially, or career-ily), it might be a little scary, probably difficult at first, and with the potential for failure. However, I think the reward of serving in this capacity is huge and quite different from the rewards of those other paths (although I imagine it would be something like a variation on fatherhood). Moreover, another difference I would hope is in place is a respectful, attentive church body and, most importantly, a divine coach.