When
Israel went looking for a leader their first instinct was to look for a leader
“like all the other nations.” I suppose
they thought that in finding a leader who was like all of the other leaders
among the nations that the nation would get the respect that they thought they
deserved. Perhaps they were seeking a
place of prominence in the world.
Perhaps they were seeking power among the nations. Or perhaps they just wanted to have what
other nations had. Whatever the case, it
did not work out well for Israel. When
God allowed his chosen nation to have their first “king”—in reality a rejection
of His Lordship over the nation—they learned that having a leader like all the
other nations was not all it was cracked up to be. Saul, while seemingly possessing all of the
outward qualifications one might look for in a strong leader, turned out to be
a disastrous disappointment for Israel.
Even though he was strong and tall and impressive in appearance and
stature, his moral character or lack thereof proved to be his own
downfall. When God then chose for Israel
a new king, a young man named David, He made clear where they had gone wrong… “The LORD does not look at the things man
looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7 NIV)
On
Sunday, January 8th, our Elders put before our church family the
names of men whom they believe will be a great addition to our eldership and to
our deacons. They have asked Daniel Eldridge, Rick Patterson and J.B. Cox
to serve in the role of shepherd or elder.
Additionally, they have asked Perry
Gates and Brent Shockley to serve in the role of deacon. While both roles are essentially
servant-leadership roles, they have their distinctive functions within the
church body and both are vitally important.
When the first-century church was considering men to serve as servant
leaders among them, they recognized the importance and took care not to make
the same mistake Israel made. In Acts 6
the apostles decided to choose several men from among the church “who are known to be full of the Spirit and
wisdom.” They knew that not only
wise men were needed. They knew that not
only strong men were needed. They knew
that these men must be full of the Spirit of God in their lives! We have always sought to follow their example
in selecting men among us who likewise are known to be “full of the Spirit and
wisdom.”
Lord
willing, on Sunday, January 22nd, these men will take their place as
elders and as deacons tasked with leading this church family in our own walk
with the Lord. I know each of them very
well, am confident of their character and am looking forward to serving
alongside each of them as we all together seek to grow in Spirit and wisdom for
Him. Please be in prayer for each of
these men and their families (especially their families!) and also for the
other men who are currently serving us in these roles. May God continue to bless us as we seek Him!
-Jim
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