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The
Lightstand Magazine
1987
• October • Reflections on the way
by Bro. Robin Lamplough
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Once
again, the end of the year approaches and, with its approach
comes the responsibility of choosing the brethren and sisters
who will be called upon, if the Father so wills it, to serve
the ecclesia in the year ahead. How well and how seriously
do we exercise our individual responsibility in the matter?
Our Master, for example, "continued all night in prayer"
on the mountain before he chose the twelve (Luke 6.12 &
13). And the apostles, faced with finding a replacement for
Judas, likewise sought the Father's guidance (Acts 1.24) as
they did also when appointing ecclesial elders (Acts 1.23).
Similarly, faithful Eliezer of Damascus, entrusted with the
task of finding a wife for his master's son, laid the problem
before the God of Abraham (Gen. 24.12) and Moses, seeking
a suitable man to fill his own place (Numbers 27.16) did the
same. Quite plainly, then, one of our clear duties at this
time of the ecclesial year is to seek the Father's will in
prayer before we move towards the nomination and election
of ecclesial servants.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY Asking for God's guidance, however, does
not absolve us of the responsibility of careful thought about
the problem. Scripture, in a variety of passages, sets before
us the general characteristics of those who should be entrusted
with ecclesial responsibilities. Paul, writing to Timothy
(1 Tim. 3.1-13) and to Titus (1.6-9) gives a comprehensive
list of the qualities to be sought. To the Romans, however,
he conveys the reminder that people have a variety of talents
suitable to the variety of tasks to be performed (Rom. 12.4)
and this too is something we need to bear in mind as we ponder
the needs of the ecclesia.
It is true, of course, that those brethren and sisters available
for selection may not not measure up (or may not appear to
measure up) to the guidelines we have been given. In that
case, we need to consider several things. The first is that
none of us measures up to the example we have been given and
that willingness to change and willingness to learn must be
given their due weight in the reckoning.
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The
second is that, by the grace of God and by His guidance, as we take
on new responsibilities, so we develop the qualities which are required
for their effective discharge.
WEIGH
CAREFULLY Sometimes also we need to weigh carefully the benefits
which may accrue from a particular ecclesial appointment. Obviously,
in the final analysis, any appointment must be for the good of the
ecclesia as a whole. But, on occasions, it may be wise to make an
appointment even if the ecclesia does not immediately and obviously
gain, because the brother or sister appointed will benefit
from learning to exercise the responsibility of office and (most
probably through the process of making mistakes) will develop qualities
which may later be of use to the whole community. Careful judgement
of the issues involved is the duty then of every member of the ecclesia.
Having said that, however, it is necessary to note that we should
never make an ecclesial nomination or appointment simply out of
a misguided sense of fair play of giving everybody a chance. The
service which an ecclesia offers to its God and to its members must
always be the very best available at the time and to offer second
best out of a sense of charity may well result in our loving our
neighbour at the expense of our God. Any brother or sister who takes
ecclesial service lightly, who fails to perform the duties set or
who, through inadequate preparation, performs them inadequately,
has no business to be serving the ecclesia at all. Our God is, after
all, a jealous God (Ex. 20.5) and only the best is good enough for
Him.
Clearly then, choosing ecclesial officers is a matter we need to
approach with care and with prayer. May our all-wise and loving
Father guide us each one as we exercise our responsibility towards
our brethren and sisters in such a way as to make ready a people
for the Lord and so to bring honour and glory to His Name.
R.L.
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