In March, during my congregation’s annual church business meeting, those present (everyone who shows up) will be given a list of names of persons already ratified by the board as acceptable persons to replace out going board members. This is very important work in the life of a local church.
One of the board selection committee members asked me, “What kind of person are you looking for to serve on the board?” It’s a great question and a great chance for me to review the vows of the calling to which I took when accepting the role as a leader in a congregation.
As a follower of Christ, some of my opinions are submitted to the Scriptures. In this case, a person serving on a church board (or any other church leadership position overseeing the care of God’s flock), in my opinion, should be follow the mandate of Scripture.
The Apostle Paul offers these words when selecting an “overseer” within the context of Christian leadership:
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV)
Now, re-read each sentence and give it careful thought and attention for a few weeks, and imagine the implications.
One thing I would suggest being discussed is the importance of all the overseers of a congregation having relational community (hence the picture of Arthur’s Roundtable). Once a congregation exceeds more than about 150 members it seems they beging to compartmentalize. Undoubtedly, compartmentalization is useful for administrative purposes, but how can be efficient administratively but effective in terms of unity?
May the Lord give grace to all His servants and may we all reflect the people described by the Apostle Paul! It’s very high calling. And, may we develop in our ecclesiology an effective understanding and useful model to sustain relational unity.
