Comments on: One Elder and the Hiring Process

By: K. Rex Butts

K. Rex Butts — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:11:15 +0000

Interesting observation that rings with a lot of truth. I served with a great eldership in one church and one of the reasons it was a great eldership was due to the fact they did not see themselves as anything special in the church but rather simply as servants called to care for the church. On the other had, I had a miserable experience in another church because of an elder who thought his eldership made him someone special…little did he know…

Grace and peace,

Rex

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:45:09 +0000

Great point John, hey, I just talked with a Chris Ward, he was at Brown Trail for one year while I was there. Not sure if you would have met him. We had a nice talk as he is faithful again after falling away. Proud of him. Also, remember, John was going on more than a mission of love, he was going to rebuke that prideful fool (9-10). Anyway, hope ministry is going well.

By: John

John — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:56:58 +0000

Interesting thoughts, Matthew. I wholeheartedly agree that the attitude and temperament of the eldership (and even an individual elder) is an extremely important consideration in looking for a place to work.

Perhaps just as important in looking for an opportunity to preach the Gospel is an openness to the providence of God as He provides both the opportunity and the strength to serve Him — sometimes in the midst of very difficult circumstances. Timothy and Titus did not have “ideal” situations where leadership was concerned, nor for that matter did Demetrius and Gaius. However, I believe Jesus would say to all of those men, as well as to preachers today, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The church where Diotrophes ruled was worth loving too, as evidenced by the fact that John wrote a letter and expressed a desire to go there.

May God bless you in your continued service to Him,
John