Below is my article for this month’s Courant (our church newsletter).

Lord… Show us…

Adjectives are important. Did someone bake a “delicious” cake or a “repulsive” one? Is the weather outside “beautiful” or “awful?” Are the people in a church “welcoming” or “distant?”

The adjectives we choose often express our thoughts and elicit our emotions more effectively than the nouns or verbs that make up the rest of our sentences. The adjective “Reformed” is no exception to that rule. To some, it is an adjective the dredges up memories of guilt and condemnation. Others experience it as comforting and full of grace. To be a “Reformed” church carries with it an immense amount of baggage – both good and bad. Yet, amidst all of that baggage is one aspect of our tradition that tends to warm the hearts and souls of Americans: Reformed polity is, essentially, democratic.

To be clear, our polity is not democratic in the sense that seeks to give everyone whatever they want. Rather, it is democratic in the sense that the leadership of church is called by and from within the local congregation. (Demos means “people” or “village;” kratos means “power” or “rule.”)

We believe, as Reformed Christians, that the Holy Spirit works dynamically through the body of believers to call, ordain, and equip Elders and Deacons as the leaders of our congregation (and, in the case of Elders, of our Classis, Regional Synod, and General Synod.)

In other words: As members of Pultneyville Reformed Church (demos), you are given the right and privilege to discern and call people on God’s behalf into ministry (kratos)! With such a privilege, of course, comes great responsibility.

We are about to begin the process of collecting nominations for, and eventually electing, new Elders and Deacons for our Consistory. Since these men and women will lead us, challenge us, comfort us, question us, teach us, and of course, pray for us, it is imperative that the process be engaged both prayerfully and thoughtfully.
Without going into great detail, let me offer a few “adjectives” to consider as you discern your nominations and votes:

From the Old Testament: Notice that none of the great Old Testament leaders were perfect. Most, if not all of them, had failed in disturbingly dramatic ways. God’s grace, however, is far greater than our failures. While a lifestyle of sin is obviously incongruent with effective leadership, the Bible consistently reveals that God is graciously willing and eager to use even the most flawed individuals in leadership if they approach the task humbly and faithfully. (In short: God’s grace coupled with faith and humility can enable even the most flawed and failed individuals to be effective leaders.)

From the Disciples: Notice that few (if any!) of Jesus disciples were natural or experienced leaders when he called them. Jesus prayerfully discerned their potential, called them, and then equipped them for ministry after they said “yes.” While there is no question that proven leadership ability can be helpful, history has repeatedly shown that God will generously equip anyone who responds to the call of ministry with a willingness to learn and a commitment to following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (In short: an eagerness to learn and a willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit can enable even the most inexperienced individuals to be effective leaders.)

From the Early Church: Discerning leadership qualities from the examples of the early church can be a frustrating exercise. Our various methods of exegesis (biblical interpretation), hermeneutics (interpretive paradigms), and knowledge (of history, sociology, religion, etc.) can lead us incredibly different (even contradictory!) conclusions. However, when we look at the New Testament and the early Church two characteristics stand out above the rest: Effective leaders consistently and prayerfully sought God’s guidance and allowed it to trump their personal likes and dislikes. (In short: no matter how different our individual beliefs and experiences may be, the church is always well-served by leaders who are prayerful and selflessly willing to follow God’s will.)

This will be my first time through the election process here at PRC, and I look forward to seeing whom God has already begun calling into service as Elders and Deacons. I hope you will join me in echoing the prayer offered by Christ’s earliest disciples:

Grace and Peace,
`tim