Qualifications*

I have attended many churches in my lifetime. I have learned that Christians are not perfect. I was thinking today about the deacons and elders at the church I attend. They do something different here than any place I have been before. Elders and Deacons are elected for a 3-year term. At the end of that term, they are in an inactive status probably with varying times of inactive. As I have thought over this in the past few months, I think it is a very good idea. I Timothy, 3rd chapter gives the qualifications for Deacons and Bishops / spiritual leaders in a church. Different churches operate some of these offices and not others. Some people do not handle authority very well. I have been in churches where a deacon or other officer of the church did not handle his responsibilities very well. I have seen where they may have gotten discouraged after serving a long time. Most places treat this as a life long calling, But I like what this church does with the three-year term. If you get someone in there that does not handle the office well, his term is up in three years. He never has to be voted in again. The other thing I like is it gives servers a break. After a three year term, you have a chance to just be a normal member again and perhaps recuperate. I have been so used to these offices being for life that I wasn't sure of what to think about it at first. I have heard many stories of less than perfect leaders, and this method of using terms for these Church officers makes a lot of sense as I think about it. I have heard of Pastors that also consider their callings for life. Some have also gotten discouraged and took a back seat for a while to recuperate. Serving hurting people can take its toll on those trying to help. I have also heard stories of leaders that got old and perhaps not able to carry on their duties but do not step down. I think it is a healthy way to operate. We still need to consider the biblical qualifications and carefully choose these leaders. As members, we also need to regularly pray for our leaders in the church. We should also pray for our political leaders regularly. God bless, LVZ.