This is a hard post to write.
Not because its a difficult subject,
but because its just difficult to put into words!
When we began visiting churches 3 years ago,
we knew that one main criteria for us was that there would be elder leadership.
Bowdie had been studying and reading and the Lord had really burdened him with the desire to have our family in this type of church structure.
Now, almost 3 years later, I can attest to what a blessing elders are to a church body.
They are truly servants of the church ...
they are prayer warriors
they are Word studiers
they are ministers to needs (spiritual & physical)
they are reconcilers
they are decision makers
they are protectors
they are faith sharers
they are encouragers
they are challengers
And the list could go on and on.
It is, indeed, a heavy, heavy burden they bear.
But I love that our pastor has them ... that he is not shouldering the burden of our church and the many decisions involved by himself.
It's truly beautiful.
Titus 1 has a list of qualifications of an elder.
And though not all men will become one,
our friend George once challenged Bowdie to live as if he were one ...
to look at these qualifications and strive to meet each one,
whether elder or not.
Here they are:
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[c] and his children are believers[d] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,[e] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must notbe arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[f] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
So, what does all this have to do with us?
Well, this year our church held nominations for new elder(s).
Two of our current ones were rotating off (one of them moving to Africa to be a full-time missionary - how awesome is that?!).
Several men nominated Bowdie.
Bowdie prayed, I prayed.
The process of evaluation began.
It took several months.
Books were read, questions asked, interviews done.
Lots of specifics.
Very thorough.
I was even interviewed!
YIKES!!!
In the end, our elders & church saw fit to appoint Bowdie.
He had a small commissioning time at the end of one of our Sunday services.
It was so special.
Not because he's a great man (I mean, I think he is and all ... ).
But because we serve a GREAT God,
who can take a simple guy who has a great love for Him,
and turn him into a servant leader ...
all for His glory.
Amen.
This was a time of question & response from our pastor, Ken,
to Bowdie, with the other elders there as well.
A time of prayer for Bowdie by Pastor Ken
and the other elders
oh man, this is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteso fitting.
i know larry and i would count it the greatest joy if we could ever sit under his eldership.
amazing work of the Father...glory.
what a gift to your Body.