The Covenant between Church and its Elders

This week I had to address some matters of church order, and the passage from the Desire of Ages, p.550 was guiding my mind: “In matters of conscience the soul must be left untrammeled [unlimited, unconfined]. No one is to control another's mind, to judge for another, or to prescribe his duty. God gives to every soul freedom to think, and to follow his own convictions. "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." No one has a right to merge his own individuality in that of another. In all matters where principle is involved, "let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Romans 14:12, 5. In Christ's kingdom there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of manner. The angels of heaven do not come to the earth to rule, and to exact homage, but as messengers of mercy, to co-operate with men in uplifting humanity.”  This is the guiding principle toward informing, but not dictating, persuading, but not forcing as we relate to others.

It is expected from elders of the church to govern, nurture, supervise the life and ministry of the church.  The manner in which it is accomplished matters.  It is “how” we do lead that makes most difference. 

As I prepare for the ordination service of our new elder Kirmane Allen I reflect on the words for affirmation from the Scripture, I invite you to recommit yourself together reading Romans 12: 1-13

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  

⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and each part, all the members, have their own unique function ⁵ so we, all of us, are one body in Christ, and individually we all belong to each other, members of one another,  ⁶ We have different gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:

if you preach, prophesy God’s Message in accordance to our faith, nothing else

if you help, just help, don’t take over;  if you teach – do the teaching;

if you give encouragement and guidance, don’t get bossy, simply exhort

if you are called to give aid to people in need, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond, liberally; if you are put in charge, do not manipulate, but lead diligently and with care; if you are called to show mercy to disadvantaged, do it cheerfully, do not let yourself get irritated or depressed, keep a smile on your face.  Let our love be sincere, without hypocrisy, don’t fake it. Turn away and avoid what is evil. Cling to what is good.

 ¹⁰ Let us be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;  ¹¹ not lagging in diligence and enthusiasm, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in suffering, constant in prayer;  ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, supporting one another, be inventive in hospitality, welcoming all.