SUGGESTIONS FOR SELECTION

1. REMEMBER that “Selection” and “Appointment” are different activities

THE CHURCH “SELECTS”

THE EVANGELIST “APPOINTS”

“Therefore, brothers, (1) pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the

Spirit and of wisdom, (2) whom we will appoint to this duty.”

(Acts 6:3)

“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send

them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men

among the brothers,”

(Acts 15:22)

MEN APPROVED BY THE CHURCH

“And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by

letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.”

(I Corinthians 16:3)

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

1. When there has been development, OUTLINE the process

What should be done FIRST?

SECOND?

THIRD?

2. Select a “coordinating group” (3 or 4 brothers), men who will NOT be considered to become elders

3. These brothers can:

PREPARE MATERIALS to be handed to all members

Ask the CHURCH to PRAY for WISDOM!

NAMES may be submitted to this group of brothers

Those submitting NAMES will sign their names

The CHURCH is encouraged to submit only brothers who MEET BIBLICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Brothers WHOSE NAMES are submitted should be CONSULTED

to determine their WILLINGNESS to serve

The “coordinating group” can then SUBMIT these NAMES to the whole

church

The CHURCH can be asked to think, study, and pray about these

brothers for a period of time

“OBJECTIONS” to any man should only be based on Scriptural

teaching

This “coordinating group” can talk to the suggested men about any

Biblical objection and then confer with the “objector”

If NO BIBLICAL OBJECTION is found, a DATE for appointment

can be arranged

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

“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

—”

(Titus 1:5)

The DATE for appointment may be well announced and prepared

Again, the CHURCH may be asked to PRAY FERVENTLY

The ASSEMBLY on that day can “focus” on the appointment of

these brothers

THAT ASSEMBLY CAN INCLUDE:

A Sermon on the beautiful ministry of “shepherding”

A loving “CHARGE” can be given to the elders by the evangelist

The evangelist can PRAY with the new elders

The CHURCH could be asked to stand as an affirmation of support

A statement may be made that, beginning this day, these brothers

are asked to be “shepherds” of this “flock”

The new elders may be asked to speak briefly and ask for the

SUPPORT of the church

A PROVEN,

EFFICIENT,

WISE,

PROBLEM-MINIMIZING,

PROCEDURE

FOR SELECTING ELDERS

INTRODUCTION:

1. This process has been used at the Willis church in Abilene,

Texas for many years

2. This is how I was selected there as a deacon and then an elder

3. It was “put together” by gospel preachers

4. It was produced after careful study to eliminate as many problems as possible

a. It avoids “politicking”

b. It minimizes “bad” “nominations” by the uninformed

c. It also minimizes “hurt feelings”

d. It involves the whole church

e. It encourages self-evaluation by potential elders

f. It encourages “dreaming” about future direction

g. It shows SUPPORT for elders

FOUR PHASES OF THE PROCESS

1. Suggestion of names

2. Self-Evaluation

3. “Objection” phase

4. Appointment phase

IMPORTANT COMPONENTS

1. A Co-ordinating “group” or “committee”

2. An Informed Membership

3. A Decision Concerning How Many People Must Submit a Brother’s Name

4. A Good Way To Process Any Objection

5. A Decision Concerning What Percentage (%) of the

Congregation MUST Say “YES”

1.

Co-ordinating Committee

Possibly 3 or 4 brothers

Brothers who will NOT be suggested as elders

They will arrange the process

They will inform the congregation of the process

2.

An INFORMED CONGREGATION

The “Committee” would provide Biblical materials on elders

The “Committee” will continually announce the process being

followed, timetables, etc.

3.

How Many Members MUST SUBMIT a brother’s name in order

for him to be considered?

8 or 10? Or ??

NOTE: This minimizes people submitting “unqualified” men, suggesting a “buddy,” etc.

4.

HANDLING “OBJECTIONS”

The Committee may provide “forms” to fill out

Name of the person “objecting” should be on the form

The Committee can THEN talk to the “objector” as well as the

potential elder

A VERY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION

ONLY BIBLICAL

OBJECTIONS

SHOULD BE ACCEPTED!

5.

PERCENTAGE (%) OF MEMBERS WHO MUST SAY “YES”

Why is this important?

We all want the church to STAND BEHIND THIS MAN!

Three possible answers on a form:

“YES,” “NO,” “I DO NOT KNOW”

Jose Ramos ____ Yes ____ No

_______ I do NOT know

Juan de la Cruz ____ Yes ___ No

_______ I do NOT know

ETC.

Why is, “I do not know” important?

THE ELDERS ARE TO BE:

“PAPAS”

IN

THE

CONGREGATION!

(I Timothy 3:4, 5)

(Continued)

“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity

keeping his children submissive,”

“for if someone does not know how to manage his own

household, how will he care for God's church?

(I Timothy 3:4, 5)