Selecting Officers

Ellis J. Crum

[Page 11]

     In congregations where there are no elders or deacons it is the duty of evangelists to give much teaching regarding the qualifications and duties of such officers. This instruction cannot be given in a thirty minute lecture. When a congregation is ready to select elders and deacons they should carefully and prayerfully consider each candidate in the light of God's Word. It might be well for evangelists to make a chart showing that the qualifications in I Timothy and Titus are the same or complement each other. All of the qualifications are "must be" requirements. All officers must possess every quality to such a degree that it can honestly be stated that they have such characteristics. If a man does not have people in his home (saints and strangers) giving them food, shelter, or other kindnesses, it cannot by any stretch of the imagination be stated he is "given to hospitality." A man who is being considered for the office of a bishop must be a patient man. He may not be the most patient man you ever met, but he must possess this quality to such a degree that saint and sinner will admit that he is a patient individual.

     It must be remembered that the selecting power and the appointing power are two distinct things. No congregation can appoint their own officers, and no evangelist should dare to select elders or deacons for a congregation--even in a congregation where he has been guiding and directing them as Titus did on the isle of Crete. In Acts chapter six we have the divine principle and example of the apostles leaving the selection entirely to the "multitude" after stating the requirements. If the apostles, the highest earthly officers in the church, would not make the selection, then it would be quite presumptuous for any uninspired evangelist to select or suggest who should serve as elders or deacons.

     In Acts 6: 3 the words "Look ye out" come from the Greek word which according to Robinson's Greek Lexicon means "to look at in order to select, to look out, to seek out, e.g., persons for office." In Acts 15: 22 we read about "chosen men of their own company" who were sent as messengers to Antioch. These men were Judas and Silas, selected and approved by the "whole church."

     When Paul wrote the Corinthians he did not say, "When I come I will select who will accompany me." He rather said, "And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem" (1 Cor. 16: 3). Congregations always have had the privilege of selecting their own representatives for local work or extended service. We read of a brother who was highly praised being "chosen of the churches" to travel with Paul and his company (2 Cor. 8:19). Such men can be properly spoken of as "the messengers of the churches" not only because of service rendered, but because of their means of selection.

     Another case of congregational activity in the selection of officers is found in Acts chapter two. In verse 15 we find that Peter was leading a group of about a hundred and twenty disciples in selecting an apostle to take the place of Judas. Peter asks the group for nominations in verse 21, and goes on to state the required

[Page 12]

qualifications. We read in verse 23 "they appointed two." Also in verse 24 "they prayed," and in verse 26 "they gave forth their lots." From these verses we can see the whole group or congregation had a part in the placing of names before the assembly. Of course in the case of an apostle of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ had to make the final selection, as recorded in verses 24-26.

     The church of our Lord is a self-governing body; it is a self-edifying institution. Because the church is a self-sustaining, self-maintaining organization she should select all of her officers. The church is complete; it is the "pillar and ground of the truth." Since the church is "throughly furnished unto all good works" she must be trained from the inception to attend to her own business. There is no provision in God's system of government for "governing" without the consent of the "governed." Men cannot assume the office of elders or deacons. These offices can only be filled by qualified men who have been duly selected by the congregation and appointed by an evangelist. Men do not automatically become elders, deacons, or evangelists. It is not a mark of wisdom for an evangelist or any member of the body of Christ to say, "Well, we put in the best we had." It can be said of such individuals, "Ye do err, not knowing the scripture."

     We can see the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in having the congregation make the selection instead of some evangelist who is not well acquainted with the membership. The membership is able to see the candidates as they really are. It is fairly easy for some to put up a good front while they are "campaigning" for office! An evangelist may not discern this rank hypocrisy. Since the congregation is to do the selecting, it is not appropriate for men to announce they are in the "running." Oftentimes, men who want the office are men who want this position of authority for some wrong purpose. "If a man desire the office of a bishop" means more than just wanting this position of authority. It signifies a stretching forth with a view of obtaining or qualifying. Every male member of the body of Christ should be seeking to grow to the extent that he may be of maximum service in the Kingdom of God. Too many are trying to get by with only a minimum of service. When we have done all we can, we are still unprofitable creatures. Men who are the best qualified are "none too good" for the church of our Lord, which deserves nothing but the best.

     In the selection of officers, the congregation must also carefully consider the wife of the prospective officers, and also his children. Many are hindered from serving as elders and deacons because of their wives or children. There are certain qualifications for wives mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:11. Wives should not only help and encourage their husbands in every good work, but also so conduct themselves that they will not disqualify their husbands from becoming officers of the church of God. Children who love their father and their Heavenly Father will also want to watch their conduct.

     There are many things which must be left to the decision of the overseers of the church; however, when it comes to selecting officers for the first time, or choosing additional elders or deacons, every member has a God-given right to participate in the selecting. No evangelist or eldership should ever try to take this privilege away from the saints. Since all Christians are to work under the authority of their overseers, it is logical and quite fitting that they have a voice in their selection. May individual Christians so study that they can with prayer and care make selections that will be pleasing to the head of the body, Christ. May all evangelists strive to give such teaching that will enable the government of the earthly kingdom of heaven to operate as nearly like the heavenly kingdom as is humanly possible.