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Chosen no: R-5350 a, from: 1913 Year. |
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Electing Elders And Deacons
IT WAS a slip of the pen on the part of the
Editor when he recently intimated that the only ones who would properly be
entitled to a vote at Church meetings would be those believers in the Atonement
who had made full consecration and who had symbolized that consecration. The
error was in including the symbolization. Many of us were truly
Christians, truly accepted of the Lord, truly members of "the Church of
the Firstborns whose names are written in Heaven" (Hebrews
12:23), before we saw the real force and significance of water
immersion. We have always held (See Vol. 6, STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES) that all
such are entitled to vote at Church elections--yea, that it is their duty to vote--to express the Lord's will in respect to the servants of the Church,
according to their judgment.
But what we meant to emphasize is that any
brother who had not as yet accepted the Bible teachings respecting the proper
symbolization of his consecration would not be far enough advanced to be
properly appointed to be either a Deacon or an Elder in the Church. It was
altogether by an inadvertence that we included with this the thought that such
should not vote.
Difficulty has been experienced by some classes
in respect to nominations. When a call for nomination is made, a brother
is nominated as an Elder or as a Deacon, without proper consideration of his
qualifications. His nomination is seconded; and the whole class, loving the
brother, feels disinclined to vote against him lest they should be
misunderstood.
There should always be a reason for the choice
of anybody to any service in the Church. An elder should be an able teacher, of
a broad mind, able to give assistful advice to those who need it, of deep
insight into the Word of God, of good influence in the Church, and a wise
counselor. No one, probably, could have all of these good qualifications in
equal measure. Some might possess more of one, and some more of another
qualification; but all should possess some of them or there would be no excuse
for his election. Likewise a Deacon should have time at his disposal and some
aptitude as a prospective Elder, and also an inclination to serve the Church.
What seems to us a very good plan of nominating
Elders, Deacons, etc., is by ballot, particularly if there has been any
difficulty or if to a majority such a nomination might seem desirable. To put
this plan into operation pieces of paper and pencils would be required. Each
one entitled to a vote should write, "I nominate the following to be
Elders of the __________ Class for the ensuing __________ months." Then
should follow as many names as there are Elders at the time the election was
taken. If the Class desire to either increase or decrease the number it can be
done after the nomination at election time.
After the ballots have been collected the
results should be tabulated and announced publicly to the Ecclesia. The Class
should then decide how many Elders it would properly need. If it decided that
the number should be three, then the six brethren receiving the largest number
of nominating ballots should be voted for. The three receiving the largest
number of votes with outstretched hands should be considered the choice of the
Class. Or another way would be to accept all the nominated ones who received
ballots equal to one-third of the entire number of voters and to elect all such
by, as nearly as possible, a unanimous vote, this arrangement being intended to
give minorities a representation amongst the Elders.
The thought always to be borne in mind is that,
so far as possible, the judgment of all the Class should have recognition.
While a majority might rule, it is always preferable that they yield something
to the minority, so that the eldership of a Class might reflect the sentiment
of the entire membership. No matter how this result be reached, we are doing
wisely; and no matter how any other result be reached it would be unwise, as
endangering the peace and harmony of the Class. Brotherly love always
represents sympathy, kindness, love and a desire to yield something wherever no
vital principle is involved.
W.T. R-5350a : page 344 - 1913r