by Carl R. Hodges
The sense of God’s leading can be achieved in field elections. Conflicting human appeals can be resolved by spiritual preparation before and during the balloting.
The sense of God’s leading can be achieved in field elections. Conflicting human appeals can be resolved by spiritual preparation before and during the balloting.
"Voting is what you do when you can’t determine God’s will!"…."The decisions are all made before we come to the meeting anyway."…."What difference does it make whom we choose?"…."I guess we have to have some sort of organization."…."It looks just about like politics at home to me. "
Do these comments reflect the thinking of missionaries in your area? Are these feelings the consequence of the way we elect mission leaders on the field? Could elections be held differently?
The responsibilities of the field leader vary according to country and mission. Relationships with the national churches, with the government and with fellow missionaries may be the domain of several persons, or just one. Regardless of these administrative variables, there is generally an election process by which we, as missionaries, choose the person who will guide us as a body in the work of the Lord.
Nominations for field chairman or superintendent may come from a committee, the conference floor, or occasionally as suggestions from the home board. The critical point in selecting a leader is the voting process. Whether it be by raised hand or secret ballot, we decide on the one we feel to be God’s choice.
In national political elections, there are many variables that can radically change the final outcome. The best man does not always win. When the economy is improving, the incumbent may win even though the opposition has been responsible for effective economic legislation. A crisis or scandal just at election time could mean his defeat, despite several years of effective leadership.
In the same manner, whether it should be so or not, several outside factors influence our final choice of a field chairman. Take the case of a field on which the missionaries elect their chairman after nominations from the conference floor.
"I move that nominations be closed.
"All in favor raise your right hand."…"Opposed?"…"There are seventeen for and seven against; the motion is carried. Please indicate your choice for field chairman on your ballot and pass it to the aisle."
Some vote quickly, while others more carefully consider the candidates before passing in their paper. The vote tabulated.
"We have a tie! I guess we’ll have to vote again and…"
"No! Let Jim have it. I have more work than I can handle now without being chairman, too. Take my name off the board. "
"No! Let Hank have it. We all know he would do a good job."
"Now, wait a minute! Let’s vote one more time. Acting as conference chairman, I forgot to vote. I will do so this time, so we can’t have a tie with twenty-five members voting."…
"Here are the results! Thirteen for Jim, twelve for Hank. Jim, you are our chairman for the next two years. Congratulations! . . . You know, folks, it really doesn’t matter a great deal whom we choose as chairman, for we all work together and …"
It is obvious that at least some of the missionaries had difficulty in ascertaining God’s will.
So many conflicting thoughts assail us at election time.
Younger members vote for the younger candidate; the more experienced staff for the one with twenty years on the field. Single workers may vote for the one who suggested redecorating their houses. It goes without saying that we vote for our best friend if he. is nominated! These examples may seem far-fetched, but it is true that we sometimes base our choice on secondary considerations.
"Jim is obviously the right choice, no doubt about it."
"I think Hank would do a good job; let’s try him for awhile."
How often we look on the outward appearance! As long as we faithfully follow our democratic process and "Rules of Order," we cannot go very far wrong.
We do not leave out the spiritual element, for we are actively seeking God’s will. We sometimes presume, however, that we are constantly being led by the Holy Spirit as long as we have our fifteen minutes of devotions each morning. This time, coupled with moments of prayer each morning of conference and just before elections, assures us of making the right choice, God’s choice. History seems to indicate that such is not always the case. We are surprised to discover that others have not had the same leading as we in making decisions. Elections sometimes turn out to be a matter of personal preference.
What is the answer? Where does the problem lie when such a situation exists? Lack of preparation is a major cause of difficulty. The same routine is followed each year, so we feel that the Lord will surely lead us when the time arrives to vote. There are a number of helpful steps that may be taken before and during the conference at which leadership is to be chosen.
BEFORE CONFERENCE
Those responsible for planning the conference can set the tone for the meetings through a letter to missionaries several weeks beforehand.
An emphasis on seeking and accepting God’s will can lay the foundation for devotional messages at conference.
Each individual missionary should plan increased time in prayer and Bible study in preparation for decision-making. In some areas separate conferences are held for business and spiritual renewal. Business sessions require as much spiritual preparation as do any other meetings.
It would be worthwhile to consider the qualifications for leaders given in Titus, I Timothy 3, the Acts and other passages. Education, eloquence and management aptitude are not always the best indication of leadership potential. God often chooses weak vessels to reveal his power.
Let us not do as the children of Israel in the days of Samuel. When they demanded a king, God gave them Saul, head and shoulders above all others. Later when God’s appointed time came for them to have a king, he chose David, the insignificant son of Jesse. Few people recognized David as king in the early days. Most continued to follow Saul, despite his refusal to obey God. It is so easy to be misled!
DURING CONFERENCE
Early in the conference, messages and devotional times should underline the importance of finding God’s will in every decision. Suggestions for increased personal meditation and prayer during conference are in order. Leave time in the program for each person to seek God’s face and to wait upon him for leading. It was while the early Christians were "ministering to the Lord and fasting" that the Holy Spirit revealed his choice of Barnabas and Saul for missionary work and church leadership.
AT ELECTION TIME
Do not leave elections until the last session! By having them earlier, decisions may be postponed when no clear direction is evident. Return to our former example of a conference election. When division comes, the conference chairman could say:
"Since we don’t seem to have a clear indication of God’s will in this matter, let’s postpone our elections until tomorrow morning. For the remaining hour this afternoon, let’s all go to our rooms and pray. Allow God to speak to your heart. Be ready and willing to accept his choice. We shouldn’t allow friendships or personalities to interfere with our voting. The prophet Jeremiah reminded us that ‘it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.’ It is not for us to decide who should be field chairman, or who is to make up the executive committee. By voting we should merely reaffirm God’s choice. Let us spend the next hour and this evening in our rooms in submission to the will of God and in seeking his guidance."
We have adopted to varying degrees the democratic system of choosing leaders. We need not be slaves to this process, but rather use it as a tool to reveal our unity in Christ. How can there be unity and cooperation when several of the staff feel that the wrong leaders have been elected? Unanimity in the choice of executive council members, on the other hand, will mean confidence in them. Problems are more easily dealt with when we all, as missionaries, have the assurance that our leaders have in reality been chosen of God for their task.
In summing up, here are a few steps that we all may take in choosing the men and women of God’s choice for leadership positions:
1. Prepare well for elections. Seek complete submission to God’s will.
2. Try to make each decision unanimous. At least a good majority is needed to indicate that we have found God’s will.
3. Use secret ballots when voting for field leaders. This avoids the embarrassment of publicly voting for someone other than your best friend. Do not feel obliged to vote for the person you nominated when it seems clear that God is leading in another direction. Have nominees refrain from voting. Why should someone politely vote for another candidate when he feels God has called him for the task?
4. When elections are over, have confidence, not in those chosen, but in God who will direct them in making right decisions.
Let’s raise elections to the place of great spiritual blessing, a time of proving to ourselves and to national observers and delegates that God still leads his people.
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