NOTES ON ELECTION TO SESSION

INTRODUCTION

The Session is the governing body of the local church. It is responsible for the welfare of the congregation and the general administration of its affairs. It is therefore of utmost importance that candidates for election to Session be men and women of spiritual qualities and maturity as described in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 for Elders, and I Timothy 3:8-13 for Deacons.

A Session composed of spiritually mature, diligent, devoted and stable members, striving together with one heart and one mind for the faith of the Gospel, can be a most potent and effective body in the advancement of the Church of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the presence of some members of lesser spiritual qualities, not appreciating or discharging the full responsibilities of membership or holding divergent views from the established leadership and direction of the Bible-Presbyterian Church, can seriously impede the work of the entire Session or even cause serious internal strife and dissension in the group.

Candidates for election to session, therefore, should be most carefully screened by the Pastor, with the help of the Elders. Only candidates with the essential spiritual qualifications and who are in full agreement with the doctrinal stand of the Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore and Malaysia should be considered for nomination and election to Session.

QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR SESSION

GENERAL

The foregoing four paragraphs touch on vital and basic areas of the programme of the church. Unless all members of a particular Session are fully agreed in these areas, there will arise occasions of conflict and division in the Session. A house divided against itself cannot stand. It is therefore of utmost importance that all who intend to serve the Lord together in Session be agreed on these vital points. Only then can God's work progress smoothly, to His glory.

ELDERS

Candidates for Eldership are advised to study carefully the spiritual qualifications pertaining to Elders in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (I Timothy 3:1-7)

"If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1:6-9)

The qualifications summarized are these: An Elder must be a man of stable, mature and blameless Christian character, vigilant, sober and of good behaviour, given to hospitality, not arrogant or lusting after wealth, apt to teach, able to rule his own household and the church, and to lead the flock in the path of righteousness.

DEACONS

Candidates for Deaconship are advised to study carefully the spiritual qualifications pertaining to Deacons in I Timothy 3:8-13.

"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 3:8-13).

The qualifications summarized are these: A Deacon must be a man of sober, stable, mature and blameless Christian character, not lusting after wealth, faithful and diligent in serving the Lord, and able to rule his own household.

DEACONESSES

The qualifications are the same as those for Deacons.

WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AFTER ELECTION

Membership in Session carries grave responsibilities. None should accept nomination who is not prepared to give the necessary time and devotion in the service of the church. All too often members of Session are ignorant or negligent of their duties and thereby impede the advancement of the Kingdom. It is therefore necessary to define in what ways a member of Session is required to devote himself/herself to the work of the church. Briefly, they are: