Whom to Elect

I. A SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Election to the Session, the governing body of the local church, is a spiritual exercise of utmost importance. A Session of spiritual mature and devoted members, striving together in one spirit and with one mind for the faith of the Gospel is most effective body for the advancement of the Church of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the election of unqualified persons, or those unwilling to discharge their full responsibilities, or holding divergent views from the leadership, can seriously hinder the work of the Session and cause disharmony and dissension in the group.

Nominations of candidates for the election should therefore be most carefully scrutinized by the Board of Elders so that only those with the necessary spiritual qualifications are approved.

II. FUNCTION OF SESSION

Candidates for election as well as the church electorate should fully understand the functions of Session and thus be guided in the choice of officers for the particular vacancies. The functions of the Session are:

These are heavy responsibilities not to be lightly regarded by the church electorate or lightly undertaken by any candidate. "And who is sufficient for all these things?" (2 Cor 2:16). By ourselves we shall fail, but our sufficiency is of God. (2 Cor 3:5). This should be the attitude of all candidates towards serving in the Session.

III. QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

It is needful for every member of the congregation to study carefully the B-P Constitution on "Election to the Church Session."

If the question is, "Whom to elect?" the answer is: let church members study I Timothy 3, Titus 1, I Peter 5 and the Church Constitution. This will enable the members to recognize the gifts and qualities in others and in themselves. Prayerful study will lead them to nominate and elect the persons of God's choosing.

IV. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

Each congregation and the candidates for election should make careful study of the Constitution on Biblical Separation and our B-P stand. Candidates in particular should be fully persuaded of its blessedness, and take a stand against the false teachings of liberalism, modernism, neo-orthodoxy, neo-evangelicalism, Roman Catholicism, charismaticism and ecumenism. It is vital that all who intend to serve the Lord together in the Session agree in this area. Only then can God's work progress smoothly to His glory.

V. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

VI. WILLINGNESS TO SERVE

No one should accept nomination if he or she is not prepared to devote himself wholeheartedly in the service of the Church. No one is not given to daily prayer and study of the Word should be nominated. He must be exemplary in punctuality at all meetings, and be fully prepared to sacrifice time, energy and resources in needful duties in the ministry of the Church. Candidates should declare in writing their willingness to serve before they are nominated for election.

VII. PRAYER THE KEY

Only those who are regular and consistent at the Prayer Meetings should be considered for nomination. Can a person who has no time for this most important ministry have time for serving the Lord in the Session?

Much prayer by the whole Church in submission to God's Holy Spirit is the key to a smooth and successful election.

Reprinted from Weekly Vol.17 No.49 by Dr. Tow Siang Hwa