Upon the completion of the four lessons on deacons, their qualifications and work, it is time now to “seek out from among you” (Acts 6:3) men who meet those qualifications.

The elders ask that you follow this simple procedure in order to ensure the process is done with decency and order. (1) Talk to the men before submitting their names. Tell them it is your considered estimation they meet the qualifications. First, see if they are interested in serving this congregation as deacons. (2) Then write down their names and submit them to one of the elders. We will continue with this course of action for two weeks. (3) After that time, the elders will then visit with each man and his wife to discuss this matter. (4) After taking the time to consult with each of the men, then their names will be placed before the entire congregation for consideration. (5) Their names will be placed before the church for two weeks after which they will be appointed to serve barring no biblical objection.

Biblical objections involve not meeting the qualifications laid down by the Holy Spirit. It does not entail an opinion. A biblical objection occurs when one is able to point to an issue in a man’s life that is inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture. For example, one qualification is a deacon is to be the husband “of one wife” (1 Tim 3:12). If a man is not married, then he fails to meet that qualification.

One might have the opinion his wife should not work outside the home. That IS NOT a Scriptural objection; it is a mere matter of opinion and should never be brought up.

If a man’s name is placed before this church for consideration and you have what you consider to be a Scriptural objection; first meet with the man, if it can be worked through – fine. If not, then bring the elders into the discussion.

This is an exciting time for the church here. Let us prayerfully and peacefully pursue this course of action for the glory of the Lord and the benefit of His cause.     -- jrb

 

Withdrawing From "The Withdrawn"

 

It is often said that if one withdraws himself from a local congregation, he cannot be withdrawn from. The only problem with this position is it is nowhere taught in the Bible. I have never read one word about anyone “withdrawing himself from the church,” Have you?

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another . . .” (Heb 10:25). The question often comes up, “Can those who just quit attending be withdrawn from?”  Some may sincerely ask the question, but far too many seem only to be looking for loopholes. When an effort is made to discipline non attendees, they often say, “Well, I have already withdrawn myself from the church!”

Let us be clear, if “forsaking the assembling” is sin (and it is), then such is a matter of discipline. Is a person who walks out on attending church services committing sin? Sure he is and that means he is “walking disorderly” (2 Thess 3:6), and subject to discipline.

I remember a soldier I was stationed with who decided to “withdraw himself” from the U.S. Army. The army did not take that decision lightly; during his court martial it was made clear that he could not just walk away from his responsibilities. His commanding officer did not allow him to circumvent military justice. He was punished with jail time and a dishonorable discharge.

The Lord’s people are taught to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier,” (2 Tim 2:3-4). As soldiers in the army of Christ we cannot just walk away from local obligations and duties. Furthermore, elders must not allow those who do to circumvent the Lord’s discipline.

Elders are shepherds (1 Pet 5:2). This means that elders have the responsibility to go after the lost (those sheep that have wandered away). Elders would do well to remember the story Jesus told in Luke 15 about a sheep and a shepherd. The Lord concluded with “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Lk 15:2). Any elder doing his duty would not simply ignore the sheep who have wandered off. Some might try to say, “There is nothing we can do; the sheep has gone astray, he has withdrawn from the flock.” That is nonsense!  The shepherd in this story went after the lost sheep, and so must we.

Often in the Old Testament we read about the people of God forsaking Him. For example, “They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward,” (Isa 1:4). God would send prophet after prophet to plead with the people to return. God told them through Jeremiah, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way