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Originally Posted by C. M. Sheffield  Quote:
Originally Posted by John Lanier By "lay elder" do you mean one not supported financially by the church? | Yes -----Added 10/8/2009 at 07:16:17 EST----- Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott1 You probably understand the offices are perpetual (deacon and elder) but "active" (being on session or diaconate) at a given time is a useful distinction. That recognizes the difference between ordination (done only one time) and installation (which installs them in a religious ceremony) for a term of office.
In practice, even while not active on session or diaconate, those officers are drawn on for assistance. | While I would agree with you here, not all churches see it this way. Some (Baptist) churches do not consider you an elder once you rotate out. Only active elders are elders. Now I don't agree with this but I would be interested in hearing what arguments some of you would make against it. This might provide me with some insights that I've overlooked. |
The best short answer I can think of is the notion that God's gifts and calling are without repentance.
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Romans 11:29
29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
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If one really understands that God calls out men for local church governance as deacons and elders, and that He equips such with the necessary gifts and faith to serve, it would not seem to be a limited call.
I Timothy 3 and Titus I give very specific qualifications for the men God calls for church office.
The process of a congregation receiving those whom God has appointed to govern them involves examination, testing and confirmation.
Keep in mind that in the PCA at least, the congregation vote is viewed more as a confirmation of God's call on the men who would serve as officers by those who would be governed by them, after they have been examined and tested.
That is why is particularly important that the doctrines of ordination and church government to be taught as doctrine of the church. This helps inspire people toward the high calling of offices like deacon and elder.
While ordination is for life (recognizing those gifts), installation is the religious ceremony for a term of service.
In my (limited) experience, officers are free to, can and do decline standing for office (installation) at various times and for various reasons. This, in addition to the mandatory 1 year off after 6 we practice locally. So, an officer might, for various reasons serve 3 years and stand down for a couple years before standing again for a second 3 year term.
I see nothing wrong with this, and it seems the system works well in practice.
Remember also, we draw heavily on "inactive" officers for service, too.
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