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From the Pastor’s Heart…
August 29, 2010
(Copies of Niemonds Independent Church constitution are available on the back table.)
In the revised constitution of Niemonds Independent Church that was adopted in 2002, Article V states that “throughout September, the congregation will be faithfully given the biblical qualifications of all elected officers of the church body. They will be given instructions on how to make nominations to those offices. At the regular monthly meeting of the general council in October (acting as the nominating committee), the number of needed Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses will be decided and the nominations will be reviewed as to their spiritual qualifications. A list of potential officers will be made. Each will be contacted as to their willingness to serve. A final list, each nomination recognized and approved by 100% of the general council, will be presented to the congregation at the November Annual Meeting. (This year it is scheduled for November 10th at 7:00 PM), where a majority vote of those members 16 and older will be needed for a two year term.” (secret ballot)
As we approach September, I have chosen to use the ‘pastor’s heart’ area on the back of the bulletin for the instruction concerning the biblical qualifications of the elected officers. Please take the time each Sunday to read carefully and pray concerning nominations for the available positions of leadership here at Niemonds.
During the month of September and up until October 12th, any member of Niemonds may nominate someone who is biblically qualified to the position of Elders, Deacon or Deaconess, by contacting one of the Elders. The Elders names and numbers are on the front of the bulletin.
Thank you for your prayers and support of the leadership of Niemonds.
It is a joy to be your pastor.
From the Pastor’s Heart…
(Church Leadership/Preparation for the Annual Meeting/Article One.)
September 5, 2010
Some of the worst havoc upon the Christian faith has been a direct result of unscriptural church government. So often church fractures come due to putting power struggles and church structure over scripture.
All through the New Testament we are given instruction concerning the installation of Elders that would oversee the spiritual aspects and lead in the promotion of God’s Word.
As we approach the annual meeting, where the congregation will make nominations of men who will spiritually assist the Pastor and lead in the ongoing ministry of the Word, please (please) read the following passages and ask God to provide direction with regards to the nomination process. All nominees will be evaluated in the light of Scripture by the Council of Niemonds and those who are approved will be contacted as to their willingness to serve. If they are willing, their name will be added to the ballot for the congregational meeting on November 10th.
Please pray and read the following:
Exhortations given directly to men that would desire the position of Elder:
To spiritually oversee the local congregation (1 Peter 5:1-2)
To not ‘lord’ over the people (dictatorial) (1 Peter 5:3)
To be clothed in humility (1 Peter 5:5)
To guard the church from false teachers (Acts 20:28)
To work hard, help the needy and be generous (Acts 20:35)
Exhortations given directly to the church with regards to Elders:
Financial support for preaching Elders (Pastors) (1 Tim. 5:17-18)
IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ
Proper qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
The desire of Elders to be seen (1 Timothy 3:1)
The call to obey and submit to biblical Elders (Hebrew 13:17)
To acknowledge, love and live at peace with your Elders
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
It is a joy to be your pastor.
From the Pastor’s Heart…
(Church Leadership/Preparation for the Annual Meeting/Article Two.)
September 12, 2010
If you did not get a bulletin from last Sunday, Article One is posted online under “Pastor’s Heart” at www.niemonds.org.
Over the years the most common question that I receive with regards to the annual meeting and election of officers is, “How do I nominate someone?”
Each Sunday I have been giving you the Biblical qualifications concerning the positions of leadership at Niemonds Independent Church. Please do not hesitate to read the constitution with regards to the process. Any member may nominate someone that they feel has Biblical qualifications and that they feel will represent Christ and the church in leadership.
You may approach any Elder (listed on the front of your bulletin) and give them the name.
The process then involves that name being brought before the council for review. The council will determine the Biblical qualifications and credibility of the candidate. If the name passes the council at 100%, that person is notified as to their willingness to serve. If they are willing, their name is placed on the ballot.
Please do not hesitate to bring a qualified name to any Elder.
May I encourage you again to read the qualifications for an Elder? (The Deacon position will be addressed next Sunday.)
1 Peter 5, Acts 20, 1 Timothy 5 (IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ) and Titus 1.
It is a joy to be your pastor.
From the Pastor’s Heart…
(September 19, 2010)
When you think about the fact that the congregation will be nominating men for the position of deacon, you must begin with a simple definition. Deacon is from the Greek word ‘diakonos’ which means ‘service.’
In God’s plan, every person in the church is to be equipped ‘for works of service (diakonia) [Ephesians 4:12], but there are certain men that are called to serve the church in a special way, participating in the building up of the body of Christ.
The first illustration of this was at the founding of the church in Acts 6, where men of good report and godly character were selected to ‘serve’ in the church in Jerusalem so that the Elders (Pastors) could take the necessary time for the study and preparation from God’s Word.
I would ask that you read that passage as well as the qualifications listed in 1Timothy 3:8-13. These passages will lead you to understand not only the importance of the position, but also the qualifications of those that would be placed in them.
Qualifications like dignity, sincerity, honesty, founded in God’s Word, clearly focused on God, trustworthiness, husband of one wife, faithfully a husband and father.
Paul is outlining qualities that reflect maturity in Christ… Traits that every believer should strive for, but that Deacons (in serving) should demonstrate readily.
If you would like to read all of the Pastor’s Heart articles, you may do so online at Niemonds.org. Please contact any Elder to nominate someone for any position as we pray and await our annual meeting in November. Nominations must be given to an elder by the first Sunday of October.
It is a joy to be your pastor.
From the Pastor’s Heart…
(September 26, 2010)
During the history of Niemonds Independent Church, a small number of women have been elected to the council of leadership each year. That decision is based upon a verse in 1Timothy. It is in the context of the qualifications listed for service as a deacon (diakonos = service). Verse 11 reads, “Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.” Then the context returns to the qualifications of Deacons.
The word “their” in that passage is not in the original language which makes this verse very difficult for translators. Some believe that it is talking (in context) about another qualification of a Deacon… that they should have wives that are reverent, temperate, etc. Others believe that this is a verse that states that there should be women in this level of leadership because of the evidence in other areas of scripture where service-oriented spiritual gifts are very evident in women.
Niemonds has taken the biblical position that men are to be the head of the household (righteously, not dictatorially) and that they are to be deferred to as leadership in the local body of Christ. Having said that, we have continued to place women with the characteristics described in verse 11 into “deaconess” positions so that they can be of overwhelming help and support in this area of ministry.
Because of that, we encourage you to take a very good look at verse 11 and feel free to nominate qualified women for this position on our church council.
Reminder: All nominations for any office must be given to an Elder (listed on the front of the bulletin) by Sunday, October 10th.
It is a joy to be your pastor.
From the Pastor’s Heart…
(October 3, 2010)
Good morning.
Today is the last day for you to contact one of the Elders of Niemonds, listed on the front of the bulletin, with any nominations for any of the leadership positions here at the church. Our annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm.
It is also important to note that according to our constitution there must be at least 50% of the active membership present to conduct a meeting. Please make sure that you have put this date down as a priority. All those that attend Niemonds are certainly invited to attend as well.
Please review the scripture references that I have listed over the last several weeks on the “Pastor’s Heart” page and be in prayer. If you do not have those articles, they can be read online at www.niemonds.org.
Praying with you for the future, filled with edification and evangelism.
It is a joy to be your pastor.
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