by Dave Andersen

For the last three years, I’ve been privileged to chair the Bethany Nominating Committee. You may know some of the members of this team: John Scheleen, Lisa Hudson, Betty Freeland, Alan Cizik and Rob Mitchell, have been elected by you. Jan Young is the deacon’s representative and Carol Van Nuys, the elder’s representative.

Starting in mid-September and working usually to mid-April, we meet about twice a month during the Sunday second service time slot. Our task is to discern whom God is calling into servant leadership in the ordained offices of deacon and elder, and to nominate them for a congregational vote in May.

Occasionally, we are asked to nominate a pastor nominating committee.

One might also ask why we need to maintain this ancient practice of nominating deacons and elders. Isn’t serving with, e.g., New Horizons, Young Life or Work Relief, just as important a ministry?

Our purpose is not to rank ministries or to suggest that serving as a deacon or elder is more important than (name your favorite area of service). We believe, however, that serving as a deacon or elder is not only a valid ministry, but that they give a coherent and purposeful structure to our church life. Deacons are there to provide service and care to those who may otherwise “fall through the cracks.” Elders, working with staff, provide leadership in many of our core ministries.

We don’t have this system for the sake of maintaining a program; we have it to better help our fellowship use and exercise its collective gifts.

We try to determine who has gifts and interest in particular areas of ministry; we try to ask who has been volunteering; and, we seek out recommendations. We’d love to get your recommendations.

Bethany is remarkable for its embrace of younger leaders. The leadership circle at some churches is so tight that a relative newcomer may never be given the chance to be a nominee for deacon or elder. I think Bethany’s leadership has a good balance of the new folks with the old timers, and in-between timers as well.

I love being a part of a team that helps call people into servant leadership.