I Actually Like Elders Meetings!
One question changed my tune and taught me to move in step with them.
Keith Mannes
October 1, 2003
Tuesday morning and I feel great. Why? We had an elders meeting last night! These days, I look forward to our meetings. We get things done, tackle tough issues, laugh, and afterward, "shoot the breeze." I appreciate our elders, and depend on them. But I admit, I haven't always felt like that. Not until one night when I asked a question and really stopped to listen. Dancing with a stubbed toe
It was our first meeting in a new term, with our newly elected elders joining us around the table. "So," I asked, "what are your feelings coming into this term of service?" There was a long pause. And then, slowly, carefully, they began to speak. It had been a simple question, but their responses revealed significant pain just below the surface. One man told a story from his previous term. He had been doing his best work for the church, trying to do a good and helpful thing, when a few church members snarled at him. This man is quiet and godly, and an experienced elder. He is no wimp. But he ended his story with a brief "That hurt." Another elder told of a disagreement with a previous pastor. There were only a few honest differences of opinion, but this elder felt the pastor had turned his back on him, walked away, and pretty much severed their relationship. (Memo to self: He wonders if I'll do that to him, too, if he dares offer a divergent thought.) This elder, a gentle, sincere Christian man, has contributed greatly to the work of our church. But he came to this term feeling burned. That seemed to be the consensus. Most of these men felt burned. They were not whiners looking for pity. They were strong, Christ-like leaders, willing to serve. But they were also disappointed with church leadership, and wary. They were willing to do the leadership ...
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