Vulnerable Vote

When this Church was founded 12 years ago by a small group of friends (11 of us in all) I personally felt it would be healthy and more transparent if every three years we would have all the adult membership vote by secret ballot on whether or not they believed those in leadership should continue or not. And also to nominate new people to the various leadership roles when necessary. In February 2009 we are in the midst of going through this process again, with Michael & myself up for re-affirmation.

It's not an easy season for either of us. In fact we both feel a bit vulnerable and exposed. But neither of us would have it any other way. "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to all of us" the book of Acts records. And there are a number of other NT scriptures about this such as Acts 1 & Acts 6 etc.

We have gotten a bit of flack about this from time to time from some leaders of other churches over the years, as well as a few eyebrows raised. Maybe they are insecure in their own situations. But....who better to be accountable to than to the people you serve and who see you up close week after week. Having a denominational overseer in another country or even another city seems a bit unreal to me. You may get the odd person in your own church with a grudge over something or other but the vast majority of Christians vote by their conscience. And if you are serving the Lord and His people then it's in His hands anyway.

I was asked what would I do if I was voted out. I'm not fully sure. Am I too young to write my memoires? I think the Lord isn't finished with me yet, whatever the outcome of the vote. I just want to serve Him, and if that means cleaning the toilets before or after Church that's fine Nothing worse than a pastor/church leader with grand notions about himself. Anyway...I heard Fianna Fáil might be looking for a candidate or two fairly shortly.