Your concern is well founded. It depends on how the church qualifies leadership. Do they veiw leadership in a secular context? We typically look for people that appear successful and friendly. But spiritual leaders does not always come in a nice wrapper.
I believe there should be a interview process where candidates respond to questions from church leadership and the lay body. The questions and answers take away some guess work and bias.
I also think candidates or volunteers should be allowed. Some individuals will never be considered due to appearances or their history.
It sounds like your chuch has found a model of great promise. I would like to add , If you considered chroniclly ill and severely handicapped as individual group. Especially semi and total shut-ins who are socially isolated. I will tell you they usually become isolated from freinds and to certain extent from their immediate family. We feel rejected by everyone because we are not fun to be with abd suffering is hard to watch. We also are not big contributers due to our condition.
Please talk to Mark at Disability section on this network.
I didn't realize this was a problem! I am in mid sixties with a chronic illness that keeps me pretty much house bound and in constant discomfort. However, I feel more spiritual than at anytime in my life even though I can't sit through a church service. I wish the church would contact me for service that I can do and have learned through the Grace of God during my life journey. We in last third of life have a lot to offer but people assume because your not capable of most things, you can't contribute.You still have a lot to offer for those who are younger and rarely think about end of life!Thx
I prayed for Trump even though I didn't vote for him or thought he was a good leader. I will have no problem praying for President Biden! I sure my prayers for Trump were answered!
You don't have to answer that post Stacie,I am leaving this site and church anyway! God bless you and everyone else! I am tired of the constant conflict and little edification this site and church provides.
I understand Collin, as a white person I cannot hope to know what feels like to be African American! But I have thought the same thing was happening. I could see the injustice. As a disabled person, I felt what it's like to face a form of discrimination. I will pray and keep speaking to this injustice! Thx
Excellent post Michele! I too have been basically house bound for 20 yrs with my illnesses. This crisis should be a wake up for people living as if hardship will past them by! Hopefully, they will learn the empathy that you develop from your own experience for others. I also hope they see the Lord is your only stable thing and rejoice in his blessings He gives us in our struggles as I had to learn. Glory be to God!
Our church is doing some of this right now. The deacons each have $100 food gift cards ($2000 total per month) to hand out to whoever they find in need. We have been doing this for years. More is needed to reach out to the community in a way that attracts them to seek the Lord They buy the cards from the local Christian school which in turn makes money for tuition assistance for needy families. Win/win for all envolved. Good post! Thx
Posted in: How does your council and congregation go about selecting eligible candidates to serve as deacons and elders?
Thanks Todd,
Your concern is well founded. It depends on how the church qualifies leadership. Do they veiw leadership in a secular context? We typically look for people that appear successful and friendly. But spiritual leaders does not always come in a nice wrapper.
I believe there should be a interview process where candidates respond to questions from church leadership and the lay body. The questions and answers take away some guess work and bias.
I also think candidates or volunteers should be allowed. Some individuals will never be considered due to appearances or their history.
Ken
Posted in: How can the church most effectively meet the pastoral care needs in the congregation?
Hi T
It sounds like your chuch has found a model of great promise. I would like to add , If you considered chroniclly ill and severely handicapped as individual group. Especially semi and total shut-ins who are socially isolated. I will tell you they usually become isolated from freinds and to certain extent from their immediate family. We feel rejected by everyone because we are not fun to be with abd suffering is hard to watch. We also are not big contributers due to our condition.
Please talk to Mark at Disability section on this network.
Thanks
Ken
Posted in: Ministry to and With People in the Third Third of Life
I didn't realize this was a problem! I am in mid sixties with a chronic illness that keeps me pretty much house bound and in constant discomfort. However, I feel more spiritual than at anytime in my life even though I can't sit through a church service. I wish the church would contact me for service that I can do and have learned through the Grace of God during my life journey. We in last third of life have a lot to offer but people assume because your not capable of most things, you can't contribute.You still have a lot to offer for those who are younger and rarely think about end of life!Thx
Posted in: One of the Most Political Acts Christians Can Do: Pray for President-Elect Biden
I prayed for Trump even though I didn't vote for him or thought he was a good leader. I will have no problem praying for President Biden! I sure my prayers for Trump were answered!
Posted in: Debunking 5 Myths About The Network
Why do you have to be a excellent writer to post? Not I would care too
Posted in: Debunking 5 Myths About The Network
You don't have to answer that post Stacie,I am leaving this site and church anyway! God bless you and everyone else! I am tired of the constant conflict and little edification this site and church provides.
Posted in: Beyond Thoughts and Prayer
I understand Collin, as a white person I cannot hope to know what feels like to be African American! But I have thought the same thing was happening. I could see the injustice. As a disabled person, I felt what it's like to face a form of discrimination. I will pray and keep speaking to this injustice! Thx
Posted in: Some Thoughts on Risk-Taking
Excellent post Michele! I too have been basically house bound for 20 yrs with my illnesses. This crisis should be a wake up for people living as if hardship will past them by! Hopefully, they will learn the empathy that you develop from your own experience for others. I also hope they see the Lord is your only stable thing and rejoice in his blessings He gives us in our struggles as I had to learn. Glory be to God!
Posted in: Beyond Thoughts and Prayer
That is very true Deb, we all are bias! Realizing that is a key,even at our best we fall short of what God intended! Thx for feedback
Posted in: If We Build It, They Will Come. . . ?
It's the Deacons choice, they report to each other in the meetings. My wife is a Deacon!
Posted in: "Zoomed Out" COVID Reflections On the Ascension
I agree
Posted in: If We Build It, They Will Come. . . ?
Our church is doing some of this right now. The deacons each have $100 food gift cards ($2000 total per month) to hand out to whoever they find in need. We have been doing this for years. More is needed to reach out to the community in a way that attracts them to seek the Lord They buy the cards from the local Christian school which in turn makes money for tuition assistance for needy families. Win/win for all envolved. Good post! Thx