The way our system presently works is that an administrator works his way up through our states and regions, effectively getting beneficial training to prepare them for larger assignments. But, in just this one aspect of our appointive system, we have one very large problem. That is:- No state or region gets the benefit of a sustained leadership/administrative vision.
Travis,
Who will nominate candidates?
Awesome!I have asked for years why we can’t go to this type of system, it’s very A/G to think this way lol.Cool thing is we could elect our own AB’s & if they don’t work out we reserve the right to vote them out. An AB from our state/region would be more aware of the culture & the personalities in ministry.Now …what do we do to get this activated________________Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing …introducing people to Jesus!
Any credentialed minister could nominate. The State Council could then inquire as to the availability and eligibility of the candidate. Those names could be presented at the state ministers meeting. Another option would be that the Ministers could nominate and the state council would elect.Obviously, both would have different ramifications. Either way, it would be a departure from our current method, which just could be better…and more considerate of both the respective states AND the administrator. People don’t have to move around their whole life. It’s healthy to plant roots and let your kids grow up in a place as opposed to spending your life moving from place to place first as a youth director and then as an overseer.
Any credentialed minister could nominate. The State Council could then inquire as to the availability and eligibility of the candidate. Those names could be presented at the state ministers meeting. Another option would be that the Ministers could nominate and the state council would elect.Obviously, both would have different ramifications. Either way, it would be a departure from our current method, which just could be better…and more considerate of both the respective states AND the administrator. People don’t have to move around their whole life. It’s healthy to plant roots and let your kids grow up in a place as opposed to spending your life moving from place to place first as a youth director and then as an overseer. While this system we are under has some benefits, we can value our people on both ends of this equation better. I think we can produce greater results as well.
Any credentialed minister could nominate. The State Council could then inquire as to the availability and eligibility of the candidate. Those names could be presented at the state ministers meeting. Another option would be that the Ministers could nominate and the state council would elect.Obviously, both would have different ramifications. Either way, it would be a departure from our current method, which just could be better…and more considerate of both the respective states AND the administrator. People don’t have to move around their whole life. It’s healthy to plant roots and let your kids grow up in a place as opposed to spending your life moving from place to place first as a youth director and then as an overseer. While this system we are under has some benefits, we can value our people on both ends of this equation better. I think we can produce greater results as well. Have you made this proposal before?
Cleveland will not trust states and regions beyond their influence to become autonomous. They will simply not trust pastors in far off regions and states to remain brand loyal. Ain’t gonna happen.
former pastor and now a pew sitter… An idea way past it’s time.Remembering how it is… If the ministers had time to think on it, I think it could pass. If passed the actual voting would have to be staggered or submit a 1st-3rd choices… But I am simple minded on big issues..This would be a BOON for each state methinks. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
The cliques in each state are loving this idea. Block vote their leader in then they have they control over each church and who goes there (and who is out, of course).
Interesting – so perhaps a church should elect their pastor, as well….so a State Overseer doesn’t just fill all the best churches with his close buddies..________________
Interesting – so perhaps a church should elect their pastor, as well….so a State Overseer doesn’t just fill all the best churches with his close buddies…
You make a valid point.In a perfect world, we would not be clique-ish I think a better idea would be the general hq would bring names forward for the ministers to vote on. Much as ABs now bring names to churches. It might eliminate some of that stuff.
Very interesting discussion Travis. There are obviously some fantastic leaders serving on various state councils and serving as district overseers that have great administrative abilities. As homeboys they know the personalities of certain regions as well as proclivities of certain pastors (that might take an out of state overseer a few years to really grasp). I would love to hear the pros and cons of in-state overseer elections discussed in Nashville. But in the meantime, I’d like to ask you for some clarification regarding the 1st solution you mentioned.
I would lift tenure, period. If someone is effective, let them lead for as long as they’re effective. If they’re no longer effective, the state council or state ministers can express the need for a change via preference ballot (or a real ballot).
we could fast and pray until the Holy Spirit says, Separate [name] for the work for which I have called.________________God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led
Actually, Dave…
suggesting something from how the early church selected, or had selected for them, is flawed – not in the pristine methodology but in the spiritual climate today where the prophetic is abused.In Acts 13a prophetic utterance issued the call Barnabas and Saul and the others responded with fasting and prayer the others gave their blessings on the duo.While I do not dismiss such for today, I still don’t see that happening in the Church of God today.Too many would even make this a political fray, jockeying for who are designated as prophets and teachers and delegated the authority to place their seal of approval on the Spirit’s selection.Why was Ray Hughes (s)elected to serve as GO and later appointed President of Lee when it was obvious his giftedness was pulpit ministry rather than administrative? There is a corrupting presence in an elective process, one that creates abuse and misuse not unlike what Wayne suggested in another post.So, I’ll stick with my or rather than an and, at least for now, and until someone can convince me the (s)elective process is best.When I was sent to a local church to select a pastor, I had this interesting exchange. They had been without a pastor for at least 3 weeks. When I presented the name of the candidate the council asked, Can we pray about this first?I asked, What have you been doing the past 3 weeks?________________God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led