The September Elder’s Meeting
The elders met last night, even though it was a Tuesday night and we’re always scheduled for the 1st Monday night of the month. See what you get when you have a new pastor? Your schedule is rearranged and your life is totally out of whack for a day or two! Actually, I’m not sure it was David who did the rearranging, but, of course, we didn’t mind. We actually enjoy our meetings and don’t look forward to them with dread or apprehension. We all get along so well and David fit right in very quickly, so our meetings have not changed much at all with his arrival.
As you might expect with people who have been chosen as ‘elders’, we are an outspoken group of men. We each have our own unique perspective and don’t mind letting others know our view point on any subject that may arise. We have the utmost respect for each other and have no problem yielding to another’s persuasion if it’s something that we can find a compromise on. There are any number of things that arise where opinions vary from one to another, but it’s all handled with poise and civility and in the unity that Christ expects of us. We know instinctively the things that cannot be compromised and we are flexible with those things that can. The biggest struggle we have is not talking over each other and allowing each one time to state his position without constant interruptions. But, I think we accomplish that fairly well. Of course, I may be wrong and everyone in the room thinks I dominate the conversation too much. I know I’ve been guilty of that in the past without being aware of it.
I do find it humorous watching the mannerisms of the different men in the room though. David Carter is quiet and studied. He presents the ‘money’ news from the finance committee and is always optimistic and full of faith. He amazes me really. If I had to look at the bank account each week and keep up with how little we have in reserve I’m afraid I would be pessimistic and worried. But David is always upbeat and never is one to doubt the Lord’s ability and desire to bless His work.
Junior is also one of the quieter ones among us, but does have some hot buttons that prods his spirit and opens him up. He is especially passionate about education and discipleship. He wants us to start as early as possible training the little ones in the ways of the Lord and is a watch dog over that area of the body. He is a gently giant among us who speaks softly and reflectively, but garners our attention whenever he speaks.
Jeff Marier is, as you know from his postings on here, a bible student and a very thoughtful person. He takes copious notes during our discussions and will interrupt our progress to review his ‘bullet points’ when he has a chance. He is animated and humorous and always brings a unique and well reasoned perspective to our discussions. Jeff, as you may be aware, is an artistic person and has a very good imagination. That bend in his make up gives him a creative approach to things and blends nicely with his analytical side.
Craig is one of our computer geeks (David Carter is also a geek by trade). He, like Jeff and David is somewhat analytical in his approach to things too. Craig is also very creative and multi-talented and with his wide array of interests and skills he has the ability to speak on any number of subjects with an experienced viewpoint. He has followed the Lord for a good number of years and has a genuine burden to see New Life prosper in God’s kingdom. He is concerned about those who are hidden away and don’t have as much of a voice as others. He empathizes with the weak and burdened and looks after their interests when God gives him a voice.
John is the senior of the bunch and is the de-facto leader when our pastor is away, and even when David is there, he keeps things moving along and on track. John is a business man and understands how to keep us focused on the core issues and off of rabbit trails. This is very important when you have a group of opinionated and passionate men sitting around discussing things that are dear to their hearts. John is regarded by all as a man after God’s own heart and who sincerely desires to please the Lord. He has a great number of contacts in the community, both in the Christian world and the secular, and is respected by all. I enjoy his insights and practical approach to matters that can sometimes be confusing to someone as simple as me.
I have probably been attending New Life longer than anyone in the room. I have a passion for the vision that God gave our 1st pastor so many years ago and have found myself as the protector of that vision a good many times. I have also been a staff member and as such speak for them whenever necessary. I speak out of turn frequently and am sure I get on everyone’s nerves. I am impatient when the discussions seem to drag on with no end in sight and find myself trying to get to the heart of the problem without giving everyone a chance to state their position. I sense the Lord placing His hand on my shoulder and telling me to calm down and listen, but then doing the opposite. I am most appreciative of the patience everyone shows me as a new member of the board and as the ‘crazy old man’.
David Lion, our pastor, has assumed his leadership role comfortably and seems to enjoy our meetings as much as we do. He is still new to us and we’re still getting to know him but he seemed to fit in quickly. I have found him to be genuine, open and humble. He receives criticism and suggestions easily and comfortably and with little resistance. He is a teacher and leader and seems to feel at ease with both of those roles. And yet, he is not a ‘worldly’ leader who insists on his own way or tries to cleverly bend the meeting to suit his own agenda or purpose. He operates as a brother and partner in the task we’re about, not as a dictator or boss. He is passionate about God’s word and seeing people be made ‘whole’ by a powerful and compassionate God.
Our meeting went well and we discussed a whole host of issues that were brought to our attention either by members or each other. We looked at the work in the nursery, KUC, discipleship, evangelism, the authority of the Word and the direction God is heading us in. We were encouraged by reports from various ministries and by the Spirit of God as He met with us in prayer. I, personally, left the meeting full of the Holy Ghost and His peace that surpasses understanding. I cannot help but believe that God has His hand on us as a body of believers and He desires to show himself strong in our behalf as we seek to do all He commands us to do. Following God always seems to be risky to me. He has a different view of things than I do and sometimes He commands me to do things that are uncomfortable to me. But, I have found that He always desires my good and He always provides my needs. And, as I look to the future as a member of New Life Christian Church, I feel both the thrill of excitement and a tinge of nervousness, not knowing what God has in store for us. I am confident though that God has called us together as a body of believers and is equipping us to do His will here in Douglasville.
As you might expect with people who have been chosen as ‘elders’, we are an outspoken group of men. We each have our own unique perspective and don’t mind letting others know our view point on any subject that may arise. We have the utmost respect for each other and have no problem yielding to another’s persuasion if it’s something that we can find a compromise on. There are any number of things that arise where opinions vary from one to another, but it’s all handled with poise and civility and in the unity that Christ expects of us. We know instinctively the things that cannot be compromised and we are flexible with those things that can. The biggest struggle we have is not talking over each other and allowing each one time to state his position without constant interruptions. But, I think we accomplish that fairly well. Of course, I may be wrong and everyone in the room thinks I dominate the conversation too much. I know I’ve been guilty of that in the past without being aware of it.
I do find it humorous watching the mannerisms of the different men in the room though. David Carter is quiet and studied. He presents the ‘money’ news from the finance committee and is always optimistic and full of faith. He amazes me really. If I had to look at the bank account each week and keep up with how little we have in reserve I’m afraid I would be pessimistic and worried. But David is always upbeat and never is one to doubt the Lord’s ability and desire to bless His work.
Junior is also one of the quieter ones among us, but does have some hot buttons that prods his spirit and opens him up. He is especially passionate about education and discipleship. He wants us to start as early as possible training the little ones in the ways of the Lord and is a watch dog over that area of the body. He is a gently giant among us who speaks softly and reflectively, but garners our attention whenever he speaks.
Jeff Marier is, as you know from his postings on here, a bible student and a very thoughtful person. He takes copious notes during our discussions and will interrupt our progress to review his ‘bullet points’ when he has a chance. He is animated and humorous and always brings a unique and well reasoned perspective to our discussions. Jeff, as you may be aware, is an artistic person and has a very good imagination. That bend in his make up gives him a creative approach to things and blends nicely with his analytical side.
Craig is one of our computer geeks (David Carter is also a geek by trade). He, like Jeff and David is somewhat analytical in his approach to things too. Craig is also very creative and multi-talented and with his wide array of interests and skills he has the ability to speak on any number of subjects with an experienced viewpoint. He has followed the Lord for a good number of years and has a genuine burden to see New Life prosper in God’s kingdom. He is concerned about those who are hidden away and don’t have as much of a voice as others. He empathizes with the weak and burdened and looks after their interests when God gives him a voice.
John is the senior of the bunch and is the de-facto leader when our pastor is away, and even when David is there, he keeps things moving along and on track. John is a business man and understands how to keep us focused on the core issues and off of rabbit trails. This is very important when you have a group of opinionated and passionate men sitting around discussing things that are dear to their hearts. John is regarded by all as a man after God’s own heart and who sincerely desires to please the Lord. He has a great number of contacts in the community, both in the Christian world and the secular, and is respected by all. I enjoy his insights and practical approach to matters that can sometimes be confusing to someone as simple as me.
I have probably been attending New Life longer than anyone in the room. I have a passion for the vision that God gave our 1st pastor so many years ago and have found myself as the protector of that vision a good many times. I have also been a staff member and as such speak for them whenever necessary. I speak out of turn frequently and am sure I get on everyone’s nerves. I am impatient when the discussions seem to drag on with no end in sight and find myself trying to get to the heart of the problem without giving everyone a chance to state their position. I sense the Lord placing His hand on my shoulder and telling me to calm down and listen, but then doing the opposite. I am most appreciative of the patience everyone shows me as a new member of the board and as the ‘crazy old man’.
David Lion, our pastor, has assumed his leadership role comfortably and seems to enjoy our meetings as much as we do. He is still new to us and we’re still getting to know him but he seemed to fit in quickly. I have found him to be genuine, open and humble. He receives criticism and suggestions easily and comfortably and with little resistance. He is a teacher and leader and seems to feel at ease with both of those roles. And yet, he is not a ‘worldly’ leader who insists on his own way or tries to cleverly bend the meeting to suit his own agenda or purpose. He operates as a brother and partner in the task we’re about, not as a dictator or boss. He is passionate about God’s word and seeing people be made ‘whole’ by a powerful and compassionate God.
Our meeting went well and we discussed a whole host of issues that were brought to our attention either by members or each other. We looked at the work in the nursery, KUC, discipleship, evangelism, the authority of the Word and the direction God is heading us in. We were encouraged by reports from various ministries and by the Spirit of God as He met with us in prayer. I, personally, left the meeting full of the Holy Ghost and His peace that surpasses understanding. I cannot help but believe that God has His hand on us as a body of believers and He desires to show himself strong in our behalf as we seek to do all He commands us to do. Following God always seems to be risky to me. He has a different view of things than I do and sometimes He commands me to do things that are uncomfortable to me. But, I have found that He always desires my good and He always provides my needs. And, as I look to the future as a member of New Life Christian Church, I feel both the thrill of excitement and a tinge of nervousness, not knowing what God has in store for us. I am confident though that God has called us together as a body of believers and is equipping us to do His will here in Douglasville.
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