"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
1 Corinthians 3:6
A Message From the Horne of Africa
"The Call to Leadership"
03/01/2009
For several weeks now we have implored the throne of grace to assist us in the selection of our elders, see James 5:16. God heard our cries on this matter on numerous occasions. We wanted our God to know that we did not want to dictate to Him, but to seek His guidance, see Matthew 26:69. He is divine; we are human. He is omniscient; we are myopic. He is everything; we are nothing. So we took it to the Lord in prayer and some even fasted. We said, "Lord, please understand that we don't want the men that we want, but the men that You want to serve as our elders." We needed "a group of men whose hearts the Lord has touched," 1 Samuel 10:26.
The committee consisting of Larry Delaney in the chair, Randy Dunn, Charley Swann, Frank Wolfe and me spent several hours sifting through the congregation's selections of the candidates. Every member of the committee knew that it was not "our job" to select your elders for you, but to simply use the guidelines approved at the men's business meeting to place the most qualified men before you. After an appropriate period to register objections, you were given a final ballot to affirm your selections. The response was most gratifying and even exciting. The hard working committee felt their many hours consulting together was worthwhile and had been blessed by the Lord. We register our thanks to the committee and especially to Larry Delaney for the sterling work he performed during his tenure. Thank you, Larry.
Today we make ecclesiastical history! Riverside church of Christ takes another giant step in her growth and maturity, see Acts 14:23. Though none of these men makes any pretense of perfection, Gene Bosse and Elray Wilson both bring a wealth of experience from their past service in other places as elders. Chuck Coleman has been a community leader in local government for a number of years, but is new to this level of church leadership. He has shown a great deal of competent efficiency, enthusiasm and willingness to grow in this capacity. All three men have wonderful, dedicated and service- oriented wives. We salute these committed couples and thank them for their willingness to pay the price of leadership. It is no small thing.
Eldred Echols, who brought me to Christ, wrote a commentary on the book of Revelation entitled Haven't You Heard? There's a War Going On. Yes, we are at war, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Our new elders are like combat officers leading the troops (the soldiers of Christ) into battle against Satan and his denizens. Jesus Christ is our commanding officer and His combat manual is the Word of God. Victory in Jesus is assured though there are trying times ahead. Social and economic pressures will abound. Attacks will become more vigorous against Christianity from all sides.The message of salvation will be diluted. Worship will be evolved into entertainment. Morality will be assaulted. Evangelism will shrink. . .unless we stand strong with our Master and His men. The weak will faint; the strong will prevail. Where will you be?
Let us support our leaders as they follow Christ, Hebrews 13:17. United we stand, divided we fall. Unity is strength, see 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3. May God endue these men with wisdom from above, with tender hearts that love the souls of men and with a courageous faith to ward off sin and error. May you all exemplify the best in Christianity--always. Thank you, Chuck, Gene and Elray, for accepting the challenge. Keep the faith! Stay the course!
Love you all,
Al--"the Horne of Africa."