As you can see on the congregational meeting agenda, the council (consistory) is presenting five nominations to fill the five positions of our outgoing elders. Our serious goal has always been to present twice the number of those needed. However, we have often been unable to meet this goal because of the number of men who decline to let their name stand for the election of the congregation. This year, five of those whom council nominated for elder were unwilling or thought themselves unable to let their name stand. This seems to be an increasingly common scenario unfold­ing in many Reformed churches at around the time of office nominations and congregational voting.

Why does this happen? There are many answers to this question. Some men might decline nomination and the office because of legitimate and weighty concerns though being qualified by faith and character. Some already serve on denominational or local congregational committees, which, in addition to their commitments to marriage and family, consume their time. Another reason may simply be to evade the difficult work of leading the flock of God in the local church. Another might be a reflection of our society’s emphasis on ease and comfort. Another answer might be self-deprecating arguing that God has not given the gifts for office-bearers.

Highlighting this problem does not take away from the fact that the Lord continues to supply faithful men to serve as elders and deacons. We should all be truly thankful for faithful office-bearers, past and present, who are willing to serve Christ’s church. We trust that the Lord will con­tinue to supply such men. At the same time, there is real concern that this recurring difficulty in nominating a good number of men may reflect a misunderstanding among us as churches and members. Does it possibly say something about the spiritual condition of our congregations? It is right that we should humbly seek the Lord’s mercy and guidance with these concerns.

So where lies the difficulty? There are at least three important aspects about nomination to office that deserve our attention. For many of us, these things may be basic. Others may not have heard them emphasized or seriously considered them before now. In any case, the application of these three things lies at the heart of a biblical and Reformed understanding and response to nomination to office.

The first is a high view of the offices of elder and deacon. These offices have been appointed by Christ for the care and government of His church; they are essential to her identity and well-being. Elders and deacons serve vital roles and are encouraged with special promises of the Lord’s grace and gracious rewards (for example, see 1 Timothy 3:1, 13; 1 Peter 5:4). Without minimizing the importance of every kind of service in the church, the offices are of special significance. To be nominated to serve as an elder or deacon is different from being asked to serve on a committee or some other position in the church. The offices take precedence over other positions of service.

One cannot be coerced to serve in office against his will, but a high view of office should make clear that such service to Christ in His church in this way is a special privilege and honor to godly men.

The second thing of great practical importance is the conviction that the Holy Spirit makes His will known through the process of nomination and election to office. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes men elders and deacons (Acts 20:28). The critical thing here is to see that the Holy Spirit works through the choice of the council and then the congregation in calling men to serve. When men are notified of their nomination to office, they should see it first of all as an indication of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church, directing a process. In other words, the proper response is not first to family time and other important and valuable activities. There is a cost to wives and children, and sometimes examine their situation and feelings, or even pray about it in order to decide whether or not to let their name stand. Their first assumption should be that God is making His will known to them through the decision of others.

Without this understanding, sincere and godly men are in danger of making the mistake of first considering their own wills. Their reasoning may be devout, sincere, and well-intentioned, but they are starting at the wrong place. A decision has already been made by office-bearers about their nomination, but they fail to think of it in terms of the Holy Spirit’s way of indicating His will. If they are then unwilling to accept their nomination, their personal deci­sion overrides that of council and precludes the possibility of the Holy Spirit indicating His will through the election of the congregation.

There may be legitimate, weighty reasons that lead men to conclude that they cannot accept a nomination. A particu­lar consistory may be unaware or mistaken about issues in their lives or their present circumstances. But the trend today is to put too much importance on personal feelings and self-evaluations at the expense of nomination itself holding its due weight as the primary indicator of the Holy Spirit’s will.

A third, and closely related point, is faith in God’s provision. Serving in office is demanding. It takes away from to one’s job. It involves mental and emotional strain and great spiritual challenges. But Christian living and service always requires self-denial and hardship, small or large. It comes with suffering. But we need to remember that when God calls, He also equips. This should be our motto for serving in our churches. Men serving in office often discover that God’s grace and strength are sufficient for them to serve well. They are often blessed with spiritual growth and learning that only comes through serving.

The men called to serve can confidently trust in God to enable them to meet challenges and difficulties that seem impossible. They are indeed impossible without the gracious provision of the Holy Spirit. We constantly seek such grace and trust Him for it. For those who are married, their wives also must trust in God to bless them and their family as they share in the highs and lows of the work.

These considerations regarding nomination to office are not radical or new. They once had a more powerful influence on the thinking of Reformed Christians than they do today. We would do well to recover the consistent application of these three points to our thinking and practice.