Church Elections and Your Involvement

  • Mar 12, 2009
  • Series: Leadership Development

CTK will hold an election for elders at a congregational meeting on Sunday, March 29, 2009.

This election is but one of the many things Jesus is doing at CTK to build this church and advance his kingdom in Raleigh and throughout the world.

Many of us at CTK are excited about the election-even though we don't how the election will turn out. For we know that Jesus loves his Church more than we ever could and that he shed his blood so that she could continue to grow and mature and move toward perfection. We can actively participate in the building of his church-for he has commissioned his followers to take part in that process.

As we work, though, we should expect resistance. Christ's promise to build his church comes with this promise: "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18). There is both hope in that promise and the mention of battle. If Christ promises the gates of hell will not prevail against his church, it means that the gates of hell will put up a fight even though their loss is certain.

Christ has not left his church without weapons to fight. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

If it's a spiritual battle, then we must use spiritual weapons to defend and fight. Both harsh criticism or passive nonchalance about this process can cause serious damage to our church. We don't want to take casualties due to friendly fire or an inability to act.  But grounding ourselves in the gospel, reading God's word, and expressing faith through obedience and prayer are some of the ways we can fight against our real enemy (Hell's devil).

So, if you are a member of CTK, I'm asking that you do three things:

1.    Pray - for the church, its current and potential leaders, and the meeting on March 29. While you are praying, ask the Lord how you should involve yourself in this process.

Our community groups will be gathering to pray for the church leading up to the meeting on March 29. Your community group leader will be sending you more details about the gatherings.

2.    Learn - about elders and about the men nominated to serve as elders at CTK. Read passages like 1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. Listen to the sermons preached on those passages at CTK over the next couple of weeks. Introduce yourself to the men nominated for elders and ask them questions.

3.    Serve - by showing up at the congregational meeting on March 29. Participate in the meeting as is appropriate. Ask questions. Vote.

Above all, keep looking to Jesus, trusting that he is building his church in the way he deems best.