Friday, July 27, 2007

FASHION SHOWS AND POPULARITY CONTEST

The General Council of the Assemblies of God will be electing a new General Superintendent in two weeks. The process is simple enough. All ordained ministers in the AG are eligible to be considered as there is not a nominating committee. Therefore all the delegates at Council cast a nominating ballot. After that ballot only those nominated may be considered for election. If someone receives two-thirds of the votes on the nominating ballot they are declared elected. If no one is elected the first elective ballot follows from those nominated. Once the votes have been counted we will consider only the top 15 candidates on the second ballot and then only the top 3 until someone receives the necessary two-thirds.

Our prayer is that the election does not just end up being a popularity contest among those with name recognition. It’s one thing to know someone’s name and another to know the person. Nevertheless Paul warns us about how we judge one another as servants of Christ.

  • So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God.
    1 Corinthians 4:5 (MsgB)

The Corinthian church was debating who the super-apostles were. Paul, Apollos and Cephas were the top three vote getters. Paul put a stop to the popularity contest. He reminded the Corinthians and us as well that God has set a day of judgment. The Lord knows the hearts of His servants and will make our motives known. Those filled with pride and self-achievement will be exposed. Those who humbly serve the Master will be rewarded.

Let’s not make the mistake of thinking one minister is better than another, or for that matter one Christian over another. We are all just servants.

Yes there is a place to judge one another in regard to sin (see 1 Corinthians 5:12-13), but judgment is not about choosing favorites. We are all equal before God. What do you think?

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