He could be like me. Been involved in leadership twice. Sick of it. Have no desire to get involved in the circus and side show again.
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Refusing Leadership
- Thread starter Reformed
- Start date
Reformed, life is very short. If a person has an obligation to family, has a pressure job, or wants to have a hobby etc., why try to pressure the guy to do what you just know he or she doesn’t want to do?
For the record, I did not pressure the guy. Unless some in this thread have not caught on, Bob is a real person that I have known for 32 years. He lives in a different state than me. While we are not bosom pals, we have similar friends and walk in the same circles. His church eventually did move on to another candidate. From what I know of Bob, there are no skeletons in his closet; no hidden reasons for not wanting to assume the role of elder. He just does not want to do it.
I didn’t say you did.
Jonah was called....
I just wanted to clarify in case anyone misunderstood.
.....And he went. God made him willing (Jonah 3:3). It just took a little more time than usual.
He went. Don't see where his heart was in it though.:
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not. Jonah 3
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. Jonah 4
.....And he went. God made him willing (Jonah 3:3). It just took a little more time than usual.
I disagree, Jonah went - but not willing
I suppose it depends on your definition of 'willing.' God told him to go and he went (Jonah 3:1-3) and delivered the message that God had given him. It is the same for this guy Bob; if God wants him to serve, he'll serve; maybe reluctantly, but he'll be willing to do it.
glad4mercy
Active Member
Must be called of God, not of men. Men presuring someone into the ministry is a really bad idea.
God calls but he uses men to extend the call. No one possesses perfect knowledge as to who has been called. If the elders of a church are considering a call to a man to become an elder, they must trust in prayer and the honesty of the man they are considering. If the candidate does not want the position or knows he is unqualified, he should decline.
glad4mercy
Active Member
If the man hasn't expressed that God has called him, I don't think the elders should consider calling him to be an elder. So I guess the issue is whether he has expressed that. In addition, even if he has been called, maybe he is in a season of preparation, where God is working on him in certain areas before he is ready to begin. You never want to go ahead of God.
No way of knowing his true intents or motivations, but the Bible says "be not many teachers" and "lay hands suddenly on no man".
Years ago, I announced the call to ministry and was rushed into it, even though I told them I wasn't yet ready for what they were asking me to do (I felt I needed more growth spiritually first), and the results were disasterous. Being called doesnt always mean you're going to assume a leadership position right away.
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2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
If God doesn't want our money if it is given grudgingly why would he want our service if it were done grudgingly?
It's a personal matter between the LORD and the individual.
If God doesn't want our money if it is given grudgingly why would he want our service if it were done grudgingly?
It's a personal matter between the LORD and the individual.
Just because a man said no to serving as a deacon, doesn't mean that he is out of God's will. My husband street witnesses on Saturday mornings (roughly 5 hours each week)-in a very wicked city that is known for its immorality. He ministers to both physical and spiritual needs which oftentimes involves our entire family (buying gift cards, calling detox centers and setting up services...). It is precious that some of the homeless and others have come to the Lord over time and through continued ministry to them. Additionally, my husband is very active in evangelism during his travels as he is often involved with Mormons, Muslims...There is a lot of prayer required as there is much spiritual warfare involved so he started a prayer meeting with fellow business men that pray daily over the phone from 4-5am (before their business day begins.) He also turned down an opportunity to serve in our local Baptist church and some may feel that he isn't fully committed to serving at the local church and may question his walk with the Lord. He didn't tell them of his ministry commitments as it could draw attention to himself and not the Lord. So, he hears from the Lord and quietly obeys. Ultimately, it is the Lord that knows our hearts and it is the Lord who calls us to ministries and to whom we must obey.