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Acts – Reverse the Process
When congregations make decisions, especially about elders, it is important to have a consensus, as in Acts 6 when choosing servants. Too often, decisions are blocked by a minority, one or two or a few, who object not on scriptural grounds but for personal ones. The objection might even be disguised as being scriptural. And maybe sometimes it really is. The congregation then is told they can’t move forward without a consensus and the church does nothing. But wait, reverse the process and you still don’t have a consensus. Instead of being 90% for and 10% against proceeding, it is now 10% for and 90% against not proceeding. Neither has a consensus. What’s the point? The church is not a democracy with one vote per Christian, but neither is it an oligarchy which it becomes when ruled by the minority. Those who say you can’t move forward without 100% fail to see they are asking the rest not to move forward without 100%. Not moving is still a decision. They are asking for what they are unwilling to do. What is the solution? Obviously we need more cooperation like we see between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We also need the minority and majority to remember each congregation belongs to Jesus and not them. Once we crucify our wills, submit to God’s will, and love one another like we claim to love God, consensus can be built.
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