The election of church officers at the close of the year is always a major undertaking. God’s cause needs the most consecrated talent that can be found for leadership in the various churches. Sometimes in the process of electing the officers for the New Year, the charge is made that a clique is controlling the election. For several years, I have followed a special plan in the election of officers for our church, and church members have usually felt that the elections were fair and democratic.
In the last quarter of the year, members of the church board are called together to approve the plan. They are given a ballot for the election of the church nominating committee, which has on it the following information:
“Please, list your choice of two names to serve on the nominating Committee. It should be one man and one woman. I like the idea of having a well-balanced gender representation in the nominating committee.
1._____________________
2._____________________
Also suggest to the newly-elected nominating committee the names of those who you feel would serve well in the following capacities (See also the Church Manual, page 155, for more function suggestions):
★ Church Elder
★ Deacons
★ Deaconess
★ Clerk
★ Treasurer
★ Sabbath School Superintendent
★ Children’s Department
★ Youth Society Leader
★ Community Services Director
★ Women’s Ministries Director
“Concerning the nominating committee election, it is understood that should two from the same family qualify for this important committee (such as husband and wife), only the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.”
These ballots are passed to the church members on Sabbath morning, and each member writes down the names of the persons of his or her choice. The secret ballot provides complete freedom to vote, and this plan gives every member of the church an equal voice in the voting. Later the ballots are tabulated, and the seven members receiving the highest number of votes are elected to serve on the nominating committee. The size of the committee has been predetermined, of course.
The ballot lists the various church offices, and after tabulating this poll, the nominating committee has some guiding suggestions as to the church’s choice for these various offices. The committee, of course, is not obligated to follow the poll rigidly, since its members have been elected by the church to do their work. Another advantage in this plan is that individuals nominated to an office are more likely to serve because they realize that they were selected by the church.
This plan is not perfect, but it has worked well for me since I began using it about seven years ago. I commend it to you for consideration.
General Conference Ministerial Association
