What words and phrases come to mind when I say “nominating committee”?
Unfortunately, in some churches, the words would be “manipulation,” “never-ending,” “arm-twisting,” “status quo,” “gossip,” “power hungry,” “control,” “tiring,” etc.
But fortunately, in a growing number of churches, the words would be “refreshing,” “Spirit-led,” “empowering,” “thrilling,” “fun,” etc.
How can your church’s nominating committee process better reflect the wonderful Jesus we serve and the exciting mission He has called us to, rather than the devil we have turned our backs on?
Here are three ministry models for nominating committees that I wish I had known when I was a young pastor wading through a tedious and nerve-grating process. Using these models, I can truly say that our church looked forward to the process each year because it took only one day and was a chance to see God at work raising up new leadership and affirming continued leadership for our church in the coming year. Each model is fully in harmony with the counsel in chapter 9 of the 2016 Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual. Make any changes to the process gently and kindly. It may take a few years to fully transition to this simplified (and joyful!) process. Feel free to use, adapt, or discard these models in your ministry. Remember, a MODEL can Make Our Difficulties Easy and Light!
1. Church Board Positions Only. We want everyone in the church to serve and share Jesus. But doing this through our nominating committee would take forever! So our nominating committee only fills church board positions as listed in the Church Manual. Then the church board members are responsible for mentoring the entire congregation and mobilizing them in ministry and mission. At our first church board meeting of the new year, each board member/mentor makes recommendations of people they would like to serve on their team during the new year. For example, our head deacon (who has had a chance to visit with deacons from the past year and talk with others who might be added to the team) recommends people to serve as deacons during the new year. This is discussed then voted on by the church board.
2. Insist on Three or More Names for Each Position. When things are going well in a particular church position, it is easy for the nominating committee to not really consider anyone except the current leader in that position. But this might prevent that person from being considered for another leadership role they might be better suited for, and can keep other growing leaders from ever having a chance to lead. So, for each position we went through these steps:
- Collect names—from a variety of sources, not just the committee.
- Place all names for the position on the white board. Do not remove names or allow anyone on the committee to prevent a name from being listed.
- Do not stop listing names until you have at least three names for the position (five to seven names in larger churches). This will stretch the thinking of the committee, but it also has the effect of revealing more potential leaders.
- Identify each person on the list. No speeches or discussion, pro or con, are permitted. You are not looking for reasons to take names off the list, but rather to allow the best potential leaders to rise to the top of the list.
3. Vote by Secret Ballot with a Weighted Average for Top Three Choices. Secret ballot voting allows people to vote their conscience without fear of being misunderstood or intimidated. Voting a weighted average allows all on the committee to see the strength of the vote for each nominee and sense God’s leading. Here are the steps to follow:Secret ballot voting allows people to vote their conscience without fear of being misunderstood or intimidated. Voting a weighted average allows all on the committee to see the strength of the vote for each nominee and sense God’s leading. Here are the steps to follow:
- All names for a particular position are now on the white board (including the person who has served for the current year, unless no one suggested their name). Each nominee has been identified but not discussed.
- There is time for prayer that the Lord will lead in filling this position with the right person for the new church year.
- Each committee member has a ballot. On the ballot they list their top three choices for the position and write “3” (points) beside their first choice, “2” beside their second choice, and “1” beside their third choice.
- The nominating committee secretary picks someone to read and verify each ballot and someone else to record the points beside each name as read. Everyone watches as points are added beside names. When all ballots are read it is easy to identify the first, second, and third choice of the committee. If there is a tie, a new ballot may be used.
- Repeat the process for each church board position. You will ultimately have a first, second, and third choice for each church board position.
- Identify which committee members will contact the people for each position. But before anyone is contacted, the nominee’s name must be confidentially cleared by the clerk (confirm membership locally and that there are no ministry restrictions) and treasurer (confirm regular giving to tithe and local church budget). If the requirements are not met, their name is removed.
- The first qualified person in each position should be called. If they decline, then the second qualified person is called, etc. Within two weeks all positions are generally filled and a first and second reading and vote are taken by the entire congregation.
Dan Serns is Director of English Evangelism for the Texas Conference. This article was first published in Best Practices, November 11, 2019, and has been lightly edited for Elder’s Digest. Used by permission.
