You sometimes wonder…
Last night was not a ‘great night’! We had a Deacon’s Board meeting and at the beginning of every year we change chairperson (this way no one can think of ‘taking control’ of the board). Anyway when time came to change the chairperson (and all the other offices also) the chairperson did not want to step down!
He gave a million reasons why he should stay there and really made a big scene out of it. We kindly tried to get him to reason and accept that his time was up but nothing worked. It was the first time that something like that ever happened. He demanded a vote between himself and the other person that was suppose to become the next chairperson. Deep in my heart I did not want a vote simply because it would break the unity of the board.
His demand was firm and so we voted. Each person on the Board voted secretly between the two men. I knew it was going to be a disaster and it was. Everyone voted for the up-comming chairperson except the chairperson who had voted for himself. His face changed, he came into a daze as if he was ‘not there’. It was like a train had hit him - he had made a total fool of himself. He then shut down and did not co-operate openly with the rest of the meeting.
It’s very sad but this person had forgotten what being a deacon (diakonos) was all about - serving. I hope this will be settled for I know that there will be an uneasiness about this until there is repentence. What are your thoughts about this situation?
My thoughts? I need to go eat pretty soon, but I think that it is rather sad of this man. You are right in saying that he had forgotten about what being a deacon is all about. I’m not super familiar with a deacon’s duties are, but it’s obvious that they are servants and just as anybody else in the Church of God, we’re called to use our gifts out of love and for God’s people, not because we think we’re the right person for the “job”, especially when the majority of the brothers and sisters believe that it’s only proper for a new deacon to take his place.
Comment by Gabrielle — January 22, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Oh. Isn’t it crazy how only one person can bring such a heavy and tough atmosphere into a body of believers? I think that it must be a pretty touchy situation that needs to be handled with care and love. But for sure, the man needs to come to understand he’s been wrong, not wronged. I guess he needs to be prayed for eh?
Comment by Gabrielle — January 22, 2007 @ 4:33 pm