Ministers Desk 18th March 2012

We are currently praying to seek God's will regarding the people he has called to serve as Church Councillors and Elders.  Nomination forms are available from the information desk.  They contain instructions on how to make a nomination.  Completed forms can be returned to the marked box on the information desk.

Through this nomination process we are asked to undertake a journey of spiritual discernment.  Spiritual discernment involves calling on the Holy Spirit to lead or give direction on a matter.  It is how the Spirit shows the church and his people what he wants them to do and be.  Discernment is not a practice that we turn off and on.  It is something that we should live with continually, as we surrender our lives to God and align ourselves to his will.  "The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and he delights in his way" (Psalm 37:23).

As we intentionally take time to discern God's way in relation to people called to leadership positions within the congregtaion, we need to remember that discernment is:

1. governed by love, for if it is not, it's worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3);
2. centres us on Jesus (1 Cor 12:3), and his good news;
3. directs us to Scripture, not away from it (Isaiah 8:19, 20);
4. builds up the church and its members ( Ephesians 4:11-12), giving it power, wisdom, character, boldness, and unity.

Discernment is both a personal and communal.  In the Uniting Church we believe that God speaks through the Councils of the church and that as we listen to others, we are able to hear the leading of the Spirit.  For this reason each one of us play an important part in making nominations, praying over the nominations and voting at the congregational meeting.  Choosing our leaders in this way is one of the most important tasks that we undertake as a congregation.  Therefore it is a task entrusted to the congregation through the congretional meeting.  

In the coming week please take time to prayer over the nomination process.  Allow the Spirit to surprise and challenge you with names to nominate or not nominate.  Be inspired to put someone forward for a significant role in God's church.