A Good Work

The office-bearer is a remarkable man. He has to perform a “good work,” but he must continually disapprove of his own work. He is an ambassador of the King, but he also partakes of His scars. Once when a student was accepted for the Theological School, he spoke with an elder who had with love served in God’s church for many years. The elder pointed out to him a post in the barnyard to which the sheep came when they had an itch. He said, “You may soon be such a post.” He said it without any bitterness and to encourage the student.

I gladly repeat this for brother elders and deacons. Possibly for them the above is applicable in a double measure. An elder is a remarkable man; and so is a deacon. They are an unusual apparition in a society in which labors are estimated on the basis of the payment which one receives. True office-bearers are volunteers who can do nothing else, because necessity is laid upon them. They go their way in quietness, incapable in themselves.

They are often misunderstood by those whom they seek to serve. Doesn’t their task appear to be so easy? Isn’t it only doing family visitation and drinking coffee? On Sunday one merely passes the collection plate and has a place of honor in the congregation. But the reality is so different.

So much comes upon an office-bearer. He is much talked about, gossiped about, and criticized. It is no wonder that he at times is inclined to give it up. It is certainly a wonder when — in spite of everything and in spite of himself— he may continue, looking upon His great Sender! For this grace is necessary, both officially and personally. It is a great privilege when he is supported therein by his family members. At times they may silently sigh with him.

Especially in these times the office brings with it special stresses. Modern man has become very vocal. He himself determines how he desires to live and what he desires to hear. An office-bearer may certainly admonish, and he must do so by all means in love, but that is the extent to which he may go. Discipline is of the wicked one! The authority of God has been exchanged for freedom of speech. The office-bearer must primarily be gentle; propriety is secondary or even third.

It is not difficult to understand that a proper office-bearer finds it impossible to continue, unless the Lord Himself has separated him for this task. The calling thereto is then indispensable. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God” (Hebrews 5:4). The commentators also lay stress upon a “prior call.”

However, the situation with elders and deacons is somewhat different from that of prospective ministers of the Word. The former are placed as candidates by the consistory and elected by the congregation. For the latter an internal call should precede it. This internal call must be acknowledged by the consistory and curatorium. They are ordained only when — after being instructed and declared a candidate — a call has been extended by the congregation of the Lord.

In the choosing of elders and deacons the accent is upon the latter calling. If one is placed in a duo, and if one is chosen to the office, it sometimes comes as a complete surprise. One may never have expected it. It does also happen that one has already been inwardly prepared for it, as he may have been exercised about it. However, in both cases, it will be a great struggle to say “Yes.” There can be a thousand obstacles in the way. Blessed is the man who is endowed with humility. Looking upon the weightiness of the office and upon personal unworthiness, he shall have to say, “Who is sufficient for these things?”

The Lord is nevertheless mighty to incline the heart and to open the way. He Himself it is who calls by means of the congregation. This is noted at the time of installation, and accordingly the question is asked, “Whether you do not feel in your hearts that ye are lawfully called of God’s church, and consequently of God Himself, to these your respective holy offices?”

The internal call to the office of elder or deacon is therefore evident in “the good testimony of our heart, that we undertake the offered office neither from ambition nor avarice, nor any other selfish feeling, but a sincere fear of God and desire to edify the church” (Calvin’s Institutes, Book IV, Chapter III, Paragraph 11). One must therefore be on guard against inserting himself or forcing himself into the office. There are those who do not understand why they have never been placed as a candidate or elected to the office. They consider themselves more exceptional than another. However, God calls those who are entirely unworthy. They can wait upon the Lord. They may await the moment that the Lord calls by means of the congregation and sends them forth into His vineyard. Then only is the calling a lawful calling.

It is Christ Himself who calls and appoints. He is the King of the church, the great Office-bearer. The minor office-bearers must be busy in serving in accordance with His Word. They are first and foremost servants of Christ, and then — for Christ’s sake — servants of men (and not the reverse!). The office-bearer comes forth out of the congregation, but he receives the office from above, from Christ Himself. Unto Him he is entirely accountable.

In a certain sense the office-bearer stands between Christ and the congregation. This gives its own stress to the official work. On the one hand he stands on the side of the congregation, and on the other hand he stands on the side of God. There are times when he must even stand over against the congregation, namely, when God’s Word is being questioned. Office-bearers must then also be strictly honest. The temptation is so great to be a good minister, a well-known elder, a sympathetic deacon. Then we are seeking ourselves, and we clothe ourselves with the wool of the sheep.

However, it concerns the honor of God and the salvation of immortal souls. We must never let ourselves be controlled by fear of men or by a desire for the favor of men. It is even worse when we are concerned about ourselves. All this requires much self-denial and much kneework in secret.

May God give grace to make us honest and to keep us honest. This grace is obtainable from Him, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it,” in commencement and in the future! To be an office-bearer is not an easy matter. The office must be borne, and it is too heavy for weak, human shoulders.

However, there is also another side. The office-bearer is borne by the office. This he may at times clearly experience. Indeed, he is borne with his office by Him who is the highest Office-bearer. Zion’s eternal King vouches for the fruit upon the work. It is the best reward when His subjects may by moments experience His favor and when they can again re-enlist!

They can often be weary of everything, and mostly of themselves. However, the Lord never becomes weary of His own. He is willing yet to use unfit ones in His service. Continue on under all the griefs of your souls. Consider that the servant is not greater than his Master, and that there is not a more desirable work than to follow in His footsteps. And therefore we heartily repeat with Paul, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work”!

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