Anabaptist ordination - lifelong calling?

[JohnH]

So there is no such thing in the Catholic world as getting/being “benched” or “silenced”. Interesting.

But that’s not permanent, is it?

[R7ehr]

So there is no such thing in the Catholic world as getting/being “benched” or “silenced”. Interesting.

But that’s not permanent, is it?

Yes. They could be re-ordained in theory. But I can’t think of seeing that happen.

[JohnH]

So there is no such thing in the Catholic world as getting/being “benched” or “silenced”. Interesting.

But that’s not permanent, is it?

Yes. They could be re-ordained in theory. But I can’t think of seeing that happen.

In our group this happens fairly often. I think I heard 40% of our ministers currently are on the bench and anecdotally it seems to be true.

One good thing about a high bench rate is it means congregations have to be willing to ordain a lot of men. One of our deacons gave us a sermon last year that we should really be open to ordaining lots and lots of deacons - basically every brother who is qualified, until there isn’t any more deacon work left to do.

[Heirbyadoption]

For those who are ordained while not being edifying speakers, there's not much to do except endure them, is there?

THAT can be another very real/relevant challenge, yes... And an uncomfortable but necessary reminder for us not only to pray hard over such situations, but to perhaps speak graciously but frankly into each other's lives about such things. It's also a very good example of the valuable need for discipleship and mentoring of younger brothers when (and even before) they are called to such a thing.

[seinetsodumm]

For those who are ordained while not being edifying speakers, there's not much to do except endure them, is there?

THAT can be another very real/relevant challenge, yes... And an uncomfortable but necessary reminder for us not only to pray hard over such situations, but to perhaps speak graciously but frankly into each other's lives about such things. It's also a very good example of the valuable need for discipleship and mentoring of younger brothers when (and even before) they are called to such a thing.

I wonder if the extensive use of the lot in the Anabaptist is part of the problem. It becomes too easy to throw out a name and "let it up to God."
I agree we need discipleship and mentoring. Yes, this should be happening long before the need for an ordination occurs. Activities like teaching SS, having devotions, having topic, leading a small group can all be helpful to develop skill at public speaking. But even more than that, investing in the lives of others at in personal relationship would be so good.
I would hear more of churches fasting and praying together before choosing leadership.

[mike]

For those who are ordained while not being edifying speakers, there's not much to do except endure them, is there?

THAT can be another very real/relevant challenge, yes... And an uncomfortable but necessary reminder for us not only to pray hard over such situations, but to perhaps speak graciously but frankly into each other's lives about such things. It's also a very good example of the valuable need for discipleship and mentoring of younger brothers when (and even before) they are called to such a thing.

I wonder if the extensive use of the lot in the Anabaptist is part of the problem. It becomes too easy to throw out a name and "let it up to God."
I agree we need discipleship and mentoring. Yes, this should be happening long before the need for an ordination occurs. Activities like teaching SS, having devotions, having topic, leading a small group can all be helpful to develop skill at public speaking. But even more than that, investing in the lives of others at in personal relationship would be so good.
I would hear more of churches fasting and praying together before choosing leadership.

The lot guarantees that somebody will get the position.

[R7ehr]

THAT can be another very real/relevant challenge, yes... And an uncomfortable but necessary reminder for us not only to pray hard over such situations, but to perhaps speak graciously but frankly into each other's lives about such things. It's also a very good example of the valuable need for discipleship and mentoring of younger brothers when (and even before) they are called to such a thing.

I wonder if the extensive use of the lot in the Anabaptist is part of the problem. It becomes too easy to throw out a name and "let it up to God."
I agree we need discipleship and mentoring. Yes, this should be happening long before the need for an ordination occurs. Activities like teaching SS, having devotions, having topic, leading a small group can all be helpful to develop skill at public speaking. But even more than that, investing in the lives of others at in personal relationship would be so good.
I would hear more of churches fasting and praying together before choosing leadership.

The lot guarantees that somebody will get the position.

Not necessarily. Not if there are no nominees who meet the minimum threshold. Recently an ordination in my state was canceled after the names were taken.

[mike]

I wonder if the extensive use of the lot in the Anabaptist is part of the problem. It becomes too easy to throw out a name and "let it up to God."
I agree we need discipleship and mentoring. Yes, this should be happening long before the need for an ordination occurs. Activities like teaching SS, having devotions, having topic, leading a small group can all be helpful to develop skill at public speaking. But even more than that, investing in the lives of others at in personal relationship would be so good.
I would hear more of churches fasting and praying together before choosing leadership.

The lot guarantees that somebody will get the position.

Not necessarily. Not if there are no nominees who meet the minimum threshold. Recently an ordination in my state was canceled after the names were taken.

Sure, obviously there can be cases where no one qualifies, and the ordination can't proceed. That seems pretty rare. Also, there are instances where only one person qualifies, and that happens much more frequently. But I'm talking specifically about when the lot is used, and is set up the way we typically do it. It is guaranteed that someone gets the position, right? Unless a group would decide to include an extra lot in order to let God decide 'none of the above,' which might not be a bad idea.

[JayP]

I do not across the board object to how the lot is used in the Amish and Mennonite settings that I know.
But I am puzzled by what seems to me to be a contradiction.


They have this belief God directs the lot of God choosing the next minister, but only after human mechanisms have selected a small group for God to pick from. IF God is so interested in the next minister at some congregation, why not just put every man over 21 (or whatever the broadest qualifications are) in the lot and let God handle it.


I mean, I have heard a lot of reasons why they cannot do that, but honesty they are not convincing.
Either God is controlling the Lot or he is not.

Hey, I am not criticizing. The Holy Spirit picks the Pope….only after He gets enough votes after several rounds of voting! LOL

[JohnH]

I have had the same objections to the lot. If the lot can be trusted.. why do the presiding bishops tend to "doctor" the lot selection process, such as setting arbitrary thresholds for who gets it (and not even telling anyone)?