Recruiting Elders: Why Won’t They Stand?

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“Sorry, I don’t think I can do it.” It’s as regular as spring showers—and, for many councils, as frustrating as seasonal allergies. This is the time of year that churches begin looking for new elders and deacons. Names are put forward. Phone calls are made. And then come those familiar words: “Sorry, no thanks.” The reasons vary. “I’m too busy.” “I served once before and it was not a good experience.” “I can’t handle the stress.” But the result is the same.

Why do so many capable members take a pass when they are invited to let their names stand to serve? And more importantly, what can we do about it? This is not an exhaustive list, but I offer the following ideas.

Start Early

Recruitment should be a year-round endeavour. We should always be thinking of who we’d like to see stand in the coming years, and we should be seeking to develop in others an openness to serve.

A Culture of Calling

How current office-bearers talk about their experience matters. If those in council are constantly saying “I’m so glad my term’s almost over” or “I’m counting down the days ’til I’m out,” that creates the impression that serving in these roles is a burden instead of an honor. It’s OK to be honest about the challenges faced and fatigue felt near the end of a term and OK to admit we’re ready for a break, but it’s also important to testify to the positive moments and the honor of serving our Lord in this way.

Name Gifts, Not Just ‘Need’

Focus on the gifts you see in a candidate that makes you want to see them stand, not just on the need. If you saw someone interact well in a Bible study, and that made you want to see them as an elder, tell them that. If someone was a blessing to your son or daughter as a youth leader and you’d like to see them use those gifts as a youth elder, tell them. If you see compassion for hurting or struggling people in someone that makes you want to see them serve as a deacon, tell them.

Listen Well and Address Barriers

If people are resistant to serving, take the time to listen to their concerns and find out why. Can anything be done to ease those concerns? For example: If somebody has a job that means they’ll miss many evening meetings but has availability to make visits and connections during the day, can council accept that? If somebody is willing to serve as an elder but is terribly uncomfortable in hospitals and isn’t sure they can make hospital visits, are the other elders willing to cover him in that area? If someone has a great fear of public speaking and feels unable to lead prayers or make announcements in front of the congregation, does that disqualify them from serving? If somebody has an incredibly early start to their days and needs to be in bed by 9 p.m. to function the following morning, will council give them permission to leave meetings at 8:30?

Trust

Finally, trust that God is moving.

Sometimes the council is wise to accept that a “no” is just a “no.” Not everybody is called to serve in these roles, and there needs to be an inner as well as an outer calling. Guilting or pressuring someone into a role they’re hesitant about does not serve us well.

Ultimately, this is not about getting a full slate or quorum or keeping folks busy. This is about discerning how Christ is building up his church and about recognizing his own faithfulness in giving each person a gift for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7.)

Let’s frame the process so that when the phone rings, our people are more likely to hear a possible call from the Lord and not a burden to be avoided.