JJ24 #08: The Value of Counsel

It was not unusual that they were men in suits.

Suits were the dress code for men in that gathering. What marked them out, though, was that these select men would pick up their briefcases and file through to another room in the building at a given time during the singing. Then, after a while, they would file out and take their places in the key seats on the rostrum or beside the main place for speaking. We all knew that these were the main guys. These were the men with the titles. They were the organisation's made men and oversaw what would happen in these grand events.

I loved watching that growing up. It was a sign of what it was to achieve as a man. I felt such a thrill whenever my Dad was among those men who strolled into that other room and then could take a place among those made men. He was a deacon, so he had a title, but it was not all the time he got to make that stroll with his briefcase. True story. I thought it was important that I wanted to receive his briefcase whenever he purchased another one. And my Dad did not replace his briefcases often. There was one precious occasion when he changed his briefcase, which meant his old one was available. I thought I was in with a chance of getting it. But alas, she ended up with it because of my sister's seniority. I was sad. By the time I received the next briefcase, things had changed.

For now, I had seen something different. My admiration had dimmed for those men in suits going into the other room and sitting at the top tier (and they also had a special table to eat meals together, with them prioritising being served first). I think the idea behind these elite men among men was not misplaced. It is just that in as much as it was present in oratory, it was not present elsewhere, like in making disciples who would make disciples of Jesus Christ. It was great as a position for respect and honour. It was not remarkable for cultivating relationships and a community that encouraged each member to contribute to the development of the Body of Christ.

Over the years, the organisation's nature has moved away from that style of meeting. Men still wore suits, but there was less of a deal about all the titled folks being sat together or even having the advantage of being fed first. There were changes to appreciate the contribution that others could make, and there was less of a sense of making others look big at the expense of others.

What was missed with that, as well, though, was the benefit of the council of elders, which is a pity. It is a pity because I am a big believer in the value of counsel. The concept of elders is not primarily about titles; it is more about exemplary people who live by example and can be referred to as helping others pursue the exemplary life. This goes into that desire to observe disciples who make disciples. Disciple-making is about that exemplary life - not the perfect life, not the flawless life - but one who can have their lives held to the standard of being like Jesus and can be seen to be expressing that character and that passion for the glory of God. Having a group of those people display the servant lifestyle and exercise the wisdom of God in their lives, and those they care for are the kind of people who should be available to offer their counsel in being like Christ.

They do not have to wear suits or carry briefcases, but their value can never be overrated. From the first time I took Jesus seriously to the time I typed these words, I am very aware of the influence those kinds of individuals have had on my life. In all areas of my life. Those individuals have given me great insight and helped me see that following Jesus has to go beyond the surface. They lived by example and gave great counsel to me to understand more of how being like Jesus necessarily calls for challenges to my attitudes, my flaws and what it is to be in Christ, to live by His grace and to rest in Him to be fruitful for Him. These individuals inspire me to love Jesus and love others. The value of their counsel cannot be measured. What they leave in me is that desire that others would be likewise blessed with a council of elders, not necessarily noted for their briefcases but for their commitment to the long walk.