Our church is getting ready to elect officers in a few months. What kind of people should we look for? I'm on the nominating committee, but we're a new congregation and we don't have much experience with these things. — Mrs. K.K.

Churches govern themselves in various ways, and as a first step you and your committee will want to find out as much as you can about your denomination's standards, or whatever other pattern of government your church follows. Your pastor can help you here.

But I also urge you to take two other important steps as your committee begins its work. First, study the Bible to see what it says about the responsibilities of church leadership, and what kind of people God wants to be officers in the Church. I think, for example, of the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Nehemiah was clearly an able and practical leader—but he also was a man of prayer and of great faith.

I think also of Paul's advice to his pastor friend Titus: "Since an overseer (church leader) is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless ... one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined" (Titus 1:7-8). The first requirement of any church officer should be a godly character.

Then, I urge your committee to pray and seek God's will for your church's leadership. Urge your congregation to pray also. God knows the kind of leadership your church needs, and He also knows who can best fill these responsibilities. Make it your goal to seek His will in this matter—for His will is always best.