Favoritism and Church Morale

[elijah23]

It seems to me that it is important for church leaders to strive to maintain high morale in their churches. (I fear too many are only concerned with their own morale.)

I think one of the quickest ways to destroy the morale of the local church is to show favoritism when naming its leaders.

What do you think?

 

[Igor]

If you are talking about leaders such as pastors, deacons, elders, directors, teachers, etc, it seems the very act of "naming" a leader shows that person is the "favorite" for that position. Even if there is no official vote or other way of officially "naming" a leader, the fact that a person is accepted into the position shows he is the favorite. I don't see a problem with this.

How would you recommend leaders be put into position without showing some sort of favoritism?

Of course, if you're talking about leaders being named only because they are popular for some reason other than their ability to perform the job they are being named for (like, maybe because they donate a lot of money to the church, etc), then I see a problem.

 

[Pizzaguy]

In my small Baptist church, we nominate and then elect leaders.

No room for favoritism. Everyone gets one vote and our favorite gets elected.







Favorite? Hmmmm.

 

[elijah23]

If you are talking about leaders such as pastors, deacons, elders, directors, teachers, etc, it seems the very act of "naming" a leader shows that person is the "favorite" for that position. Even if there is no official vote or other way of officially "naming" a leader, the fact that a person is accepted into the position shows he is the favorite. I don't see a problem with this.

How would you recommend leaders be put into position without showing some sort of favoritism?

Of course, if you're talking about leaders being named only because they are popular for some reason other than their ability to perform the job they are being named for (like, maybe because they donate a lot of money to the church, etc), then I see a problem.

When people are appointed to positions because of their merit, that is good.

When people are appointed to positions for some other reason, that is not good.

 

[WIP]

In our congregation there are only three apointed positions. The council chair appoints up to three persons to serve on a nominating committee along with two person that are voted into the position. All other positions are elected.

Unfortunately, our congregation is small so the problem isn't about favoritism, it's about filling positions.

 

[elijah23]

In my small Baptist church, we nominate and then elect leaders.

No room for favoritism. Everyone gets one vote and our favorite gets elected.







Favorite? Hmmmm.

There is potential for favoritism even in a church where its leaders are elected democratically. What if a democratically elected music director doesn’t like one of the church’s singers and therefore won’t let him join the choir, falsely claiming the singer isn’t good enough?

 

[Pizzaguy]

In my church anyone who wants to join is accepted.

Maybe my church is unique, but I don't think so.

 

[elijah23]

In my church anyone who wants to join is accepted.

Maybe my church is unique, but I don't think so.

Your church sounds like a good church. I was just trying to point out that there is the potential for bad things to happen in any church, I believe—we need to be aware. I like my church also.

 

[Pizzaguy]

I think things like your singer example are more likely to happen in a mega church (or at least a large church - say over 300 people).

I do not deny, now that I think about it, your point.

 

[WIP]

There is potential for favoritism even in a church where its leaders are elected democratically. What if a democratically elected music director doesn’t like one of the church’s singers and therefore won’t let him join the choir, falsely claiming the singer isn’t good enough?

I don't quite understand this situation you describe. How does a human judge what quality is pleasing to God? Who knows? Maybe what we hear as pleasant music turns God's stomach inside out. After all, ever smell burning flesh? To us it is not pleasant but to God.....

A "Christian" denomination has no place judging whether someone has bad tone or not. We should all be singing praises and let God decide for himself what is pleasing.

Like Pizzaguy, our congregation does not discriminate for choir members. You want to join and sing with us? You are more than welcome.

 

[elijah23]

I don't quite understand this situation you describe. How does a human judge what quality is pleasing to God? Who knows? Maybe what we hear as pleasant music turns God's stomach inside out. After all, ever smell burning flesh? To us it is not pleasant but to God.....

A "Christian" denomination has no place judging whether someone has bad tone or not. We should all be singing praises and let God decide for himself what is pleasing.

Like Pizzaguy, our congregation does not discriminate for choir members. You want to join and sing with us? You are more than welcome.

There are no perfect people. We are all capable of sin. I am capable of showing favoritism just like anyone else. It’s just that I must try not to do that. The same is true with our elected church leaders.

 

[Bonairos]

I suppose your definition of "favoritism" would be needed for me to respond effectively.

Some would say having a kindred spirit with another might breed the perception of favortism(?). Others might say it's loyalty in a relationship. Still others might argue the willingness and ability to co-labor would do the trick.

Favoritism?

BTW - Does God have any favorites?

Be blessed, Stay blessed!