Immanuel Bulletin Series:
On April 3rd, Immanuel will be issuing a call to fill the ILHS faculty position left vacant by Mr. Sydow’s resignation. Today and for the next two weeks, we will go to God’s Word and be reminded of what He says about the Divine Call.
In Old Testament times, God chose and appointed the leaders of His people directly. God Himself called Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1ff). God Himself appeared to Gideon while he was threshing grain and called him to be a judge in Israel (Judges 6:11ff). God Himself spoke to Samuel, calling him to be judge and prophet (1 Samuel 3:1ff). God Himself told Samuel whom to anoint when Israel asked for a king (1 Samuel 9:1ff).
As the church grew in the days following Jesus’ ascension there was a need to call spiritual leaders in the Christian congregations. The calls were done through the congregations, but not without the direction of God. The Antioch congregation sent Saul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but were directed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1ff). Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every city on Crete (Titus 1:5), but certainly not without the Spirit’s direction. Paul told to the Ephesian elders who truly chose them when he said, “…take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Ephesians 20:28).
There is even an example of a call meeting recorded in the New Testament. It is a model which our congregations still follow. There was a need to fill the apostleship left vacant by Judas. The assembly of Christians first identified the qualifications for the office—someone who had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry (Acts 2:21). From among those who fit the qualifications, a call list of two men was made—Joseph and Matthias (Acts 2:23). After creating the call list, the congregation prayed to the Lord for His guidance (Acts 2:24-25) and then they cast lots (Acts 2:26). The lot fell to Matthias and he was called as the new apostle (Acts 2:27).
Immanuel’s Board of Education has identified the qualifications for the call under consideration. During the next two weeks, the Board will formulate a call list and present it to the congregation. We will pray for the Lord’s guidance and blessing. Then, rather than casting lots, the voters will vote and the call will be made.
This week: Pray for the Board of Education and their work in preparing the call list. Pray that the candidate of the Lord’s choosing will be discovered; and looking ahead, pray that the Lord will guide the calling process and lead us to the servant whom He has already chosen.