LEADERSHIP AFTER THE ELECTION
Let Brotherly Love Continue
(Hebrews 13:1)
By Dr. Sam Maxwell
Art Hallet, President of Hallet (Prison) Ministries, was once asked, “What is the task of a leader?” He answered emphatically, “The task of a leader is to lead.” The candidates for the office of President of the Progressive M & E have demonstrated their understanding of this task by leading their individual support groups in brotherly love over the past year. Beginning with the organizational meeting of the Election Commission in
However, these four caucuses are determined to let brotherly love continue. Candidates and campaign committee members have never cease to interact as brethren with varying opinions on which man should be the next president of PM & E. You can occasionally hear one camp “jokingly” offering positions to another camp in order to consolidate the strengths of both platforms. However, when the laughing has ended it is clear that there are still four candidates, and brotherly love will continue. There seems to be a general consensus among each group that only one man will be elected president of the convention, however one convention will leave Daytona Beach, Florida with plans to convene in July with the State Congress and Youth & Children Convention. Sister Bentley adds: “as careful as we are to keep in check our ambitions, drives for promotional gains, and the exposure we experience as we climb to the height of our expectancy, conflict, and tension, can change our direction. When these crises arise, the maturity of church and convention leaders is put to a test.” (Emphasis mine)
The disciples of Jesus found it difficult to keep their ambitions in check, as well as, to counteract the natural human tendency to disagree with disagreeable attitudes. In The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, J. Dwight Pentecost writes (pages 265-65),
A disagreement arose among them as to which one of them should have the preeminent position in the kingdom that they expected Christ to establish. ‘They had argued about who was the greatest’ (Mark 9:34.)’ The lesson Christ wanted them to learn from this incident was succinctly stated by Mark: ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all (9:35).’ Positions in the kingdom will be determined by the degree of submission to Christ and the service of the disciple for Christ.
Just prior to His prayer for a spirit of unity among His followers Jesus demonstrated the servants attitude by washing by the disciples feet (John 13:1 – 15). Pentecost continues, “What Christ had done was to put Himself in a Servant’s place. Then as a Servant He had ministered to those whom He served. They were to follow this example. They were to become servants of others. They were not to be motivated by selfish love but by selfless love. Christ was demanding new attitudes, not new actions.”
Bentley continues: “H. E. Dana suggests three reasons why Christian unity must be sought: One, tragic consequences have resulted form dissensions and divisions within the Christian body; two, the Christian message will be more effective throughout the world when presented by a unified force; and three, unity is clearly the revealed ideal of the founder of our religion.” The Founder of our Faith was more concerned for the unity of a community of believers rather His own personal comfort or safety. In the shadow of
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. …And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
…I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (Emphasis mine)
Jesus’ prayer to the father resulted in a Spirit of unity among the saints and the effective communication of the Gospel of the God’s grace throughout the world. The Master indicated that the message is most effective from a community of believers that have the respect of the world. In Ephesians 4:1 – 3 the apostle Paul encourages the Church to “. . . walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
This author believes that brotherly love will continue after the election as it has during the period preceding March 2006. Each candidate has indicated that their desire to lead PM & E is rooted in the fundamental reasons for which Progressive M & E was organized. Bentley writes (pg. 30, 32): “The first annual session of the Progressive Baptist State Convention was held in March, 1914 . . . Bartow. The newly formed organization based it purposes upon the urgency to respond to some of the unmet needs of district associations and local churches outside the fellowship of a convention. The stalwart fighters felt empowered to carry out the mission of the church.” After nearly 100 years of rich history and seven state presidents the purpose and commitment is this convention unchanged. Furthermore, evening after several very spirited election seasons at both the state and national level, Progressive M & E is untouched by the schism syndrome.
The pastors and ministry leaders of the Progressive Missionary and Educational State Baptist Convention of Florida will let brotherly love continue beyond this election. The commitment to live and act in a way that is worthy of our call to salvation will not be diminished by a once in four years event. A spirit of humility and gentleness will enable us to be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of our love for our Lord. Each candidate and their supporters are determined to be led away from