When I came on the Council of Elders in 2008 I—along with a few others—thought we would make significant changes. I soon learned change of any sort would be challenging and sometimes carry unintended consequences. Now, after six years of service I am a little bit wiser and realistic in the “ways of the Council.” It has been quite a journey. Along the way I have learned a few things. Let me share what I have learned.

1. You Don’t Change the Council, the Council Changes You

True fact. There are 11 other men who sit with you on the CoE. Each one is an elder of multiple decades experience in preaching, counseling and the spiritual life. Through countless hours of discussion you hear their wisdom and insight. Here is a scenario I have seen often.

You might bring to the table a proposal, your “great idea.” You lay it on the table, and it begins to be analyzed. One member offers to change the wording. Another brings in a point you haven’t considered. Another agrees with the alternate view. Yet another member supports the proposed changes. Before your eyes you watch “your baby” be changed and often improved. On occasion your idea is shown to be not so wise and is rejected by the majority. The process can be humbling.

In time, if you listen with your heart and not just your mind, you can be influenced by their point of view. You might even change your mind. If you listen twice as much as you speak you will alter your preconceived opinions. If you are willing to let go of your ego you will change and become a more effective member of Council. There is wisdom in the counsel of 12 men who yield to the lead of God’s Spirit, as it often works through other personalities. But you must listen. If you do you will often be changed for the better.

“The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]” (Proverbs 1:5, Amplified Bible).

2. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

It’s easy to second guess Council decisions. Sitting like a magpie on a fence observing things from the outside I often and easily voiced my opinion about the way the Council handled the business of the Church. “If I were on the Council,” I often thought, “I would do this or I would do it a different way.” When I was elected to the CoE I quickly learned there is a lot of information that comes to the Council on any given matter. Some information is sensitive and confidential and impacts how you understand an issue. This affects how you cast your ballot. Some information you have cannot, for legal or spiritual reasons, be shared outside of CoE deliberations.

Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.” Understanding how information and decisions are arrived at on the Council has taught me that in all matters it is best to hold your counsel and opinions unless and until you know all the facts. This is good advice for all parts of our life.

3. Make Your Words Few

Everyone has an opinion, and everyone sooner or later likes to express that opinion. I am no exception. When 12 men convene for a CoE meeting everyone has the privilege to express their view on any issue before the Council. The comments and discussion can go quite long, especially when it is a serious issue of consequence to the Church. At times emotions can become very passionate, and words can flow. Everyone sincerely desires to do his best in these deliberations.

I have thought about this and concluded there is a time and a manner to express thoughtful input. I have learned that emotion can cloud logic, and too many words can confuse your audience. Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It’s better to carefully think through a response and keep it short if you wish to convince others of your cause. It also mercifully shortens a meeting. Proverbs 17:28 says,  “Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.”

4. Man Proposes But God Disposes

I don’t know who came up with this quote, but it applies to Council work at critical times. In my years on the CoE I have seen many “plans” take a different direction than anticipated. You can make a proposal or go into a meeting thinking the Council will go one direction on a topic only to see things change and a completely different outcome occur. Over time you realize your prayers are coming to pass before your eyes. You have asked God to guide and direct Council deliberations, and He does. He determines the outcome just as we had asked Him to do it. Often it takes time to see that, indeed, God was involved, and His will was being accomplished.

In the last three years the Council has made a strong effort to include the Word of God in its documents and planning. If you look at the Strategic Plan you will see that our vision statement, mission statement, guiding principles and positioning statements have Scripture citations included to support what is said. Even the language is taken directly from Scripture in direct wording or paraphrase. In writing these documents we were careful to base our aspirations on God’s instruction. Proverbs tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

If we have not taken counsel of God in our work it will come to nothing. I have learned, and I believe, God does guide us to the right decisions at His timing and not ours. It’s sobering to see this. We seek to please Him and serve as faithful stewards and servants in His gracious hands.

My six years of service on the Council of Elders has been both challenging and rewarding. Taken together it has been the most significant growth experience of all my years in the ministry. I am glad I made the journey.