My stake president recently received an honorable release after serving for nine and a half years. The stake was formed in August 1992 and he has been the first and only stake president. Now another brother received a call from the Lord to serve in this capacity. This process was fascinating to watch, and has prompted Brother Cahoon to start writing a series of articles on effective church leadership.
When Elder Gary Stewart, an Area Authority Seventy, announced the name of the new stake president, there were many audible “who is that?” comments throughout the congregation. Few in the congregation knew who the new stake president was, but the one person who did know him inspired Elder Stewart and Elder William R. Bradford, of the seventy, to extend a call to serve. Elder Bradford shared his comments about the process of selecting a new stake president. He arrived in town Saturday morning and proceeded to interview the priesthood leadership of the stake, which consisted of the bishops of the nine wards, the members of the high council, members of the stake presidency, and other stake leaders. The new stake president wasn’t one of the brethren he interviewed initially, but based upon recommendations from those he did interview, and the inspiration of the Spirit, he called our new stake president to come in for an interview.
Elder Bradford told us that when the new stake president walked into the room, Elder Bradford not only knew he was the one the Lord wanted to be the new stake president, but the brother that is our new stake president also knew he was supposed to be the new stake president. Elder Bradford also shared with the congregation that as he interviewed the stake leaders, he had impressions on who should be the new counselors, and the new stake president chose exactly who Elder Bradford thought he would choose.
We have a number of very capable brethren in our stake, all of which could have been called into these callings. Why these men? The Lord, who knows the end from the beginning, knows the needs of the members of my stake, and knows that these brethren must have certain talents and abilities that He wants them to share with stake members at this point in time. The new stake president, during his comments, suggested a “theme” for the stake, and it is that no matter how great this stake is right now, it can be better, and it can be better in the things that matter most, increased spirituality in the lives of the stake members, which will affect the neighborhoods and communities that we live in for good. He said that it doesn’t matter where we are on the gospel road to heaven, what matters is that we are moving forward, making significant spiritual progress each and every day.
One of the wives of a counselor who was released made probably the most profound comment during the entire meeting: “Our service in behalf of others will bring joy into our lives.” That will be my theme running throughout this series of articles on effective Church leadership. As we serve others, we will increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man, and we will find true joy. This joy comes only because we are not thinking about ourselves, but because we are focusing on the needs of others. Christ must have felt this joy often during his ministry because He was totally focused on doing the will of His Father in Heaven.
These newly called brethren will have the opportunity to serve and bless the lives of others, just as we do in our various responsibilities, whether it is a stake president or a nursery leader. And we can feel the same joy as we serve just as these brethren will feel. It is in meeting the needs of others that our own needs, wants, and desires can be fulfilled.
Larry Beck
Posted by John in Feature Articles