Fine, you say, that was the Old Testament. So it’s not safe to assume we should use lots either.Ģ. We no longer use Urim and Thummim drawn from Aaron’s breastpiece to make decisions. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a completed Canon God guided his old covenant people in various ways. We must be cautious in making Old Testament patterns of decision making our methods. 16:33).Īnd yet, I want to answer the question of this post with an emphatic “no.” Churches should not select their elders by casting lots. After all, “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Prov. So there seems to be good wisdom in choosing our leaders by lots. Most famously, Matthias was chosen by the casting of lots to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle (Acts 1:26). 10) and Jonah went overboard in the same way (Jon. Saul was chosen to be king by lot (1 Sam. The Holy Land was parceled out by sacred lots (Josh. It’s not hard to find biblical examples of decision-making by lots. In an effort to avoid a popularity contest and the hurt feelings that can result from winners and losers in a double slate, churches are deciding to choose their officers by pulling names out of hat. Usually this involves a double slate being chosen by some combination of the church leaders and a nominating committee and then a final selection by a “random” draw. In fact, I’ve been a part of two congregations that voted to change their election process to incorporate lots. It is not uncommon to hear of churches that select their elders and deacons by casting lots.
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