Today, I have the important task of making the Book of Order exciting and relevant. Wait a minute. The important task? That doesn’t sound right. Let’s check that. Important task? Let me see here. Oh, here it is. Impossible task. I have the impossible task of making the Book of Order exciting and relevant.

Ok, I kid a bit. It might be a stretch to call the Book of Order exciting. But when it comes to good government, the Book of Order is very relevant. In the Presbyterian Church (USA) it is a part of our constitution that guides us in the governing of our church. The Book of Order is our bill of rights, our declaration of independence, our rule of law for establishing good government. In the Book of Order you will find such topics as "The Great Ends of the Church," "The Historic Principles of Church Government," "The Church and Its Mission," guidelines for the structure of government for the local church, for presbyteries, synods and the general assembly. Those "Historic Principles" and "Great Ends of the Church" are worth reading. The guidelines for government structure are essential towards putting good government into place.

In the Book of Order one would also find information on membership in the church. The "Nine Marks of Active Membership" which we’ve been referring to throughout this "You’re Invited" series is found in the Book of Order. And, on this day when we meet after worship to elect our new class of elders and deacons, the mark of membership we’re inviting you to consider is this, Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church. An active member participates in the governing responsibilities of the church. That doesn’t mean that in order to be an active member one must become an elder or a deacon. It might mean that for some members, but it doesn’t mean the only way to active membership is serving as an elder or deacon. It means that active members take the government of their church seriously. Active members stay after worship for the congregational meeting to vote on their officers. The Broncos don’t play until tomorrow night, so where do you need to go anyway? But participating in the governing responsibilities of the church means paying attention to the process of electing officers; more than that, it means participating in the process by electing your officers; more than that, paying attention throughout the year to the work of your session or deacons. And, more than that, participating in the governing responsibilities of the church also means paying attention to what’s happening at presbytery, and synod, and general assembly with the possibility of serving at those levels of government. All of that is what’s involved in "participating in the governing responsibilities of the church."

But here’s the thing about government, particularly in a governing system like we have in our church as well as our country. The quality of that government is only as good as the quality of the people’s involvement in it. The Founding Fathers knew this. Thomas Jefferson said, "I know of no safe repository of the ultimate power of society but people. And if we think them not enlightened enough, the remedy is not to take the power from them, but to inform them by education." 175 years later, Franklin Roosevelt would concur, saying, "The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government." And Edward R. Murrow, the legendary CBS reporter who observed firsthand the devastating results in World War II of governments run amok said, "A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." The quality of government we have will depend upon the quality of our involvement in it.

That is the cornerstone of the representative government we enjoy both in our country and in our church. Actually, it began in the church, our Founding Father John Calvin’s great experiment in 16^th century Geneva, Switzerland of a governing structure that took the power out of the control of one person and placed it in the hands of the people. Rather than a Pope, or even a Bishop locally, Calvin put in place a government with shared leadership between clergy and a representative group from the congregation called "elders." Or, using the Greek word for elders, presbuteros. Yes, where the word Presbyterian comes from. I’m teaching an Inquirers’ Class after our congregational meeting and if those planning to attend the class are listening carefully we won’t have to spend much time on this. Calvin’s vision for a representative form of government became the model for the government envisioned by our country’s Founding Fathers. What we know as the Revolutionary War was referred to by some in England as the "Presbyterian revolt" because of this model. I take some delight in that as a Presbyterian pastor and a lover of history! It is government, as Lincoln so eloquently and profoundly stated in his speech at Gettysburg, "of the people, by the people, for the people." And, because of what it represents and what is at stake, both in the country and in the church, it is government worthy of our commitment.

As I mentioned earlier, I love history. A particular area of interest is the Civil War. I loved Ken Burns’ wonderful documentary on the Civil War. I’ve read Shelby Foote’s trilogy narrative on the Civil War and the works of both Michael and Jeff Shaara, authors, respectively of The Killer Angels and Gods and Generals. I just finished this book, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It is the story of Abraham Lincoln’s administration, specifically his cabinet, this "team of rivals" brought together by Lincoln to oversee the conduct of this horrific war during a critical time in our country’s history. As I read of the many challenges they faced, I was struck by this question. Why did the North continue to fight this war? Why not just let the disgruntled southern states go? Was it really worth the horrendous loss of life experienced by both sides? The answer for the North, of course, was that it was worth it because the principles our nation was founded on were worth preserving…as many others have demonstrated as well. Also, the Civil War was given its "cause" in the Emancipation Proclamation. The commitment for the North became motivated by much more than keeping rebellious southerners in the Union. It became a motivation to rid the country of the scourge of slavery. In the midst of challenges brought about by incompetent generals, stunning defeats, horrific casualties, and relentless criticism, Lincoln, his cabinet, and eventually the country remained committed to the cause because it was worth it.

In the same way, Paul reminds Titus, and us, that the cause we are in is worth our commitment to good government. That cause is, of course, the proclamation of the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ. Listen again to these words of Paul to Titus, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior." That is life-changing good news! It is good news worth taking a stand for. It is the "cause" behind our work as a church. And it is the "cause" behind our need for good leadership and good government in the church.

So today, on this day when we meet as a congregation to elect our new class of leaders, let us take seriously these words from Paul to Titus. First of all, to our leaders, the call to the people to be subject to rulers and authorities does not come in a vacuum. The call to the people to be subject to rulers and authorities is not your cover for careless or selfish mistakes you might make as a leader. It’s not sufficient to say, "Well, Scripture says you’re to be subject to my decisions so you have to do what I say!" Because Scripture has much, much more to say to leaders about the proper use of their authority. Leaders are to use their authority in service to the people they represent. The call to do good, voiced twice in this passage, is for the leaders as well as for the people. In serving Christ, the goal for leaders and the people they serve is to bring about good. After those great words about the transforming power of God’s salvation poured out upon us in Jesus Christ, Paul adds these words, "And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

So let us commit this day to striving together to do good for the benefit of everyone. Let us all commit this day to "participating in the governing responsibilities of the church." For those being represented by the leaders we elect today, pay attention to who your leaders are. Pray for them. Encourage them. Pay attention to issues that arise in the church…and in the world. Let them know your thoughts and ideas about issues that are near and dear to your heart. We regularly print in the bulletin and in the newsletter who your leaders are. Be aware of them, pray for them and inform them as to how you’re doing in the life of our church. The quality of our government will relate directly to the quality of your involvement in it.

And to the leaders we elect today, pray daily about your role in serving Christ and his church. Study the manner of Christ in his leadership and pray for his help in following him. Pay attention to the people you serve. Seek them out on important issues in the church…and in the world. Find out how they’re doing in the life of the church. And recognize that your responding to Christ’s call to serve as a leader in this church is just the beginning. Agreeing to serve does not fulfill your calling to "participate in the governing responsibilities of the church." How you participate will have much more to say about your fulfilling that call.

The cause for which we exist is the most exciting thing in the world. It transforms people from foolishness and disobedience, from deceit and enslavement to destructive passions to people who do good in the world. Our governing structure is designed to help us do that. Let’s commit to participating together in the governing responsibilities of the church. That can be a very exciting place to be. Hmmm, perhaps the Book of Order is more exciting and relevant than we think!

Let’s take a moment of silent reflection to consider our role in doing the work of the church for Christ in the world through participation in the governing responsibilities of the church.