We DO NOT VOTE for the pastor that will be responsible for the sheep fold/congregation. We are asked to PRAY & FAST; seek after GOD'S RE WILL. Ask God to lead and direct the ministry to make the right decision.
My dad was a Methodist preacher for fifteen years full time and he preaches about once a month around the state now when preachers go on vacation. Many times when I came out here on vacation he had a funeral to do. One thing that seemed to happen is that people tended to die right after holidays like Christmas so he never scheduled his vacation for that time and I learned to stop taking vacation at that time to visit them.
The Amish are mostly gentle community minded and generous. Like all communities, some do want and like power over others. Certainly not all desire this as most men who are called hope and pray that they won't have to serve as a Deacon or Bishop. It is a lifetime, unpaid role that carries a lot of responsibilities. If chosen, they serve well for the good of the community. But some actually desire the job as it carries lots of power over the community. Just as happens in the rest of the world.
The Brethern church I grew up in had a similar way of choosing a new minister. I'm not sure if absolutely everyone had a nomination but I think the final decision was similar also. I haven't been to that church in fifty some years. I don't even know how "plain" they are now. But it was a very big congregation.
Having grown up in the Mennonite church, I remember when as a teenager, our Deccan was selected by lot. It seems the pastor was assigned by the conference, but I do remember the selection of deacon by lot. And for many years the pastor wasn’t paid.
It's like marriage, it's not something to be entered into lightly. The Ministry opens one to manipulation and a wise wife and a good network helps to communicate and spot patterns.
No formal training for any of the leadership. Verbal instruction as to what the role involves and what is expected is given by the ministers and bishop.
I'm curious if Amish men or women shake hands with people of the opposite gender. Orthodox Jews (my community) and Muslims generally don't. Some secular people get very offended by this.
Can somebody turn it down and also if the person is chosen to be a minister are they administer for life I cannot position be removed from them blessings to you and yours
