Church Board Meeting

“this is the tenth ballot. If we cannot reach a decision on this ballot, we will have to adjourn and bring it up next board meeting. It’s after one already.” The board chairman sounded as weary as he looked. He handed the pieces of paper down each side of the table. Each took one and almost immediately wrote on it, folded it and passed it back up the chain. The chairman opened each, read the results and marked a tally sheet. “Split again, five to five.” He sighed. “I know this decision is critical to our congregation,” he said. “Keeping or dismissing a pastor is not a light issue. It will effect us for years to come. Some of us have known Bob for many years and have learned to love and trust him. Some of you are new to the board and a few even to our congregation.” “That is exactly the point,” said one of the younger members. “If we don’t have a change in leadership we’re going to lose the younger crowd. We need a young pastor to lead us.” The arguing started over again, divided along age lines, music and worship style were the predominant themes. The chairman broke into the heat of the discussion. “May I have a motion to adjourn?” he asked. “So moved,” said one. A week later, as the board members filed in, they saw Bob sitting at the foot of the table. “As you see, I’ve invited Bob here to the meeting. I’ve asked him to give a brief worship before we begin our discussion tonight. He will leave after that and so will not break the board rule against his presence when discussing his employment. Bob, the time is yours.” Though all had heard him speak many times from the pulpit, none remembered a more gracious presentation. He did not talk of his employment, music or worship style. His last words were, “If you elect to have me stay, I do so gladly; if you ask me to leave, I do so gladly. In both cases, you are expressing the will of God in my life and I desire that above all things.” He prayed a brief prayer and left. There was silence in the room. Finally the chairman said, “Let’s take a vote.” Ballots were passed gathered and counted. “it is unanimous,” he said; “We’re keeping Bob.” Some have objected to Universal Reconciliation, stating that it destroys free will. The argument is that, if God exerts His power or even exhibits His love in such measure that all are convinced against their will, then free will is violated. The fictional board meeting is my answer to this. Should all be convinced that something is right doesn’t mean that their right to vote as they please has been violated. It means only that something bbhas happened to change their mind. Their freedom of choice is still in operation; they are not being forced. They just choose to align themselves with a position which they previously opposed. When exposed to the naked love of God; when all questions are answered; when all actions are seen for what they truly are; when all wrongs are righted; when we know as we are known, will we not freely and joyously surrender to Him who loves us beyond death? When we say, “love conquers all,” are we not saying that, exposed to infinite love, will we not joyously agree that we are wrong and He is right?