The Southside Eldership and Allan Balch
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Categories: Church, Commitment, Elders
This article was published in our local church bulletin to acknowledge our appreciation for the years of service given to the Lord and the congregation by Allan Balch in our Eldership. Allan resigned recently due to his declining health.
This congregation of the Lord’s people had its beginnings about forty years ago. For the first thirty-five years or so of its existence, it never had Elders. Southside first appointed Elders in 2000. There were two: Allan Balch and Mike Terry. There have been (and continue to be) many men who have had great and positive impact on this collectivity of saints who were never appointed as Bishops here. But the church finally reached a point of maturity that allowed it to be scripturally organized in 2000. There had been “good” years and “bad” years previously, but these two men stepped up and fulfilled the need for leadership that allowed growth to continue from the time that they were appointed to the present. Other Shepherds were later added– Joe Buck Strong (in 2002 or 2003, I forget), and most recently, Eddie Arrington and myself a couple of weeks ago. All have and will continue to make positive contributions to the work here at Southside, and the Lord’s Cause overall.
But from the beginning of our Eldership, Allan and Mike understood and stressed that the office was one that, although certainly had honor associated with it (1Thess.5:12-13), was nonetheless characterized by responsibility and work (Heb.13:17; 1Pet.5:2-3). Since Allan was diagnosed with cancer, he has talked about stepping down from the Eldership due to his own perceived limitations with regard to “the work” of an Elder. Others and I have encouraged him to stay on in the Eldership for the last year or so numerous times– mostly for selfish reasons. We wanted the benefits of Allan’s knowledge, wisdom, and judgment for the congregation despite whatever physical limitations that might exist. Simply put: Allan at times might not be able to recall some detail such as a person’s name, but he could still think, reason, and judge from the scriptures and wisely apply them in the appropriate way. We all desired to continue to receive the rich benefits of his abilities. But Allan, together with Barbara, has finally insisted that we accept his resignation from the office of the Eldership of Southside. And we do so, “yes” with sadness, but much more with appreciation for a job extremely “well done”!
An Eldership, any working Eldership, is a collaboration of the various talents and peculiar abilities each man brings to the job. This in no way diminishes the “qualifications” of any, but simply recognizes the unique talents of each man. Mike Terry has certainly brought much to the table of work for Southside– but most of Bro. Terry’s work is quietly done “behind the scenes.” Such is in keeping with his nature of never shirking a duty or responsibility, but conscientiously fulfilling each in his own quiet and unassuming way. Allan’s talents and abilities complimented this in such a wonderful way! Allan, due to his optimistic and outgoing personality, became somewhat the “face” of Southside. He made most of the public announcements for the Eldership (even after Joe Buck was appointed) because of his eloquence, public speaking abilities, and the clear and kind way he was able to articulate the decisions and directives to the congregation– and we depended on him to do so. These abilities we will sorely miss in the Eldership and in the congregation as a whole, but certainly respect his decision to step down. Allan’s concern with remaining an Elder has always been that he did not stay in a job he was unable to perform– for any reason. This is in complete harmony with his supreme commitment and the conscientious way he perceived his role. It has always been the way he “set his hand to the plow” and it’s part of why we love and appreciate him so much. He has discussed with me many times how important it was/is for Elders to be “workers” and “leaders who lead by example” rather than just honorary figureheads. He leaves the Southside Eldership with that great legacy and example.
Early on in his tenure as one of our Elders, Allan expressed to me the concern he had regarding his serving in this capacity. Though eminently qualified, his ever-present and ever apparent sincere humility caused him to say, “Philip, I have never even really been in a congregation that had Elders, let alone been one!” That fact notwithstanding, Allan Balch became and was one of, if not the, finest Elder(s) with whom I have ever worked. I just wanted to express publicly, and personally, my appreciation for Allan’s dedication and service to the Cause of Christ at this place. I have indeed learned much from him in the past, and look forward to continuing to learn from him in the future. I, and our other Elders, will endeavor to continue to serve you and Christ after his fine example of leadership. Paul commanded the Thessalonians concerning their Elders to “esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” Allan Balch made that admonition one of the easiest to obey.