Years ago, I believe in the 1980's, there was a series of articles related to elders and MS. They outlined the requirements of the position and the qualities needed to achieve the "privilege." I remember, as an elder, that these articles came in real handy when there was someone that a particular brother had a hard time recommending. We would simply say...."how does he not fulfill the "explanation" given in the article?" As the PO then, I would hand out a copy of the article to everyone on the elder body BEFORE the elder meeting BEFORE the CO visit. Funny thing, even when we would make sure that the articles point were coverered with regard to any appointment, the CO would inevitably find something....It got to the point where I finallystarted asking the bros who they thought qualified and waited until the CO sat down to see who HE WANTED TO APPOINT.
You know, I guess the new arrangement isn't all that new now is it?