On My Mind...
According to the New Testament there are two offices in the local church. They are pastor and deacon. Both of these are found in 1 Timothy chapter 3 as the apostle Paul outlines for young Timothy some procedures for establishing the church. Over the years we have added various offices and ministries to the church that are necessary and vital to the life and well-being of the church but the only offices appearing in the New Testament are pastor and deacon. Therefore, the office of deacon is vitally important to the life and work of any local church.
From time to time, we find it necessary to add men to our fellowship of deacons. We are at that point once again. Beginning this week you will find in Sunday’s worship folder an insert. This week, we will outline the procedure we will be following. On the 27th, the insert will lay out the qualifications of deacons from Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3. Then on Sunday, October 4, you will find the deacon nomination form. You will be given the opportunity to nominate individuals you feel meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture. I cannot stress enough, this is not a popularity contest, this is a spiritual act in which we seek to discern those the Lord has set apart for service to this body. Rightly understood, this is not about our appointing but our recognition of the Lord’s appointing men to service. Not every man is called to serve as a deacon. There are good and godly men who faithfully serve without ever being set apart as a deacon. All are gifted and called to serve, not all are called to serve in the office of deacon. I’m asking that you begin now to pray about this process. Ask the Lord to guide you as you prayerfully consider the qualifications and as you study our congregation. Who have you seen demonstrate the characteristics set forth? Who do you see currently serving people in the congregation? Who do you see demonstrating loving concern for the church? I know that we have many good, gifted men in our fellowship. Who are the ones whom the Lord would have us recognize at this time? Not only do I believe we have such qualified men in our fellowship, I trust you to take seriously this responsibility and help us discern the Lord’s will.
Have a blessed week and I hope to see you Sunday as we continue our walk through the book of Acts and look at the Apostle’s Creed on Sunday evening.
Rod
From time to time, we find it necessary to add men to our fellowship of deacons. We are at that point once again. Beginning this week you will find in Sunday’s worship folder an insert. This week, we will outline the procedure we will be following. On the 27th, the insert will lay out the qualifications of deacons from Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3. Then on Sunday, October 4, you will find the deacon nomination form. You will be given the opportunity to nominate individuals you feel meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture. I cannot stress enough, this is not a popularity contest, this is a spiritual act in which we seek to discern those the Lord has set apart for service to this body. Rightly understood, this is not about our appointing but our recognition of the Lord’s appointing men to service. Not every man is called to serve as a deacon. There are good and godly men who faithfully serve without ever being set apart as a deacon. All are gifted and called to serve, not all are called to serve in the office of deacon. I’m asking that you begin now to pray about this process. Ask the Lord to guide you as you prayerfully consider the qualifications and as you study our congregation. Who have you seen demonstrate the characteristics set forth? Who do you see currently serving people in the congregation? Who do you see demonstrating loving concern for the church? I know that we have many good, gifted men in our fellowship. Who are the ones whom the Lord would have us recognize at this time? Not only do I believe we have such qualified men in our fellowship, I trust you to take seriously this responsibility and help us discern the Lord’s will.
Have a blessed week and I hope to see you Sunday as we continue our walk through the book of Acts and look at the Apostle’s Creed on Sunday evening.
Rod