Showing posts with label Deacon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deacon. Show all posts
22 November 2012
14 November 2011
An Officer's Ordination
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
(1 Timothy 4 ESV)
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
(1 Timothy 4 ESV)
06 May 2010
IX Marks E-Journal on Deacons
IX Marks has published their latest e-journal on the role of the deacon. It's pack full of good stuff - well worth a read no matter what role you fulfill in your church. I found Jamie Dunlap's article, Deacons: Shock Absorbers and Servants particularly well done. Though I don't agree with it in its entirety (such as limited terms of service and not meeting as a "deliberative body") it has many points worth considering such as:
The elders are called to “direct the affairs of the church” (1 Timothy 5:17), and deacons are called to support that direction. In our churches, then, elders should make directional decisions while deacons facilitate congregational involvement to make that vision a reality.
Thus:
When standing diaconal committees begin to feel that they “own” specific ministry areas of the church, it becomes difficult for them to avoid making direction-setting decisions that should be left to the elders. After all, even things as “worldly” as the building or the budget have highly spiritual dimensions in their administration.
Well said. Many of us are aware of this type of conflict arising in churches today.
Read the entire article here and the e-journal here. Be blessed as you put this info to use for God's glory.
The elders are called to “direct the affairs of the church” (1 Timothy 5:17), and deacons are called to support that direction. In our churches, then, elders should make directional decisions while deacons facilitate congregational involvement to make that vision a reality.
Thus:
When standing diaconal committees begin to feel that they “own” specific ministry areas of the church, it becomes difficult for them to avoid making direction-setting decisions that should be left to the elders. After all, even things as “worldly” as the building or the budget have highly spiritual dimensions in their administration.
Well said. Many of us are aware of this type of conflict arising in churches today.
Read the entire article here and the e-journal here. Be blessed as you put this info to use for God's glory.
23 June 2008
The Votes Are In on Women Deacons
Ok, the votes are in. Not many of you voted and even less left a message stating why you voted the way you did. I’m glad you all stopped by and voted regardless. So, my take can be summed up in the conclusion of the link I provided. This is a well researched and well written study on the question and I believe the conclusion is biblically sound. Let me quote, in part, the conclusion (which does not exempt you from reading the work yourself):
Given the biblical and historical evidence regarding women deacons, the question asked in the modern debate needs to be changed. The question has been: should the church have deaconesses? The question should be: what type of deaconesses does the New Testament authorize?... The New Testament gives clear qualifications for servant-widows (i.e., deaconesses) in 1 Timothy 5:9ff. and 1 Timothy 3:11. While the New Testament deaconess is a separate office from the male diaconate (with separate qualifications and a different ministry), the office clearly has divine authorization. The simple fact is that having deaconesses in the church is biblical as long as the church defines deaconesses biblically…It is not enough simply to oppose the "women in the same office as men deacons" view of deaconesses. Churches must study and then put in place the servant-widows that do have divine authorization. Under divine inspiration Paul gives instructions to place godly widows on a list. These servant-widows or deaconesses are needed now just as much as they were in the early church. With the fragmentation of families, single mothers, and the separation of young families from relatives by hundreds and thousands of miles, young women need the support that only servant-widows have to offer.
I, perhaps, might expand the allowable women to serve beyond just servant-widows but I’m still working through that in the same way that I’m working through the issue that many churches have Elders that are not elder. I do see much value in having some, especially older, women in this role. The deaconess could, for example, accompany and elder or deacon on a call to a single woman’s home to discuss a sensitive issue that perhaps the woman my not feel open and comfortable discussing with only a man or with a man in any circumstance. So, I do think there is a role here that could be fulfilled by a woman who has been a Christian for some years, demonstrated Christian piety and has some life experiences that could aid others in the congregation. Thoughts?
[Just for the record, the votes were 3 in favor, 3 not in favor and 4 did not know.]
Given the biblical and historical evidence regarding women deacons, the question asked in the modern debate needs to be changed. The question has been: should the church have deaconesses? The question should be: what type of deaconesses does the New Testament authorize?... The New Testament gives clear qualifications for servant-widows (i.e., deaconesses) in 1 Timothy 5:9ff. and 1 Timothy 3:11. While the New Testament deaconess is a separate office from the male diaconate (with separate qualifications and a different ministry), the office clearly has divine authorization. The simple fact is that having deaconesses in the church is biblical as long as the church defines deaconesses biblically…It is not enough simply to oppose the "women in the same office as men deacons" view of deaconesses. Churches must study and then put in place the servant-widows that do have divine authorization. Under divine inspiration Paul gives instructions to place godly widows on a list. These servant-widows or deaconesses are needed now just as much as they were in the early church. With the fragmentation of families, single mothers, and the separation of young families from relatives by hundreds and thousands of miles, young women need the support that only servant-widows have to offer.
I, perhaps, might expand the allowable women to serve beyond just servant-widows but I’m still working through that in the same way that I’m working through the issue that many churches have Elders that are not elder. I do see much value in having some, especially older, women in this role. The deaconess could, for example, accompany and elder or deacon on a call to a single woman’s home to discuss a sensitive issue that perhaps the woman my not feel open and comfortable discussing with only a man or with a man in any circumstance. So, I do think there is a role here that could be fulfilled by a woman who has been a Christian for some years, demonstrated Christian piety and has some life experiences that could aid others in the congregation. Thoughts?
[Just for the record, the votes were 3 in favor, 3 not in favor and 4 did not know.]
20 June 2008
A Woman Deacon? Don't Forget to Vote
I see many of you have stopped by and read the post on women in the Diaconate but only a few have voted. Hey, take a minute to vote. I want to hear from you. Let me know what you think!
16 June 2008
Take the Poll on Women Serving in the Diaconate
The PCA has decided not to even form a study committee on the issue of women serving in a diaconal capacity. HHmmm....what do you think? I was in the the PCA prior to 2000 ministering as a deacon in my church and the issue was brewing even back then. So, vote on the sidebar & let me know what you think by leaving a comment telling me why you voted the way you did. Read about the PCA decision here and an interesting study is here.
18 March 2007
Ordained Servant
For about five years I was a deacon in the PCA & a good source of encouragement and information for me as a church officer was the OPC publication, Ordained Servant. From the website, Ordained Servant exists to help encourage, inform, and equip church officers for faithful, effective, and God glorifying ministry in the visible church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Its primary audience is ministers, elders and deacons of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, as well as interested officers from other Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Through high quality editorials, articles, and book reviews we will endeavor to stimulate clear thinking and the consistent practice of historic Presbyterianism.Take a look at the website, it'll be worth your time. I often pull out old issues from my library just to have another look through. It is well written and the issues addressed are timely and thought provoking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)