Deacon Ordination Service

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome and thank you for coming to tonight’s deacon ordination service. My goal tonight is not to make more out of something than we should but neither to make lighter of something than we ought.

What we are doing here tonight, Christians have been doing for 2,000 years. What we’re doing tonight, the church of Jerusalem did about 2,000 years ago. This is by the design of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One day he’s going to come to get us but until that day the Lord has given us the Local Church to help us prepare ourselves to that day. And part of God’s grace to that local church is the office of a deacon.

WHAT DO DEACONS DO?

So what do deacons do? Well we just read the essentials in Acts 6:1-7. The other passage of Scripture that talks about deacons deals more with the qualifications and that’s in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

For the sake of time tonight we’re just going to focus on the passage in Acts 6 and I want to highlight how often the word deacon is actually used. Read it with me again.

Acts 6:1–7 (ESV)

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. [Gk. diakonia] 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. [Gk. diakoneo]3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry [Gk. diakonia] of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

So what is the role of a deacon according to the Scripture? The text doesn’t give a universal definition.

It describes what the Church in Jerusalem used deacons to do: care for widows who were being neglected.

It shows the result of that ministry in the life of the church, “congregation was pleased, ministry of the word increased, size of the church grew.”

A Definition

If I had to give a definition for deacons based on this text it would be that “deacons are a servant-leaders, appointed by the congregation, to come alongside the pastors to meet the needs of the congregation, support the ministry of the Word, and promote the growth of the church.

You see all seven parts of that definition in our text.

the word deacon means “servant.”

the men elected deacons were consider leaders in the church. (good repute)

the men were appointed and affirmed by the congregation (laying on of hands)

the men were to come alongside the apostles to help with pastoral ministry.

that ministry included meeting biblically defined needs (care widows /orphans)

that ministry included freeing up time for the apostles to support the ministry of the Word.

that ministry resulted with peace in the congregation, growth in the church and success in the mission.

So what do deacons do at Broadview?

In our church deacons aid the pastor(s) in fulfilling IMPORTANT matters of pastoral ministry so that he can focus on his PRIMARY matter of prayer and preaching the Word.

A Gift from God

In that way, deacons are a great gift to our church. They are the ones who will be there to help minister to you in times of crisis or need.

That’s why you ought to care about who the deacons are, how they’re selected, and the spiritual process involved.

Deacons are given to the church to assist pastors in fulfilling “pastoral type roles” in the life of the church. The deacons DO PERFORM duties that you might expect the pastors to do.

That’s why they must meet the same character qualifications as pastors. (you want them qualified and capable to minister to you in your time of need!)

Let me challenge you deacons to embrace that ministry.

Let me encourage you as a congregation to pray for these men and affirm God’s grace in calling them to this duty.

Allow them to serve you and minister to you.

How Should Deacons Live?

In a moment we’re going to ask you to pray for these men. So for the rest of this message I want to give you some ideas on how to pray.

These prayer points come from the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:8–13 (ESV)

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Character

First, pray for their personal character.

Dignified (v. 8):

This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to the idea of having a good reputation like in Acts 6:3.

Not double-tongued (v. 8):

Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.

Not addicted to much wine (v. 8):

We want our deacons to be marked by self-control and Spirit-filled/Spirit-controlled living. That’s not to say that drinking alcohol is sinful per say. But being controlled by anything makes a person ill-suited for Christian leadership.

Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8):

If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon.

Second, pray for their walk with God.

Pray their life is transformed and marked by the Gospel (v. 9):

A deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” means “the Gospel.”

Deacons must hold firm to the true gospel without wavering and “with a clear conscience.” Their behavior must be consistent with their beliefs.

Tested and marked by perseverance & integrity (v. 10):

Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10).

“Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. When it’s put in relationship to their knowledge of the Gospel I think it’s a reference to their perseverance in the faith and having a life of consistent integrity. Lot’s of people can be godly and serve for a season. But we want men marked by longevity.

Third, pray for their relationships in the Home

Pray that they have a 7. Godly wife (v. 11):

According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable.

Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment.

Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” just as deacons are to be “blameless” and pastors are to be “above reproach.”

Pray they’re marriage is marked by faithfulness and oneness as God designed (v. 12):

The best interpretation of this phrase is as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.

Pray they lead well at home so they can lead well in the church (v. 12):

A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children. If he can’t manage his family well he shouldn’t be required to help manage the church family.

When we do what God wants us to do in this area the God’s blessing will be on our church.

Acts 6:7 says that “The word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

Why? Because the church embraced Christ’s design for the church.

So I charge you deacons to fulfill the role that God has given you. Become these kind of men. Men marked by righteousness, integrity, mature faith and vibrant leadership of your self and your family.

I charge you as a congregation to pray for them, intentionally go out of your way to encourage them. Let God work his work of grace in your life through these men.

Call Up Deacons for Charge

QUESTION:

Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord of all and Head of Broadview Baptist Church, and through Him believe in one God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

QUESTION:

Do you believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God, totally trustworthy, inspired by the Spirit, and the supreme, final, and only infallible rule of faith and practice?

QUIESTION:

Will you fully & publicly commit to the responsibilities of this office knowing the nature, requirements & duties thereof?

QUESTION:

Will you fulfill the duties of this office in obedience to Christ, empowered by the Spirit, for the good of Broadview Church and the glory of God the Father?

QUESTION:

Will you promote and maintain spiritual unity in our church, proper care of our members and continual growth in our mission to be a disciple-making church?

CHURCH QUESTION:

Will you, the members of Broadview Baptist Church, receive & commission these brothers to serve as deacons? Will you support them in this role, pray for them as leaders and follow their example as lead servants in the church?

Laying on of Hands