Ben Mize Ordination

When I hear the word deacon

I do think of story in Acts 6.

I think of the qualifications listed 1 Timothy.

But my man quickly brings to mind Floyd Henson

Some of my first memories of church where of him, his wife, and that he was a deacon.

More than anything my understanding of whom a deacon should be and what they do was shaped by watching him.

Why am I telling a childhood story about Floyd Henson?

Ben, to many little kids around here you will be that living definition.

I am grateful for this. As with the deacons, men, and our entire congregation we believe this will be a good thing.

We at times have men who become ordained to be deacons and some who roll off to allow room for the new deacons. Regardless of how and when that happens, for these kids and this church they know we believe you are living a life that reflects what a church should look for to fill the office of a deacon.

There is a work to do, but there is first a person to be

You should always keep an eye on the list in 1 Timothy 3, because these little eyes will always be reading you.

1 Timothy 3:8–13 (KJV)

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notice two things

List is remarkable in how it is not remarkable. These are things you have been doing as you have been following Jesus.

It does not speak of the work you will do, but who you should be as you do them.

This is true of me as it was Robert Murray McCheyenne and true of you as well. “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.”

The New Testament does not provide much information concerning the role of deacons.

Man with the right character with a willingness to serve the church with a desire to protect the ministry of the word does the work of a deacon

The work may change, but the person and their willingness to serve does not.

In our time together we have come to describe the work, based upon what we see in Scripture, as a shock-absorber and a servant.

Shock Absorbers

God always intended to display His glory in a church made up of Jews and Gentiles

It would be expected that is the area in which Satan decided to attack; the unity between two groups in the church

Through ongoing communication with the pastors the deacons serve to help with administration and the care of the congregation

Servants

1 Timothy 3:13 “13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Unfortunately many churches have experienced deacons and pastors have misused the office God has allowed them to use

We have come to agree that many issues that arise when pastors and deacons stop seeing themselves and servants and ignore the congregation.

We are not called to to play tug of war but to pull together for good of the church

This is not the kind of office you hang pictures on the wall.

This is standing. It is influence.

What does a godly, servant do if you give him any resource including influence, he uses it to serve more people

Closing

I believe it is wonderful to see in God’s wisdom, the picture that is provided in the deacons.

Good deacons serve as a reminder that a church is not be a place where members watch vocational pastors do the work.

Church is a place where we all work together.