Deacon Ordination

Michael Kolb

August 25, 2024

Mathiston First Baptist Church

Report from the Council:

The council consisting __ ordained men and meeting on 08/25/2024 at 3:15 at Mathiston First Baptist examined Michael Kolb based upon the biblical qualifications for a deacon, his personal testimony of salvation, and his doctrinal beliefs. After testing, the council unanimously recommends Michael to be ordained as a deacon of Mathiston First Baptist Church

Charge to the candidate:

1 Timothy 3:8–13

“8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Michael, there are a few characteristics that should be present in your life as you serve as a deacon. Though we have studied these previously, I want to remind you of them today, specifically, issuing a charge to you to commit to embodying these characteristics at all times in your life.

Before I do, John Wooden is credited with saying, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

As such, I charge you to not only embody these characteristics while at church or in the view of the public, but also, I charge you to embody these characteristics at all times.

Worthy of respect (honorable, a person of good reputation) [8a]

Firm in your faith and doctrinal beliefs (unwavering in things pertaining to the Gospel) [9]

Faithful to your family (both to your wife and kids— they should never be neglected for the sake of the church. [v. 12]

Charge to Candidate:

Michael, upon hearing this charge, please indicate your affirmation of the charge by standing and saying, “I do”:

Do you, Michael Kolb, accept the charge to serve as deacon of Mathiston FBC; to live a life honorable to God and faithful to His calling you into His service; to serve Christ faithfully in all walks of life— at home, at church, in the workplace, and in our community; to always embody the characteristics detailed in Scripture appropriate for the deacon to embody? (Please stand and respond by saying, “I do”)

Charge to the church:

Following an address to the candidate, church, you should also understand your responsibility to Michael and the other deacons of our church:

Acts 6:1–7

“1 In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.”

What is your responsibility as a church to the deacons:

1. Understand and uphold the role of deacon:

Serving to meet physical and logistical needs

Enable service to the church to be top priority to the deacon:

Don’t overwhelm them with business matters so that they spend all of their time making decisions and are unable to serve

Pray for the deacon(s)

We are doing that tonight on the special occasion for ordination, just as the early church did. However, our praying for the deacons should not stop here.

Charge to the church:

Church, upon hearing the charge, please indicate your affirmation of the charge by standing and saying “We do.”:

Do you, the members of the church, acknowledge and approve Michael Kolb as a deacon of Mathiston First Baptist Church; Do you covet to pray for he and his family; to hold Michael accountable to the Scriptural standards established for the deacon; to encourage and support Michael in this service role so long as the Lord allows him to serve? (Please stand and respond by saying “We do.”)