Deacon Charge

Deacon Ordination

Ordaining: Jason Freeman, Russ Mahaffey

Ordaining: Russ Mahaffey, Jason Freeman

Welcoming: David Geddings

Ordaining David Briley to deacon ministry. What has impressed me most about David and his wife is their willingness to minister to members in our congregation. They often take visitors out to lunch. Have had numerous people in their homes as an expression of love. David volunteered to teach our teenage guys. What a challenge! But, he has done it well, and he has gotten involved in their lives. We could not be ordaining two finer men to deacon ministry.

What does a deacon do? In NT two offices within the church that God has established to lead the church: pastors and deacons. The offices are different. Pastors lead by overseeing. Pastors guide the church, guard the church, and lead the church to graze on God's Word. The pastors lead under the authority of Jesus Christ. Deacons lead the church by serving. The word deacon simply means "servant." In that sense, we are all deacons. We are all servants, but God has established the office of deacon. Why? Scripture is not clear. When you read through the Bible you do not see spelled out exactly what deacons do. You won't find a job description. Since Scripture is silent about the specific role of men in the office of deacon, I believe that gives the church freedom to use the deacon as that particular church deems necessary. However, what the church is not allowed to do is elevate deacons to a position of spiritual authority over the church. Deacons are not a board of men who run the church. Deacons are not responsible for oversight. Scripturally speaking, the oversight of the church falls on the shoulders of pastors under the leadership of Jesus Christ, not deacons. How should are. These three ways can be found in and .

A word about each…

What does a deacon do? In the New Testament we see two offices within the church that God has established to lead the church: pastors and deacons. The offices are different. Pastors lead by overseeing. Pastors guide the church, guard the church, and lead the church to graze on God's Word. The pastors lead under the authority of Jesus Christ. Deacons lead the church by serving. The word deacon simply means "servant." In that sense, we are all deacons. We are all servants, but God has established the office of deacon. Why? Scripture is not clear. When you read through the Bible you do not see spelled out exactly what deacons do. You won't find a job description. Since Scripture is silent about the specific role of men in the office of deacon, I believe that gives the church freedom to use the deacon as that particular church deems necessary. However, what the church is not allowed to do is elevate deacons to a position of spiritual authority over the church. Deacons are not a board of men who run the church. Deacons are not responsible for oversight. Scripturally speaking, the oversight of the church falls on the shoulders of pastors under the leadership of Jesus Christ, not deacons. What I want to show you are three ways deacons serve. These three ways can be found in and .

1. Serve others by being an example of godliness.

What does a deacon do? In NT two offices within the church that God has established to lead the church: pastors and deacons. The offices are different. Pastors lead by overseeing. Pastors guide the church, guard the church, and lead the church to graze on God's Word. The pastors lead under the authority of Jesus Christ. Deacons lead the church by serving. The word deacon simply means "servant." In that sense, we are all deacons. We are all servants, but God has established the office of deacon. Why? Scripture is not clear. When you read through the Bible you do not see spelled out exactly what deacons do. You won't find a job description. Since Scripture is silent about the specific role of men in the office of deacon, I believe that gives the church freedom to use the deacon as that particular church deems necessary. However, what the church is not allowed to do is elevate deacons to a position of spiritual authority over the church. Deacons are not a board of men who run the church. Deacons are not responsible for oversight. Scripturally speaking, the oversight of the church falls on the shoulders of pastors under the leadership of Jesus Christ, not deacons. and . Three ways deacons serve:

The greatest way you can serve our church is by being an example of godliness. The qualifications of deacons and pastors are very similar. Really, the only difference is that the pastor is supposed to be able to teach.

1. Set an example of godliness.

These qualities are really qualities that all Christians should possess as they follow after Jesus. Pastors and deacons should be exemplary in these qualities and be a role model to others.

· The qualifications of deacons and pastors are very similar. Really, the only difference is that the pastor is supposed to be able to teach.

Dignified - Respected in the congregation and community

· These qualities are really qualities that all Christians should possess as they follow after Jesus. Pastors and deacons should be exemplary in these qualities and be a role model to others.

Not double-tongued - Does not gossip. Does not say one thing and does another. Does not tell his pastor that he supports him and then talks behind his back.

· Dignified - Respected in the congregation and community

· Not double-tongued - Does not gossip. Does not say one thing and does another. Does not tell his pastor that he supports him and then talks behind his back.

Do not suffer from addictions. Alcohol, pornography, etc.

Not greedy for dishonest gain - You are not living for what you want. You are living for the Lord and for the needs of others.

· Do not suffer from addictions. Alcohol, pornography, etc.

Hold the mystery of the faith - students of the Word

· Not greedy for dishonest gain - You are not living for what you want. You are living for the Lord and for the needs of others.

Tested men, proven - you've been in the battle and you persevered. You've been through the fire and you walked in faith.

· Hold the mystery of the faith - students of the Word

· Tested men, proven - you've been in the battle and you persevered. You've been through the fire and you walked in faith.

Faithful wives - your wife is a co-laborer with you.

Faithful to your wife

· Faithful wives - your wife is a co-laborer with you.

· Faithful to your wife

Pastor dad in the home - You are the spiritual leader in the home leading your children to honor the Lord

Set the example of godliness for our church - Be in Sunday School, be in worship, look for opportunities to grow spiritually. Study the Word. Grow in prayer. You will be an ineffective servant of the church if you are not growing in godliness. The church will only be as mature as its pastors and deacons. If we are not walking closely with the Lord, how can we expect to lead spiritually?

· Pastor dad in the home - You are the spiritual leader in the home leading your children to honor the Lord

· Set the example of godliness for our church - Be in LCG, be in worship, look for opportunities to grow spiritually. Study the Word. Grow in prayer. You will be an ineffective servant of the church if you are not growing in godliness. The church will only be as mature as its pastors and deacons. If we are not walking closely with the Lord, how can we expect to lead spiritually?

2. Deacons serve others by spiritually caring for others and teaching others how to administer spiritual care.

Problem in early church. Church is growing and the apostles are unable to keep up with the growth.

2. Set an example of care.

The early church had taken on the responsibility of meeting the needs of the widows in their midst. However, the Gentile widows felt as if they were being neglected.

· Problem in early church. Church is growing and the apostles are unable to keep up with the growth.

The apostles and other disciples selected 7 men to serve the widows so they could devote their time to prayer and preaching.

· The early church had taken on the responsibility of meeting the needs of the widows in their midst. However, the Gentile widows felt as if they were being neglected.

This is not the office of deacon. These men are not called deacons. We do not know when the office of deacon, or elder for that matter, was established, but these men certainly were a prototype to the office of deacon.

· The apostles and other disciples selected 7 men to serve the widows so they could devote their time to prayer and preaching.

· This is not the office of deacon. These men are not called deacons. We do not know when the office of deacon, or elder for that matter, was established, but these men certainly were a prototype to the office of deacon.

Deacons, you have the responsibility of serving the needs of our church. In our church we give our deacons the responsibility of serving the needs of families. Every deacon is given families in our congregation that they are responsible to pray for and reach out to in time of need.

When deacons are meeting the needs of families in our congregation it frees the load of our pastors. Certainly our pastors will minister to the needs of our families, but we need help. It is overwhelming for a pastor at times to be responsible for leading, preaching, and spending time in the presence of God. We need help!

· Deacons, you have the responsibility of serving the needs of our church. In our church we give our deacons the responsibility of serving the needs of our church by serving on small teams: Grief team, hospital team, widow/shut-in team, assimilation team, pastor care team, and helps team.

· When deacons are meeting the needs of families in our congregation it frees the load of our pastors. Certainly our pastors will minister to the needs of our families, but we need help. It is overwhelming for a pastor at times to be responsible for leading, preaching, and spending time in the presence of God. We need help!

Deacons, you serve as a help to our pastors and a help to our congregation when you support your pastors by sharing some of the load of ministry with us, and you serve our church when you are helping families in their times of need.

· Deacons, you serve as a help to our pastors and a help to our congregation when you support your pastors by sharing some of the load of ministry with us, and you serve our church when you are helping families in their times of need.

The reality is that everyone in our church is a servant. Obviously, there are a variety of ways that we all serve. We are gifted in different ways. However, we are always serving one another. Deacons, you set the example of how to serve. Congregation, you follow the lead of our deacons by serving just as vigorously. When you see a brother or sister in Christ in need help them. When you know of someone who needs encouragement, encourage them. When you know of someone who needs for you to pray with them, do it. Let us strive to become a congregation of faithful servants. Deacons, you have to help me in teaching our congregation how to pray with each other, how to carry each others burdens, how to listen to each other, how to live at peace with one another. I need you help with these things.

· The reality is that everyone in our church is a servant. Obviously, there are a variety of ways that we all serve. We are gifted in different ways. However, we are always serving one another. Deacons, you set the example of how to serve. Congregation, you follow the lead of our deacons by serving just as vigorously. When you see a brother or sister in Christ in need help them. When you know of someone who needs encouragement, encourage them. When you know of someone who needs for you to pray with them, do it. Let us strive to become a congregation of faithful servants. Deacons, you have to help me in teaching our congregation how to pray with each other, how to carry each others burdens, how to listen to each other, how to live at peace with one another. I need you help with these things.

3. Serve others by being an example of missional living.

This is what I am most excited about as we add David and Ron. Both understand the Great Commission and both live it out on a daily basis. They often speak of opportunites they have to share their faith.

· Stephen - defended and proclaimed the Gospel

Stephen - defended and proclaimed the Gospel

Yes, meet needs inside the church - but help us not to remain inward focused.

· Yes, meet needs inside the church - but help us not to remain inward focused.

· This is not merely a place to retreat from the world - this is a place to be trained to go our and serve the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be an example of what it means to share Christ.

This is not merely a place to retreat from the world - this is a place to be trained to go our and serve the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be an example of wha

· Deacons - Yes, serve the church. However, most of your life spent on job and with family. How are you serving the people you work with for the sake of the Gospel? Show us how to live as missionaries in our community. Teach us how to effectively make the Gospel known. We need examples of men that are not afraid to live for Jesus. We need examples of men who are not afraid to make much of Jesus and take risks for the Kingdom of God.

Deacons - Yes, serve the church. However, half of your life is spent on a job. How are you serving the people you work with for the sake of the Gospel? Show us how to live as missionaries in our community. Teach us how to effectively make the Gospel known. We need examples of men that are not afraid to live for Jesus. We need examples of men who are not afraid to make much of Jesus and take risks for the Kingdom of God.

Church - pray for your deacons.

Deacons - pray for yourselves. This is serious, and you can only serve this church and this community with the help of the Ultimate Servant - Jesus Christ. Pray for His help and surrender to His will.