Thankfully, most I was privileged to have in my churches were men of faith.įaith is so important, because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We could never have accomplished anything if the majority of deacons were lacking in faith.
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH BLOCK PARTY FULL
When the first seven deacons were selected, Acts 6:5 tell us the early church chose Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.” I have had deacons who should have been on the “cold water committee” instead of being a deacon, because they were so negative. We should love deacons who just have a heart to serve as Jesus would. He was loved by everyone and understood that a deacon’s role was to serve the church. He visited the hospitals, nursing homes, widows, and widowers. I had a deacon on one occasion who worked in a textile mill and had a shift that allowing him to finish his work at the plant at two o’clock in the afternoon.Īlmost every afternoon when he got off he would come by the church to see if there was anything he could do for some church member in need. JOE WESTBURY/Indexĭeacons are to serve the widows and those in the church who have needs. We should love and appreciate the deacons for freeing up the pastor so he can effectively and powerful preach the Word.Ĭornerstone Baptist Church, Lithia Springs deacon Dwight Reese, left, and Powerhouse International Church, Powder Springs member Barrion Boyle, right, grill hot dogs for a block party last summer. When they are functioning as they should and when the pastor is praying and preparing his mind and heart to preach as the Bible commands, the church will thrive.
They allow the pastor time for spiritual preparation.ĭeacons are to perform works of service in order to relieve the pastor of such duties so he can devote himself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6: 3-4). Those who love the Bible must love the offices prescribed by the Word of God, and therefore love and appreciate the deacons.Ģ. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 specifies that the only two church offices are pastors and deacons. Their role in the church is biblically based.
I would like to use these paragraphs to give you six reasons why deacons are to be loved and appreciated.ġ. Yes, I had a few who were adversarial, but I also learned that the best way to get rid of your enemies or adversaries is to make them your friends. However, I generally found that the deacons in the churches I pastored were supportive and helpful. I learned early on that if you resist the devil, he will flee from you, but if you resist the deacons, they will fire you. For the most part, they were great, wonderful, godly men. Before becoming editor of The Christian Index, I was a pastor for 41 years and had deacons in every church I served.
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