In verse 13, Paul says, "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." Paul is saying that those who serve in the often quiet, behind the scenes work of deacons, will be rewarded with high standing. Allow both my wife and me to be encouragers, supporters, and smile-makers, not only at church but everywhere we go. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. TopicalBible conduct our work with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. #5 - Set a quorum of deacons to be present. Oh, right, we did that part already. Couples Guidance Prayer Righteous Savior, bless my role as a deacon in the church and bless my wife in her support of the work I do in Your name. The really good chair will know which agenda item is going to push a particular persons button. We humbly implore you to dwell among us with the Spirit of discretion. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Amen. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. c. List several characteristics of a healthy church from this passage. We have talents, abilities, and time to work. The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. K 22 And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. Discover the top Bible verses about Deacons from the Old and New Testaments. Send your Spirit upon me as I serve your Church. The Lord's Servants Read the Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. It can really help to put time for personal talk and informal exchange on the agenda - first. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Every meeting begins with prayer. I am so blessed to have Your mercy, grace, and love. Service Times8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. 1920 Northwestern AveWest Lafayette, IN 47906, Biblical Counseling in Winter Break Childcare, The Hope of Avoiding Poisonous Responses to Trials. Thank You for giving me this opportunity to work for You. The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. To find the full context of shorter scripture quotes, click on "Chapter" above each verse. Church Membership of officers in Deacons. Please take that worry from me and erase the apprehensiveness in my voice as I talk with others. We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. 2.2 Short Devotions for Advent and Christmas. Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff If you are not the chair, offer to help; this business of having better meetings involves taking responsibility stepping up to the tasks. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. The primary relationship of the deacons to the church is as follows: 1. 2023 Christian Reformed Church in North America. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Amen. Ephesians 6:18 Whether you are headed into a work meeting that needs guidance and wisdom or gathering as a small group or church, these opening prayers will set your focus on God's will. When you are a pastor or administrator, you need to plan the meeting just like any other event where your group can focus on resolving important issues. 2.5 Short Devotions on Encouragement for Moms. A.The Problem (verse 1)-Greek-speaking Jewish widows being overlooked in the distribution . Work in and through me, Jesus. Having a time of devotions and prayer at your deacon's meetings is meant to facilitate a sharing of the living Word. b. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. 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. In Jesus all-powerful name, I pray. Remind us of Your faithful provision when our efforts fail us or fall short. Romans 16:1: A Female Deacon (Deaconess) In Acts 6:3, the apostles appoint seven male deacons: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. The goal of each meeting is to make sure that we (deacons and pastoral staff) are leading and serving in ways that glorifies God and builds His church. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus. Not only could this devotional resource keep our vision fresh, but it also will invite us to explore the meaning of the phrases in the charge of deacons - encouraging us to search for ways to make this come alive in our own contexts. 2.1 Short Devotions on Revelation. Shift our perspective to seek Your peace above all else. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. The prototypical . The New American Standard Bible. Give us your grace to relieve needs by means of material gifts and to instill the comfort of your holy Word into the hearts of the afflicted, that they may put their trust in you alone. There is only one way for us to go to heaven. In Jesus name, I pray. Give us the desire to find ways to excel in our work. Give her the ability to be who You called her to be and lead me in my guidance of her. Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. He oversees the staff, deacons, and all Faith Church ministries. Thank you for the roles of deacon, elder, and minister and for the uniqueness each brings to the table. Father, Salem Media Group. Make me fertile ground for your inspiration and love. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. Deacons hold important positions of service in their churches and shine Gods light through their words and actions. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Read Chapter All Versions 1 Timothy 3:8-13 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. His point here is that deacons are to have an upright character which is an example to people in the church. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Read Steve Viars Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church. The word deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. So they gave a dinner for him there. What do these verses teach about the function of pastors? For things to be done decently and in order, we must have a rule of order. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Scripture: 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your . They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. What if better preparation meant shorter better meetings?! Mold me in Your image and guide me in my actions each day. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Beloved, confide in Him. Guide My Footsteps Prayer O God, my Promise-Keeper, be with me as I step out every day into the darkness of this world to bear Your light. 12. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes! Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. There are two offices necessary to the church: pastors and deacons. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.. Make me Your vessel, dear God. Lead us to them and help us to distribute the offerings that have been collected in a spirit of joy, fidelity, and liberality. 1:1). Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. Deacon Bonner called meeting to order and then asked if anyone had a scripture on their heart that they wanted to share. What leaders are being spoken of here (cf. Let us bring love where there is hatred, healing where there is injury, faith where there is doubt, and hope where there is despair. B.S. We know that when we gather together, You always have a divine agenda. Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. I need to visit more, share stories more, and fellowship more. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Z. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Your email address will not be published. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Give me the courage to overcome my shyness and be more social to further the impact I make in Your holy name. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. Bless, we pray, our work of mercy that we all may praise and thank you, while we await the blessed appearance of your Son, Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sakes that he might enrich us with eternal treasures. #2 - Plan the meeting carefully. 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. Strengthen our confidence in who You have made us to be. F They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Keep my breathing deep and peaceful, let anxieties roll off my back, and help me to stay focused on supporting the elders in my church. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. Proverbs 24:10 4. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Every deacon Deacons are to be problem solvers and preservers of church harmony. "I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you." Isaiah 46:4 As we grow older, our bodies begin to change. Help us to understand that we don't need full clarity to walk into the unique purpose You've inlaid in our lives. Deacons are an example to people. Devotions for Church Meetings Full All 20 devotions 1. Working with people's problems, hurts, disappointments and needs requires, as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Book of Order puts it, that deacons be "persons of spiritual character.". The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12: Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to "respectable," which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. In a cultural context deprived of Christian commitment, today is the day for deacons to model the change they want to see in the church. Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something . But Martha was distracted with much serving. Prayer For Deacons Meeting Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. - Sort By Book Order. Id like to think of these as a few of the disciplines of good meetings. Honor widows who are truly widows. Make [their] heart[s] like yours so [they] may love your people. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Time is invested in deacon training. They were faithful in their time. But do this with gentleness and respect,". Have you had experience with any of these ideas? Help me to be a motivator and a spiritual weapon for her. Amen. Having set forth the qualifications for elders, Paul now does the same for deacons. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. It will involve you in followup on decisions from the last meeting, and it will help you to think about what you can do ahead of time to help insure that the next meeting is a good one. As we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your purpose for it. Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. b. For website questions or corrections, please contact us at [emailprotected]. Everyone must guard himself against the various foes that threaten to rob us of our joy in the Lord, our usefulness in the kingdom, our relationships with our brothers and sisters, and our leadership of our home. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 24 And the Lords bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Their ministry seems to have begun in Acts 6:3-4 when the apostles sought men "full of the Spirit and of wisdom" who would serve the widows in the church. Depend on the Lord July; Pentecost; time of difficulty Deacons bring stability for people. Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. Make me step out and take up new adventures. 7 And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. What's helpful when questions arise about purpose, is to be reminded about our calling to these roles, and how better to remember than to each meeting take a few moments and collect ourselves to remind each other what we were elected to do. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. Let me put my fears of public speaking and meeting new people behind me and allow me to be all that I can for You. I will cross raging waters and walk through burning flames and not be afraid because You are with me through it all. So each agenda item will be labeled one of three ways: for information, for discussion or advice (to someone, for example the pastor or a deaconal subcommittee), or for decision. Or am I trying to please man? c. What warnings do we find here, both for pastors and church members? Devotions. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. Read through the biblical references of Deacons to learn more about its meaning and significance. T They are to teach what is good. I need to be able to reach over and take Your hand at a moments notice. #3 - Be prepared to lead the meeting, Remember, leadership is priceless. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.read more. So, if you want the real Jell-O, do not be deceived by the Snack Pack. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. Fences must be erected, must be guarded, and must be constantly repaired. Grant me grace as I age so I may share your wisdom. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Setting a specific time for this meets a need, builds community, and reassures people who get quickly impatient with it because they know it has a specific boundary around it. 2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. R It will also increase your ability to use Scripture as you minister to those inside and outside of the church. This allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). It's important that God be sought at the beginning of the meeting. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Thank You for allowing service to Your Church to be the mission of our lives. How would these passages help us understand the purpose of a deacons meeting? Bonus points if they get connected in the Young . But it does include specifics on the roles and duties of church leaders. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 4. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that it is not me speaking, but You through me. This is when the pastor is best teed up to reciprocate honor to his deacon brothers. A Purposeful Pastor/Deacons Meeting. As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. b. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. The Bible says that deacons who serve well (meaning serve effectively) receive a high standing and have confidence in Christ ( I Timothy 3:13 ). He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. Comfort [them] when [they] question [themselves and their] ministry. Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. Proverbs 3:5-6 3. Deacons need to be able to look it over a couple of days in advance so it can "percolate"; we all need time to clarify our own thinking and decide what we want to say in the meeting. Pastor Viars leads and equips Faith Church as Senior Pastor with a focus on preaching and teaching Gods Word and using his organizational skills in guiding the implementation of the Faith Church mission and vision. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 8. Acts 20:17-38 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. c. How would you describe their relationship? Overcoming Roadblocks in Ministry - Devotions for Deacons. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For example, the Bible is the authority for Baptist faith and practice. Ready us to make every moment count. These readings are available for both lectionary cyclesdaily readings and Sunday/Festival readings. And they were accompanying him to the ship. O Meetings of the first church have more to do with keeping in line with . And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. As I continue the path of being a deacon in my church, I ask that You give me the words I need to help those who come to me. I don't believe deacons "run" the church. Steve is the author, co-author, or contributor to six books and numerous booklets. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. 1. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. C In Jesus name, I pray. Thank you for helping us uphold the Community Guidelines to make this an encouraging and respectful community for everyone. May we discharge the duties of our office as Christ's ministers of mercy. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Psalm 32:8 2. Deacons from generations past are cheering you on from the sidelines of glory. #4 - Use simple parliamentary rules. b. 1. Acts 6: The First Deacons. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. Which in turn can easily become part of opening devotions. 8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. Amen. P All of our devotions have a printable option at the bottom of each page if you wish to print. b. So now we are ready to invest a bit of effort and time, because we are MOTIVATED to improve those meetings! I want to do my best for You, and I need Your help to do that. Amen Prayer Before Sunday School Jesus as we gather together to learn about You, may You meet us here. Deacons need to be able to look it over a couple of days in advance so it can percolate; we all need time to clarify our own thinking and decide what we want to say in the meeting. Let us marvel at your good gifts and your wise provision. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Help us plant seeds of hope and faith in eternal life with You. Make the agenda so it can be distributed ahead of time. Let Your light in me shine brightly for all to see. Diaconal Ministries of Canada (DMC) has created a set of 12 devotions, designed specifically for deacon meetings, based on the charge to the deacons. From this text and elsewhere, we know that the Bible recognizes two offices within the church: elder and deacon (cf. . What do these verses teach about pastoral ministry? We love You for that, Father. Why was the office of deacon instituted? Now coming to what the Bible has to say, it has no firm rules on a church meeting. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 4. Take Away My Worry Prayer Dear God of All Comfort, thank You for all that You have given me.