The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. A church meeting agenda is an outlined plan for a church administrative meeting. 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. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. ( 1 Tim 3:13, NKJV) This statement foreshadows two eventual, compelling benefits for those who carry out their duties well. But it does include specifics on the roles and duties of church leaders. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. Bible verses related to Deacons from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.. 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. 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. This is when the pastor is best teed up to reciprocate honor to his deacon brothers. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. Give me eyes to see the needs of your people. Bible scholars are generally agreed that the "office" of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-7, where the early church selected seven men to assist the apostles in caring for the needs of the widows in the early church. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes! 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. What if better preparation meant shorter better meetings?! The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. Giving My Best to God Prayer Dear Christ in Heaven, please give me the strength, energy, and endurance to be a tireless servant in Your Church who spreads Your love. Let us marvel at your good gifts and your wise provision. 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. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. Connect to The Network and add your own question, blog, resource, or job. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And 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. Let us examine a final passage of Scripture regarding deacons. 2. Month-by-month lectionary readings . Blog, A 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. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? Grant me grace as I age so I may share your wisdom. If no one does, expect the meeting to show it. Many pastors like to have a list of devotions that they can give to others as well as use in their own personal life. Prayer should be biblically informed. b. You are our good Father, just and righteous. Publication date: Feb 25, 2023. 2.2 Short Devotions for Advent and Christmas. Often I hear deacons express an uncertainty about what is expected, and what their role actually is. Amen. Because the Bible is God's word, it will not contradict itself. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. What the Bible says about Deacons Topics Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8 - 1 Timothy 3:13 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. We love You for that, Father. Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. Give us the desire to find ways to excel in our work. : Biblical Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary. 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. M Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Which in turn can easily become part of opening devotions. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. Tell Him your troubles. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. That invariably calls for a business meeting. 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. 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. Acts 6: The First Deacons. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 2. Deacons are to be problem solvers and preservers of church harmony. It's been said that a lot of churches are run by strong willed deacons wives:) According to scripture, churches are to be run by elders, of which the pastor is one . For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Amen. If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.). 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. Im not going to list prayer as a way to improve meetings, because we all know that. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. c. How would you describe their relationship? Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. It will help develop your language of faith and help you apply Scripture. "Make every effort to preserve the unity the. 2023 Christian Reformed Church in North America. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. The really good chair will know which agenda item is going to push a particular persons button. 8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. Praise You for this event, and Your purpose for it. #4 - Use simple parliamentary rules. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Is anyone among you sick? We surrender completely to You. Amen Prayer Before Sunday School Jesus as we gather together to learn about You, may You meet us here. Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Prayer For Deacons Meeting Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. The Network is a collection of content posted by members of our online community. 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. 12 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Make [them] fertile ground for your inspiration and love. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Mighty God, everything you do reveals your glory and majesty. c. What warnings do we find here, both for pastors and church members? Discover the top Bible verses about Deacons from the Old and New Testaments. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. To help focus on the TASK at hand, each agenda item should be labeled clearly, so that the group knows exactly what it needs to do with that agenda item. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. Loving heavenly Father, First Corinthians 12:5 tells us that "there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord." Ministries in that verse is also diakonia. Mold me in Your image and guide me in my actions each day. Give her the ability to be who You called her to be and lead me in my guidance of her. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Couples Spiritual Weapon Prayer Lord of Heavens Armies, bless my wife as she works and prays daily to be molded into the image of You. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. Make [their] heart[s] like yours so [they] may love your people. 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.". Amen. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 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. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. conduct our work with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. 1. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. Make me Your vessel, dear God. Required fields . November 2022 - A Spiritually Healthy Church. We come to you this hour asking for your blessing and help as we are gathered together. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". 13 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. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. They are students of Scripture, holding to sound theology. Help me to be a motivator and a spiritual weapon for her. It will also increase your ability to use Scripture as you minister to those inside and outside of the church. Time is invested in deacon training. F 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. You have called us to the office of deacon in this congregation, and we are now assembled in your name to deal with the matters pertaining to our office. 4. 12. For we are God's fellow workers. #1 - Have a written agenda and give each of the deacons a copy. K Deacons are to control their appetites either for alcohol or money (v. 8). Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Woman's hips extend to new horizons on the east, our. Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. Online Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Ladies' Dinner and Bible 0 Comments Add a Comment Cancel. Oh, right, we did that part already. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. So now we are ready to invest a bit of effort and time, because we are MOTIVATED to improve those meetings! Id like to think of these as a few of the disciplines of good meetings. Though our circumstances will be unfair from time to time in this life, You are always our unwavering protector and shield (Psalm 3:3). Father, You don't have deacon's meetings without the pastor present unless your goint to fire him. 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. Grant [them] grace as [they] age so [they] may share your wisdom. b. Acts 6:1-7 1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God? The expectations for elders differ from those of deacons in a one critical way. They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, a good household . Give me a generous spirit when I am tired but needed. We love your comments! First, theres just no getting around it, somebody has to do some good preparation, and that usually falls to the chair. We might even want to call someone to check something out before the meeting. However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 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. Thank you for the roles of deacon, elder, and minister and for the uniqueness each brings to the table. Comfort [them] when [they] question [themselves and their] ministry. What does the Bible say about Deacons? 2. Grant us his help, that we may be able to establish who are the ones that are truly in need. Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. 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. Help us to share Your word and Your truth with all who enter our presence. 1. A Taste of Life Time of trouble in congregation/community 3. 1 Timothy 3:11 Verse Concepts Steve is the author, co-author, or contributor to six books and numerous booklets. 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I trust in You. They help to respect peoples time, their ideas, their willingness to serve. Support us daily as we wear our full suits of armor for You, and when we go into battle, give us the words to say and the tools we need. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. ); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something . He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:8-18. . It's important that God be sought at the beginning of the meeting. 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. They should be persons of deep faith and high moral standards (see 1 Timothy 3:8-13), committed to a life of prayer, study and other spiritual . 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. God, make me brave. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? The word deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. Diaconal Ministries of Canada (DMC) has created a set of 12 devotions, designed specifically for deacon meetings, based on the charge to the deacons. The Bible says that deacons who serve well (meaning serve effectively) receive a high standing and have confidence in Christ ( I Timothy 3:13 ). But do this with gentleness and respect,". Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed. Deacons from generations past are cheering you on from the sidelines of glory. Psalm 3:5 NIV Let Your peace rain down on us today, as we seek You more than anything else. I am Yours. 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. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. 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. The Bible is very clear on how the church should be run. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. Recalibrate our intentions and refocus our hearts. Pray through a passage of Scripture. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. I will tend to the poor and the hungry, the sick and the discarded. c. List several characteristics of a healthy church from this passage. Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. These. Work in and through me, Jesus. II. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. 5 Short Devotions for Online Meetings By Jordan An April 27, 2020 Meeting togetherin person or more often now onlineis an important way to stay connected. We might even want to call someone to check something out before the meeting. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. E Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. What then is Apollos? Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. 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. Their family lives prove that they apply the truth of Scripture in all areas of their lives. That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. Thank You for giving me this opportunity to work for You. The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. The responsibilities of a deacon are not clearly listed or outlined; they are assumed to be everything that does not include the duties of an elder or pastor, which is to preach, teach, and exhort. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses. Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Prayers An Opening Prayer for the Meetings of the Deacons Merciful God and Father, you have not only declared that we will always have the poor with us, but have also commanded us to support them in their need. Having a good agenda in hand 2 or 3 days before the meeting is important. TopicalBible After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Never leave my side. I need to visit more, share stories more, and fellowship more. 1 Peter 5:1-11 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Our hosting of this content does not imply endorsement, nor can we verify the accuracy of user-submitted posts. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. B Dr. Viars serves on the boards of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, Biblical Counseling Coalition, Vision of Hope, and the Faith Community Development Corporation. There are two offices necessary to the church: pastors and deacons. L First, theres just no getting around it, somebody has to do some good preparation, and that usually falls to the chair. It can really help to put time for personal talk and informal exchange on the agenda - first. OK, you are on your way to consistently great meetings. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Focus our eyes on consoling those who hurt and bringing Your light into the darkness. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 3. We ask that we would challenge each other to reach higher and farther to be the best we can be. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.". Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 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. C 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. Tell her then to help me.. c. What does this verse contribute to our overall subject? Allow others to see You in everything I do and the gratefulness in my heart for the privilege of serving You. for choosing to use ordinary, average people like us to impact the world.
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