1 / 40

Understanding the Deacon Ministry: Purpose, Preparation, Practice

Explore the essential principles of the Deacon ministry as outlined by Dr. John Piper, focusing on spiritual leadership, qualifications, and practical applications in church management and service. Discover the importance of spiritual growth and intellectual development in serving effectively.

kshuler
Download Presentation

Understanding the Deacon Ministry: Purpose, Preparation, Practice

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. WELCOME!

  2. PREPARATION PURPOSE PRACTICE Introduction to the Deacon Ministry:

  3. The Deacon in Purpose

  4. A Practical and Biblical Definition • Dr. John Piper • Spiritual Leadership is knowing where God wants people to be and taking the initiative to use God’s methods to get them there in reliance on God’s power.

  5. What should a Deacon Know? • A Deacon should know • G-d’s Agenda • G-d’s Motivation • G-d’s Methods • G-d’s Power

  6. G-d’s Agenda • His Agenda • G-d wants people to know Him (Jer. 9:23,24; John 12:32) • G-d wants His people to glorify Him (1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Tim. 1:17) • G-d wants His people to grow in the faith and to become imitators of Christ (Gal. 4:19; Romans 8:29,30)

  7. G-d’s Motivation • Motivated by Mercy • Romans 12:1

  8. G-d’s Methods • His Spirit and Power • G-d has always led His people by His Spirit and Power • G-d wants us to led His people by His Spirit • Romans 8:14 & John 16:13

  9. Take A Break

  10. A Definition • The word Deacon is translated from the Greek word Diakonos, it literally means servant.

  11. The Deacon in Preparation

  12. Role and Responsibilities • Administrative (1 Timothy 3:8) • Self Management • Church Management • Theological Order (1 Timothy 3:9,10) • Tested • Theological Knowledge • Church Order (1 Timothy 3:12) • Family Order • Congregational Order • Physical Needs (Acts 6:2)

  13. Qualification • Acts 6:1-6 • HONEST • FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT • FULL OF WISDOM • FULL OF FAITH • FULL OF POWER

  14. Qualifications • I Timothy 3:8-13 1. SERIOUS PURPOSE 2. HONEST IN SPEECH 3. TEMPERATE IN LIVING

  15. Qualifications • I Timothy 3:8-13 4. STEWARD OF POSSESSIONS 5. SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY 6. PROVED SPIRITUAL MATURITY 7. CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE

  16. Are You Overwhelmed Yet?

  17. Two Areas • Spiritual Growth Development • Intellectual Growth

  18. Spiritual Growth • 2 Peter 1:3:8 • Spiritual Growth - What is it? • Taking the initiative and responsibility for your spiritual maturity. • Developing a strategic plan of action for your spiritual growth.

  19. Spiritual Growth • increasing in your knowledge and understanding of God's Word, • decreasing in your frequency and severity of sin, • increasing in your practice of Christ-like qualities, and • increasing in your faith and trust in God. Perhaps the best summary of spiritual growth is becoming more like Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it truly means to be spiritual.

  20. Plan of Action • 7 Habits of Spiritual Mature Christians • In order to growth we need to • Eat the daily bread of the word every day • Breathe in the Holy Spirit by constantly depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit • Cleanse our souls by consistent genuine confession and repentance • Care for our spiritual family by initiating G-dly edifying fellowship • Respond to G-d’s mercy and grace by serving others • Protect our hearts and minds from the devil, the world and the flesh • Give of our time and money to the kingdom of G-d

  21. Gallop Poll • We are having a revival of feelings but not knowledge of G-d. The church today is more guided by feelings than by convictions. We value enthusiasm more than informed commitment. • Shifting away from biblical facts to emotional responses • Shifting from the mind to the emotions

  22. Intellectual Growth • Romans 12:1,2 • Transform • Renew (The Mind) • Matthews 22:37-39 • Heart • Soul • Mind • 1 Peter 3:15 • Sanctify our Hearts (Mind) • Always ready (Intellectual Readiness) • Make a defense (Apologia)

  23. Plan of Action • Dare to Admit that there is a problem • Dare to be Different • Dare to Change your Habits • Dare to be patient and resilient • Dare to be a lover of words • Dare to establish goals • Dare to commit to truth and reason • Dare to accept the consequences

  24. Resources • Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem • Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter • Deacon Handbook by First Baptist Church, Garland Texas • Training the Servant Leader by Roland C. Roland C. Bailey • The Servant-Leader Within: A Transformative Path by Robert K. Greenleaf • Love Your God With All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland • Who Qualifies To Be A Church Leader? By Martin R. De Haan II • Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley

  25. Resources • www.bible.org • www.allaboutgod.org

  26. The Deacon in Practice

  27. Servant-Leadership

  28. Case #1 Family Order • One of your deacons is struggling with biblical order in his home. His wife is a public gossiper. She constantly complains about everything and everyone. She disrespects him in public. The children are undisciplined. During church service they disrupt the service. When corrected the children refuse to obey. In one occasion the child stuck her tongue out at a church member. What should you do and why?

  29. Case #2 Theological Order • Your pastor will be going on a vacation. He will not be able to preach for four Sundays. What will be your criteria for choosing a preacher? Who would you pick and why did you pick this particular person?

  30. Case #3 Administrative and Physical Needs • Several members of your church are not tithing nor are they giving an offering. But, when they are in a financial crises they seek the deacons help. Should the deacons help? Why or why not? How would you approach this situation?

  31. Case #4 Church Order • One of the members continues to commit adultery. However, he keeps asking for forgiveness and he cries every time he is caught. He has a great job and he provides for his family. What should the deacons do in a such a situation?

  32. Responses • Biblical • Constitutional • Denominational • Sympathetic • Rational

More Related