Deacons

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Deacons

• Their Key Role in Gods Authorized Organizational
  Structure for the Local Church

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What is a deacon?

• Diakonos
• a servant, a helper
• most often used in a general way
• sometimes used to refer to an office within the
  church

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How is diakonos used?

• Examples
• Apostles (Mk. 935)
• Household (Jn. 25)
• Government (Rom. 134)
• Christ (Rom. 158)
• Phoebe (Rom. 161)
• Satans ministers (2 Cor. 1115)
• Preacher (1 Tim. 46)

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An official position within the church

• Philippians 11
• Saints applies to all Christians
• Overseers elders, a group within the saints,
  responsible for the spiritual welfare of the
  saints (Heb. 1317 Acts 2028)
• Deacons servants, a group within the saints,
  responsible for the physical needs of the church
  (Acts 61-6 1 Tim. 38-13)

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Why are deacons needed?(Acts 61-6)

• Elders are to focus on spiritual concerns
  (teaching, shepherding, praying, oversight)
• Deacons are to focus on the physical needs of
  the church
• sickness benevolence place of assembly etc.
• Spiritual physical needs may intertwine
  deacons keep the elders informed

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Duties of Deacons

• Not to preach and teach
• May preach or teach but does so as any other
  member would (Heb 512)

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Duties of Deacons

• Not to preach and teach
• Not to oversee the congregation
• That duty belongs to the elders only (Acts 2028)
• NOT elder-trainees or elder-substitutes
• No voice in decisions except to provide input
  as any other member

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Duties of Deacons

• Not to preach and teach
• Not to oversee the congregation
• Not to pursue own agenda
• Stays within the authority delegated to him by
  the elders

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Duties of Deacons

• Not to preach and teach
• Not to oversee the congregation
• Not to pursue own agenda
• To serve tables (Acts 61-4)
• Helps with the physical needs of the church
• Allows elders to attend to the ministry of the
  word, prayer, and oversight

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How do deacons do it all?

• NOT personally
• Deacons in Acts 6 were put in charge of providing
  food for the widows
• Deacons will organize members to help in their
  areas of responsibility
• They will not relieve members of their duties as
  Christians
• Members need to be prepared to do MORE with
  deacons, not less

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The Church of Christ Its Work
General Observations
What is the Work of the Local Church?

• Edification, i.e. to build up and strengthen
  itself (Eph. 411-16).
• Evangelism - Preach the gospel to the lost (Matt.
  2818-20 Phil. 415-16).
• Benevolence Providing for the needs of
  destitute Christians (Acts 61-4 1 Cor. 161-3)

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Glorifying God in our Public Assemblies A New
Testament church exists to glorify God (Eph.
321 Acts 247). The work of the Lord's church
at Prince Street includes glorifying God through
worshipping Him in spirit and truth (John 424
Acts 242). We will be successful in this work
when every Christian at Prince Street is zealous
to assist in our public worship assemblies in
whatever authorized way God has made them
capable.
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As a male, I am willing to serve God and
brethren in our public worship in the following
ways Leading singing ? Sun a.m. ? Sun
p.m. ? Wed p.m. Leading prayers ?
Opening ? Closing Serving at the Lord's
Table ? Lead thoughts ? Lead
prayers ? Assist w/trays Speaking from God's
Word - Preaching ? Sun
a.m. ? Sun p.m. - Short
talks ? Wed p.m (invitation)
? Participate with
other speakers
on special subject. ? Reading from
the Scriptures ? Making announcements
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I am willing to serve God and my brethren by
helping us be prepared for our public worship in
the following ways ? Make assignment list
for men leading in worship ? Help count the
contribution ? Assist in taking the attendance
each assembly ? Coordinate the monthly Wed.
night singings ? Help maintain and operate
audio/visual equipment ? Keep the website up to
date with sermon recordings ? Help with
duplication and distribution of CDs/tapes ?
Bake the bread for the Lord's Supper.
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I am willing to serve God and my brethren by
helping us be prepared for our public worship in
the following ways ? Help clean the church
building and prepare the Lord's Supper
trays (on a monthly rotation) ? Help clean the
baptistry ? Clean baptismal clothing after each
baptism and maintain changing rooms
(towels, etc.) ? Help with lawn care at the
church building (on a monthly rotation) ?
Help with maintenance work on the church
building (Please indicate any special
skills or experience, e.g. carpentry,
electrical, etc.)
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Glorifying God in the Work of Edification A New
Testament church exists to glorify God (Eph.
321 Acts 247). The work of the Lord's church
at Prince Street includes glorifying God through
developing to maturity in Christ (Acts 242 Eph.
411-16 Heb. 511-14). We will be successful in
this work when every Christian at Prince Street
is growing in knowledge and application of the
Word.
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I am willing to involve myself in growing and
helping others grow as disciples in the following
ways In our classes at the church building ?
Teaching a Bible class - as assigned by the
elders (indicate preferred ages on Chart
below). ? Assisting a more experienced teacher
- as assigned by the elders (indicate
preferred ages on Chart below). ? Making
bulletin boards for classrooms for a teacher. ?
Preparing materials and teaching aids for a
class. ? Helping to maintain the Resource
Center/Library. ? Participating in a teacher
training program to train myself to teach
better.
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I am willing to involve myself in growing and
helping others grow as disciples in the following
ways In Bible Studies outside our regular
meeting times ? Conducting a private study to
help ground a new Christian in the faith.
Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri.
Sat. Sun.
(please circle days) in
the ? Daytime ? Evening
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I am willing to involve myself in growing and
helping others grow as disciples in the following
ways In Bible Studies outside our regular
meeting times ? Hosting a private or
small-group study with other Christians in
my home. Mon. Tue. Wed.
Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
(please circle days)
in the ? Daytime ? Evening
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I am willing to involve myself in growing and
helping others grow as disciples in the following
ways In Bible Studies outside our regular
meeting times ? Participating in small-group
classes in another member's home. ?
Participating in some weekend special workshops
or topical studies.
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• I am willing to involve myself in growing and
  helping others grow as disciples in the following
  ways
• In Planning/Coordinating
• Helping in the development of new teachers.
• Helping to manage the tract racks and keep them
  neat and full.
• Maintaining and updating the church directory
  on computer.
• Taking pictures for the church directory.

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Glorifying God in the Work of Evangelism A New
Testament church exists to glorify God (Eph.
321 Acts 247). The work of the Lord's church
at Prince Street includes glorifying God through
sharing the Good News about Jesus (Acts 247). We
will be successful in this work when every
Christian at Prince Street is involved in
whatever way God has made them capable.
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• I am willing to involve myself in evangelism
  efforts in the following ways
• Helping as a Supporter
• Write welcome or thank you notes to visitors
  and newcomers
• ? Help with mail outs (address, stamp, stuff
  envelopes)
• ? Supply a list of my acquaintances for
  advertisement mail-outs.
• ? Help with clerical work at the building on.
• Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri.
  Sat. Sun.
  (please circle days)
• for _____ hours beginning at
  _____________

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• I am willing to involve myself in evangelism
  efforts in the following ways
• Helping as an Inviter
• Extend personal invitations to Prince Street
  services (personally or by mail)
• Please supply me with ______ printed cards
  with service times number / week

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I am willing to involve myself in evangelism
efforts in the following ways Helping as a
Teacher or Participant ? Act as a host for
home/group Bible studies. Mon. Tue.
Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
(please circle days)
in the ? Daytime ? Evening ?
Teach home Bible studies. Mon. Tue.
Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
(please circle days)
in the ? Daytime ? Evening
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Duties of the elders to deacons

• Assign deacons work they can do
• Not assigning the work of elders
• Not every deacon is capable in all areas
• Trust deacons to get the work done
• If elders have to watch every step, then deacons
  are not relieving the burdens
• Review the work periodically
• The responsibility still rests with the elders

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Duties of the church to deacons

• Be in subjection (1 Cor 1615-16)
• Accept their judgment on how best to fulfill
  their assigned duties
• Cooperate when called upon to assist
• Show appreciation for their work