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Deacons and the Church

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Sep 8, 2011.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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  2. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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  3. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    I didn't read the entire article, but what seemed interesting to you. What I read was what a Baptist deacon is throughout. Was there something that you disagree with?
     
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    In many churches Deacons act as the "Board of Directors" when their Biblical duties calls for taking care of the physical needs of the church members.
     
  5. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    If the modern church does not adjust to the modern world it will die. Unlike the NT churches, local churches are governed by a Board of Deacons to meet modern requirements of law. Pastors are much more mobile to-day than they were years ago and in NT times. We must adjust. We don't wear sandals and gowns to-day. We wear shoes and trousers.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  6. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I have two copies of Dr. Naylor's The Baptist Deacon. When my father was elected a deacon in the 1950s, the church gave him a copy. When my church chose me to serve as deacon in 1967, it gave me a copy of the same book.

    When I was chosen, our deacons did consider themselves as a "board." In the last 25 years, our deacons have returned to the servant mentality. I believe that mentality has contributed to an excellent relationship between deacons and pastor, and also a unity among our members.

    We have adopted the view that we serve God under our pastor; that he does not work for us. Since he is accountable to God for the church, our deacons tend to give him the benefit of the doubt in matters involving the direction he wants to take the church.

    That said, I doubt that members will ever stop looking for some leadership from the deacons. That's because the deacons are usually some of the wisest and most spiritual men in the church. Their opinions carry weight. They are usually actively involved in the life of the church. Thus, such power flows toward the deacons, even if they don't seek it.

    I am grateful that our deacons do not see their role as running the church.
     
  7. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Jim, your point is well taken. We have sought to spread responsibility and authority over the entire church, not just the deacons. Our church has trustees, who are the legal representatives of the church. They sign all the legal documents. They also serve as what they used to call the House and Grounds committee. That committee takes care of repairs and guides the purchase of related equipment.

    Power is diffused in our church. The Finance Committee prepares and presents the budget for a church vote. The Nominating Committee seeks teachers and other workers for the church, Sunday School, Transportation, etc.

    The pastor always has input into those functions, but does not control them. His views carry a great deal of weight, but he prefers to delegate instead of dictate.

    Ultimately, the congregation has the last word, of course.
     
  8. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    [SIZE=+0]Now if we could just get our Baptist churches to follow this and obey the word of God as this does show what the intent of a Deacon is to be and not some board to do church business as most Baptist churches use them for. The improper use of Deacons in my opinion is one reason we are seing Southern Baptists and probably others as well on the decline. Good article. [/SIZE]:thumbs:
     
  9. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Yes just another excuse to turn our back on the word of God As it is written;
    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
    And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables

    For some the word of God is no longer relevant in this world. For others it is the only light and guide.
    The turning from the word to do things our own way is the reason that the church in Canada, England, and much of the US is dead. Truly we are seeing the falling away in progress.
     
  10. Jeremiah2911

    Jeremiah2911 Member
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    Amen! Thank you for sharing that! I'm afraid that I am one of those who made the mistake early in my ministry of asking men to consider to be deacons for the sole purpose we needed more men to handle communion [how Biblical is that!] Now I have a couple deacons who are there about half the time [which causes total confusion to new believers] and are forcing me to make those dreaded "difficult" decisions! God bless
     
  11. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    As the church looks more and more like the world, it will blend in and not be distinctive.
    The church is growing the fastest where there is persecution.
     
  12. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    In our Church, the spiritually leadership is under the Elder Board, and the Sr pastor is the Sr elder...

    Board handles the Budget/spirititual matters etc

    While the 'Staff" such as Business manager/Treasurer etc handle the day to day operation of the Church

    No Deacons at present time....
     
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    We have one elder. We call him pastor.
     
  14. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Who governs the church when the pastor leaves?

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  15. mandym

    mandym New Member

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    If the pastor is leading in discipleship then each area of the church should have leaders in place to care for that particular ministry. When the pastor is gone things should carry on just the same.
     
  16. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    In our church, the congregation looks to the deacons for leadership, but basically governs itself. Committees continue to operate, teachers continue to teach, etc. Staff members continue to do their jobs. We will also look for leadership from the interim pastor.

    Of course, it is not the same without the permanent pastor, but things move right along.
     
  17. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    This is the reason that the church needs to be set up as God intended and have others who meet the qualifications to be elders that can step in if needed. God's standards are not the problem, but men's hearts are and those who have surrendered to Him in faith seek diligently to follow His standard instead of ignoring them and following their own.
     
    #17 freeatlast, Sep 10, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 10, 2011
  18. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't the Bible support/teach us that we can expect to have a plurality of leadership in local church?

    think that same Greek used is translated into english as Bishop/Elder/pastor/overseer ...

    And that appears to show us that God would OK having a pastor AND others as Elders to handle 'spiritual leadership" within local Church!

    Not saying that your church is doing ANYTHING wrong, just saying that might be able to have more "in charge" per the Lord!
     
  19. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    When a pastor started a church in the NT I am sure that many attending were non-believers and most who were believers were very young in the faith. Elders were both appointed and chosen.

    The number is not so important as the quality and maturity of the person.
     
  20. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    No, the Bible does not teach an oligarchical ("plurality of elders") scheme. The Presbyterian Book of Order is where that comes from.

    No. Bishop, elder, and pastor are three distinct Greek words.

    More than all the saints?
    Tom: "the congregation basically governs itself"
     
    #20 Jerome, Sep 12, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2011
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