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WHAT needs are worth attending to?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by rbell, Jan 19, 2008.

  1. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    In another thread, the necessity of deacons was a topic. The follwing scripture was mentioned:

    SFIC then gave this (good, IMO) explanation:

    He then asked:

    So, here's my question:

    Flesh out the concept of "waiting tables."
    • What needs (physical or otherwise) of church folk should deacons be filling?
    • At what point are deacons doing too much for church folks...e.g., they begin to "enable" behavior by doing things for people they should be doing themselves? (an extreme example would be cleaning the yard up for an able-bodied, lazy man...but I think you get the picture).
    • What are some needs that you think the duties of pastor and deacon overlap?
    Get as specific as you'd like...but the more specific, the better I think this topic will get......
     
  2. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    at our church the practice is that the deacons care for the widowed and/or elderly members. They do things for those placed in their care, such as mow their lawn, shovel snow, basic little repairs or maintenance.......perhaps other things also based on what the person needs and/or their physical shortcomings.

    The deacons aren't 'enabling' them because they are helping those who cannot help themselves any longer, or who have no one else but us as their support system. An able-bodied lazy man would not have his own specific deacon assigned to his family - now if he were truly disabled permanently, then he might.

    I think the overlapping duties would first of all be hospital visits.....I believe the deacon and the pastor should both be making an effort to visit the church members who are hospitalized - especially major hospitalizations and/or times of grief and loss.
     
    #2 bapmom, Jan 19, 2008
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2008
  3. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Our church might be a little different than other churches - so take that into consideration.

    We have now 11 pastors (got 2 more last week! LOL). Each one has a specific area of responsibility and it's our senior pastor who has the primary responsibility of doing all of the preaching. The other pastors do such things as being responsible for missions and the missionaries, being the primary teacher for our school of Christian ministry, counseling and recovery ministries, youth, all church business, worship, etc. The deacons are responsible for making some of the decisions of the church - much of it budget and working with the pastors in regards to the direction the church is heading. The deacons also make decisions on salaries and such.

    As for the idea of dealing with the needs of the congregation, we have small groups that are there to help assist these other needs. The small group leader knows each of the members of their small group and can know the real and perceived needs of their members. For those who are not in small groups, it's a little harder but then one of the pastors will usually learn of any need and will then let whoever needs to know about the need. Many of the pastors and deacons are also small group leaders as well as some other members of the congregation, so there's a multiplicity of ministry through this situation.

    I have to say that I've seen needs met that really needed to be met and I've only seen a few cases of those needs not really being needs. But then it's usually discovered relatively quickly and those people are then asked to stand up for themselves and we won't help them anymore. Having the small groups makes a larger church be like a small community where people know what's going on in each other's lives - and it helps a lot.
     
  4. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Our deacons visit our elderly and shut ins, if someone in the church needs to be taken somewhere and is unable to do it themselves or have someone do it a deacon will, frequently a widow will need deacon help, it might be home maintenance or yard work. And they are available for spiritual counseling if anyone wants to seek them out for it. There are other things, I just don't know all about them.
     
  5. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Our deacons are a board, and they run things quite a bit. We're without a senior pastor right now, and alot of people think its fine that they're "in power". I think it stinks.
     
  6. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Please pray for us to get some deacons...
    I only have one right now, and he is up in yrs...

    He has a heart of Gold, and is a true deacon... a true servant... but his health is slowly failing...
     
  7. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

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    My brother pastored a small Baptist church in Ky. and he only had one Deacon. He was a good man but left the church due to the extremely disruptive effect of the part-time minister of music who later was fired. I know that's difficult and I'll pray for your church.
     
  8. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    I don't think the original seven did all the serving. They were appointed to oversee that the physical needs of the church were met. The apostles/pastors are appointed to oversee the ministry of the Word. In my church, it's kind of like a separation of powers.

    Authority is vested in the congregation. A layman is moderator during the business meetings.

    The deacons oversee the money, and give an account to the congregation. (The pastor can't write a check.)

    The pastor oversees the preaching of the Word and the doctrinal content of the teaching and preaching that goes on.
     
  9. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    (Got interrupted and had to sign off.)

    Now to answer the question. All that the church "owns" is actually the property of the poor, and the poor is who should benefit. Now, who are the poor?

    As a general rule, widows and orphans who have no family whatever who should care for them, and who have no independent financial means.

    Who are not the poor? Those who mismanage their money or who through vice or slothfulness squander their substance.

    Everything in between is discretionary.
     
  10. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

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    Where do you find a Biblical justification for this definition? I'm sure you can find it on a right wing political party's agenda. Would the prodigal have been treated the way he was if this was a Biblical position? He was the poster boy for everything you reject.
     
  11. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    For starters try 2 Thess. 3:10, 1 Tim. 5:8-16, James 1:27.

    Huh? Scripturally, civil government is not for the purpose of charity, but I don't find many right wing political pundits saying any such thing.

    I don't recall reading that the Prodigal Son received disbursements from any deacon.
     
  12. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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  13. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

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    The prodigal son squandered his inheritance but then was received with thankfulness by his Father. Are deacons special? Any of these questions regarding deacons can be applied to any Christian.
     
  14. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    From the whole purpose of the office of deacon.
     
  15. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    I'm sorry Aaron, I think I need it spelled out more for me


    the office of deacon in the Bible was initially formed to help wait tables and do the menial physical aid to widows and fatherless. How is that giving all the church property to the poor?

    I guess your comment just got me curious - but I suppose it really doesn't have anything to do with the OP....sorry
     
    #15 bapmom, Feb 1, 2008
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2008
  16. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    The deacons oversee the disbersement of the resources of the church, and their primary duty is the care of the poor, that is those who are widows and orphans indeed. As observed by John Calvin:
     
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