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. 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. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says Jesus is accursed! and no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit. The term translated "deacon" simply means servant. Deacon Bonner called meeting to order and then asked if anyone had a scripture on their heart that they wanted to share. So, we need to read all of Scripture in light of the whole Bible. We might even want to call someone to check something out before the meeting. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Dashes January; to memorialize someone 6. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. But do this with gentleness and respect,". Those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. We humbly ask that You make us worthy to be Your servants. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. 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. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Woman's hips extend to new horizons on the east, our. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.read more.Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. So what else? Our hosting of this content does not imply endorsement, nor can we verify the accuracy of user-submitted posts. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. For website questions or corrections, please contact us at [emailprotected]. Online Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023, Orientation Resources for Deacon Leadership. Pray through a passage of Scripture. U Proverbs 3:5-6 3. Nothing is ever in vain, for even mistakes and missteps are used for good. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Beloved, confide in Him. Never leave my side. You don't have deacon's meetings without the pastor present unless your goint to fire him. Help all of the teachers to be able 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. 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. Thank You for allowing service to Your Church to be the mission of our lives. "For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that this in Christ Jesus (1Tim.3:13)." Tonight the leadership (pastor and deacons) of Pleasant Hill Baptist church will meet with a purpose. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. The really good chair will know which agenda item is going to push a particular persons button. Let me put my fears of public speaking and meeting new people behind me and allow me to be all that I can for You. 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. II. 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. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. The Bible says that deacons who serve well (meaning serve effectively) receive a high standing and have confidence in Christ ( I Timothy 3:13 ). Thats assumed. Which in turn can easily become part of opening devotions. Make me fertile ground for your inspiration and love. You are free to use any of our devotions. How do you start your deacon meetings? Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. Updated June 01, 2022. Invite and encourage people to share whats happening in families, at work, whats distracting them right now, whats exciting, whats discouraging, etc. I am Your servant and will go wherever You lead me. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 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. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Call it Personal Time, and make it part of opening devotions. Help me to be a motivator and a spiritual weapon for her. Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Take what we have prepared and multiply our efforts as only You can. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. "I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you." Isaiah 46:4 As we grow older, our bodies begin to change. Psalm 32:8 2. 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. Amen. When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. In a deacons meeting, a shriveled little nay-sayer looked across the way at his pastor and said, "The Bible says the deacons are to handle the business of the church." . Acts 6:1-6 - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a . As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? J Read Steve Viars Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church. Bible verses related to Deacon Duties from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. "Make every effort to preserve the unity the. The word deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. 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. The primary relationship of the deacons to the church is as follows: 1. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. . You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. S Labs Let us always overcome. Give me eyes to see the needs of your people. Many pastors like to have a list of devotions that they can give to others as well as use in their own personal life. A Purposeful Pastor/Deacons Meeting. Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12: Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to "respectable," which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. Make me step out and take up new adventures. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Inspire me with Your wisdom so that my wife and I can work together as a team so I can faithfully fulfill my duties to the church. TopicalBible Grant us his help, that we may be able to establish who are the ones that are truly in need. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus. 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. Salem Media Group. Steer our intentions to align with Your righteous will. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Deacons from generations past are cheering you on from the sidelines of glory. His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you.. Not only could this devotional resource keep our vision fresh, but it also will invite us to explore the meaning of the phrases in the charge of deacons - encouraging us to search for ways to make this come alive in our own contexts. . Do you have feedback? All rights reserved. Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. Having set forth the qualifications for elders, Paul now does the same for deacons. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 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. December 2022 -. Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. A.The Problem (verse 1)-Greek-speaking Jewish widows being overlooked in the distribution . She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Their family lives prove that they apply the truth of Scripture in all areas of their lives. Deacons are to control their appetites either for alcohol or money (v. 8). Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. . Amen. For example, the Bible is the authority for Baptist faith and practice. This allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). The Bible is very clear on how the church should be run. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. You and I must be diligent and watchful so that we are not deceived. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes! Thank you for the roles of deacon, elder, and minister and for the uniqueness each brings to the table. Keep Me Grounded Prayer Lord Jehovah, Self-Existent One, I ask that You keep me grounded and on the path You have for my life. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 1:1). Deacons' Meetings. 2.6 Short Morning Devotions for Couples. 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. 2. I trust in You. 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. Deacon Campbell opened the meeting in prayer promptly at 8:15am. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. October 2022 - Sacrifice for God and Others. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. A Diaconate that PRAYS Together, Stays Together! Let each one take care how he builds upon it. We humbly implore you to dwell among us with the Spirit of discretion. After almost three decades of deacons . God let this meeting be productive and, as should be the case in all areas of our lives, help us to keep You at the forefront of our minds as we do the work set before us. Is the focus of these qualifications on a mans abilities, or his character? 1. I It can be so vast and open ended that it's difficult to know what to focus on. After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 3 But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Help us to understand that we don't need full clarity to walk into the unique purpose You've inlaid in our lives. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 3. He is the source of all the direction we need. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.read more. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. All of our devotions have a printable option at the bottom of each page if you wish to print. That invariably calls for a business meeting. 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 . Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. For things to be done decently and in order, we must have a rule of order. Finally, they are to be faithful to their spouse and manage their children and home with integrity (v. 12). 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. Sculpt us into Your image and make our actions illustrations of Your loving grace. But you have to get there one step at a time. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. That means sitting through lots of less than great ones. Mary the mother of Mark offering her home as a meeting place for the Apostles - Acts 12; Lydia offering hospitality to Paul - Acts 16; Priscilla offering her house to Paul and along with her husband, Aquila, having a Bible study with Apollos - Acts 18 . But it does include specifics on the roles and duties of church leaders. Let us marvel at your good gifts and your wise provision. Publication date: Feb 25, 2023. Remind me that though I fall short of the glory of God, I am Your handiwork and I am enough. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let all things be done for building up. Grant me grace as I age so I may share your wisdom. Give us the desire to find ways to excel in our work. Remind me daily that it is an honor to be Your hands and feet. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 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. 1. 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. Guide My Footsteps Prayer O God, my Promise-Keeper, be with me as I step out every day into the darkness of this world to bear Your light. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. 6. Help us each . And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. But test everything; hold fast what is good. Give her the ability to be who You called her to be and lead me in my guidance of her. Couples Guidance Prayer Righteous Savior, bless my role as a deacon in the church and bless my wife in her support of the work I do in Your name. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that it is not me speaking, but You through me. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Keep love at the forefront of our minds today, and the guiding light for all we set out to accomplish and celebrate. W b. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. His point here is that deacons are to have an upright character which is an example to people in the church. August 2022 - The Priority of Prayer. Amen Prayer Before Sunday School Jesus as we gather together to learn about You, may You meet us here. B.S. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Lift our eyes to seek You first today, and always, surrendering our need to achieve, understand, and be known. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. Please take that worry from me and erase the apprehensiveness in my voice as I talk with others. Bible verses related to Deacons from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. Connect to The Network and add your own question, blog, resource, or job. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. N A Psalm of David. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them,You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Father, Allow us to work together as a team to confront struggles of every kind, at home, in the church, and in our community. Every meeting begins with prayer. That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. Make me a witness for You, Lord. Phil. 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. Let us bring love where there is hatred, healing where there is injury, faith where there is doubt, and hope where there is despair. The world is pulling at us from all sides, but as long as You are near, we will be able to stand firm in You. b. 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. Christ is the Head, Elders are the physical leaders of the church, deacons fall under the . 2.4 Short Devotionals for Young Women. 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. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. ( 1 Tim 3:13, NKJV) This statement foreshadows two eventual, compelling benefits for those who carry out their duties well. They are to teach what is good. Honor widows who are truly widows. View Pastor Viars' Salvation Testimony Video, 5526 State Road 26 EastLafayette, IN 47905. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Time is invested in deacon training. - Sort By Book Order. The church secretary will record the church meeting minutes to distribute to all attendees and relevant absentees after the meeting has adjourned. So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. Agenda Templates 10+ Church Meeting Agenda Templates in PDF | DOC. Prayer For Deacons Meeting Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. 12. 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. OpenBible.info Proverbs 24:10 4. Prayer should be biblically informed. Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. 8.

Sundown Festival Covid, Articles S