We come to you this hour asking for your blessing and help as we are gathered together. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. for choosing to use ordinary, average people like us to impact the world. 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. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. As I continue the path of being a deacon in my church, I ask that You give me the words I need to help those who come to me. 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. 3. I am Yours. Honor widows who are truly widows. read more. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. 1 Timothy 3:8 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Acts 6:1-15 - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the . The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. 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. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. What do these verses teach about pastoral ministry? Like deacons, elders live sincere, generous, faithful, self-controlled lives. I don't believe deacons "run" the church. . c. What does this verse contribute to our overall subject? The Network is a collection of content posted by members of our online community. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. May all glory go up to You when we reach the finish line and climb over benchmarks. Why was the office of deacon instituted? If you have short devotions that you wish to share, please contact us. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. 5. He is the source of all the direction we need. Give me a discerning mind to know your truth. They are students of Scripture, holding to sound theology. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. We might even want to call someone to check something out before the meeting. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive. It will also increase your ability to use Scripture as you minister to those inside and outside of the church. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need. #1 - Have a written agenda and give each of the deacons a copy. Here are 10 powerful prayers for deacons. V In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". 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 us bring love where there is hatred, healing where there is injury, faith where there is doubt, and hope where there is despair. Romans 16:1: A Female Deacon (Deaconess) In Acts 6:3, the apostles appoint seven male deacons: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. D For he is God's servant for your good. 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. 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. Help all of the teachers to be able I Focus our work on the good things that can only come from You. 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. To find the full context of shorter scripture quotes, click on "Chapter" above each verse. Devotions for Church Meetings Full All 20 devotions 1. Deacons are an example to people. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 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. Ready us to make every moment count. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Thank You for allowing service to Your Church to be the mission of our lives. Take what we have prepared and multiply our efforts as only You can. Use your departure as a time to thank God and ask for His protection and blessings. 2.3 Short Inspirational Devotions for Women Who Love Christian Fiction. Make me step out and take up new adventures. The Scriptures teach us that all things should be done in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40). Christ is the Head, Elders are the physical leaders of the church, deacons fall under the . Bonus points if they get connected in the Young . He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Acts 6:1-6 - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a . Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The Lord's Servants Read the Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Let us always overcome. 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 . Q And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Romans 8:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful "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. on 08/23/2019. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. G c. What warnings do we find here, both for pastors and church members? Couples Prayer for Support Dear Jesus, as my wife and I strive to live as pure and honorable Christians in this secular world, stay near us and guide us to be Your righteous and faithful servants. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.". Make me Your vessel, dear God. Devotions and prayers suggested for daily meditation and prayer Lectionary readings Lectionary readings provide a disciplined way to read through the Bible. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Remind me daily that it is an honor to be Your hands and feet. Do not wait for that to happen in the meeting. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes! August 2022 - The Priority of Prayer. 2.4 Short Devotionals for Young Women. Y I need to be able to reach over and take Your hand at a moments notice. Acts 20:17-38 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 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. The prototypical . What does the Bible say about Deacons? Give me patience, dependability, and a continued, trustworthy reputation. Amen. 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. What leaders are being spoken of here (cf. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Deacons' Meetings. Here is a beautiful prayer to use in closing your time together. We know that when we gather together, You always have a divine agenda. Let us marvel at your good gifts and your wise provision. Take Away My Worry Prayer Dear God of All Comfort, thank You for all that You have given me. b. b. 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 . 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. 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. Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently. N Though our circumstances will be unfair from time to time in this life, You are always our unwavering protector and shield (Psalm 3:3). Open our eyes to see what you are doing in our lives. We pray for guidance in the matters at hand and ask that you would clearly show us how to Help us to share Your word and Your truth with all who enter our presence. ( 1 Tim 3:13, NKJV) This statement foreshadows two eventual, compelling benefits for those who carry out their duties well. B.S. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. Do it by email, or do it by snail mail, or do it by using church mailboxes. Many pastors like to have a list of devotions that they can give to others as well as use in their own personal life. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. Allow us to work together as a team to confront struggles of every kind, at home, in the church, and in our community. Amen. Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. Oh, right, we did that part already. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Amen. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Reset our agendas, as we sit in Your presence. #3 - Be prepared to lead the meeting, Remember, leadership is priceless. Updated June 01, 2022. Ephesians 2:8 tells us, " For by grace are ye saved through faith.". First, theres just no getting around it, somebody has to do some good preparation, and that usually falls to the chair. For things to be done decently and in order, we must have a rule of order. Let all things be done for building up. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. 2023 Christian Reformed Church in North America. Thank you for the roles of deacon, elder, and minister and for the uniqueness each brings to the table. Salem Media Group. Help me to be a motivator and a spiritual weapon for her. 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. Having a good agenda in hand 2 or 3 days before the meeting is important. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 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. Work in and through me, Jesus. Thats assumed. Love you guys. They were faithful in their time. They are to pass the test of public scrutiny (v. 10). January 2023 - A Biblical View of Church Membership. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Publisher: OpenBible.info. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. The expectations for elders differ from those of deacons in a one critical way. Publication date: Feb 25, 2023. Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. The church secretary will record the church meeting minutes to distribute to all attendees and relevant absentees after the meeting has adjourned. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. TopicalBible 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. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God suppliesin order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.). Amen. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain. Ways to improve your next deacons' meeting - not painless steps to take, but they WILL reduce pain in the meeting! Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Lead us to them and help us to distribute the offerings that have been collected in a spirit of joy, fidelity, and liberality. Im not going to list prayer as a way to improve meetings, because we all know that. How would these passages help us understand the purpose of a deacons meeting? Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 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. 2023 Christian Reformed Church in North America. Remind us of Your faithful provision when our efforts fail us or fall short. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Thank You for giving me this opportunity to work for You. A Bit of Clay Anytime; Pentecost 2. We ask that we would challenge each other to reach higher and farther to be the best we can be. Church Membership of officers in Deacons. And they were accompanying him to the ship. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. The Bible teaches that all persons who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are priests with direct access to God (1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). b. I know you have strong feelings about keyboards, and so I wanted to have a conversation with you before the meeting to make sure you dont feel blind-sided, and help you feel assured that well handle this in a way that feels respectful to you.. Those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. If no one does, expect the meeting to show it. I will tend to the poor and the hungry, the sick and the discarded. Service Times8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. 1920 Northwestern AveWest Lafayette, IN 47906, Biblical Counseling in Winter Break Childcare, The Hope of Avoiding Poisonous Responses to Trials. C The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. From this text and elsewhere, we know that the Bible recognizes two offices within the church: elder and deacon (cf. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. Here are 10 powerful prayers for deacons. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. In standard usage, it described someone devoted to carrying out the commands, accomplishing the will, or meeting the needs of another person. Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. 2.6 Short Morning Devotions for Couples. b. . Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. Finally, they are to be faithful to their spouse and manage their children and home with integrity (v. 12). 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. A.The Problem (verse 1)-Greek-speaking Jewish widows being overlooked in the distribution . Read through the biblical references of Deacons to learn more about its meaning and significance. You are God's field, God's building. This can satisfy the craving on the part of some for relational time, and it can lead easily and directly into prayer time. The men seek God's mind, heart, and guidance. Daily/Sunday Lectionary Readings Lectionary Frequently Asked Questions Printable lectionary lists. For You assure us that where two or more gather in Your name You are here. F Kindle fervent love for the needy in the hearts of your people, that they may generously contribute to them as your stewards. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. 2. A Thank You Will Do Thanksgiving; Celebrations 4. Agenda Templates 10+ Church Meeting Agenda Templates in PDF | DOC. 4. So, we need to read all of Scripture in light of the whole Bible. 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. The Network is a collection of content posted by members of our online community. His point here is that deacons are to have an upright character which is an example to people in the church. Allow both my wife and me to be encouragers, supporters, and smile-makers, not only at church but everywhere we go. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Which in turn can easily become part of opening devotions. II. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 24 And the Lords bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. I am so blessed to have Your mercy, grace, and love. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Your acts are amazing Lord. 3:2). His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you.. 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. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. So each agenda item will be labeled one of three ways: for information, for discussion or advice (to someone, for example the pastor or a deaconal subcommittee), or for decision. We have talents, abilities, and time to work. Make [them] fertile ground for your inspiration and love. October 2022 - Sacrifice for God and Others. 8. As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). 1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; (Read More.) Proud member First Corinthians 12:5 tells us that "there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord." Ministries in that verse is also diakonia. Psalm 32:8 2. OK, you are on your way to consistently great meetings. Give us your grace to relieve needs by means of material gifts and to instill the comfort of your holy Word into the hearts of the afflicted, that they may put their trust in you alone. But qualifications for a deacon's character are clearly outlined in Scripture. Loving heavenly Father, 2.5 Short Devotions on Encouragement for Moms. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. Deacons Meeting Use chat feature below to be counted and heard. 2. R The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. "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. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Online Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023. This allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). Everyone must guard himself against the various foes that threaten to rob us of our joy in the Lord, our usefulness in the kingdom, our relationships with our brothers and sisters, and our leadership of our home. Comfort me when I question myself and my ministry. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. Dashes January; to memorialize someone 6. After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. Shift our perspective to seek Your peace above all else. So now we are ready to invest a bit of effort and time, because we are MOTIVATED to improve those meetings! To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Deacons are to be problem solvers and preservers of church harmony. He is a God of love: if you would give . Let each one take care how he builds upon it. I wanted to briefly share what our meeting will look . Give me the courage to overcome my shyness and be more social to further the impact I make in Your holy name. I want to do my best for You, and I need Your help to do that. Setting a specific time for this meets a need, builds community, and reassures people who get quickly impatient with it because they know it has a specific boundary around it. Help me to devote my life to best supporting the elders of the church and the congregation. A Deacon's Relationship to the Church Membership at Large The deacons are to be active in ministry to the church family, promoting peace, harmony and a spirit of cooperation among the membership. 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. I need to visit more, share stories more, and fellowship more. Meetings are a way to strengthen ties within a group of staff whether it is a work or religious place; in any of them, its members share and open their minds and hearts to learn about others and also know a little more about others oneself. 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. Is anyone among you sick? 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.. Prayer should be biblically informed. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. We have an idea, a vision, hints, and daily instructions. A church meeting agenda is an outlined plan for a church administrative meeting. We might even want to call someone to check something out before the meeting. 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. It can be so vast and open ended that it's difficult to know what to focus on. 7 And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. U Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. That means we must begin with an understanding of biblical complementarity in Genesis 1, 2, and 3. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. September 2022 - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Deacons are to control their appetites either for alcohol or money (v. 8). Giving My Best to God Prayer Dear Christ in Heaven, please give me the strength, energy, and endurance to be a tireless servant in Your Church who spreads Your love.