3) HEARING GOD'S WORD It is important for a deacon's meeting to begin with an encouraging Word from God. 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.". #2 - Plan the meeting carefully. July 2022 - Honoring God with Our Giving. Never leave my side. Im not going to list prayer as a way to improve meetings, because we all know that. And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. Recalibrate our intentions and refocus our hearts. To find the full context of shorter scripture quotes, click on "Chapter" above each verse. May all glory go up to You when we reach the finish line and climb over benchmarks. As we gather today around your name, we pray that you would fill our hearts, our minds and our souls. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. Diaconal Ministries of Canada (DMC) has created a set of 12 devotions, designed specifically for deacon meetings, based on the charge to the deacons. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. Give me patience, dependability, and a continued, trustworthy reputation. What do these verses teach about pastoral ministry? Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. C Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. What truths was Paul trying to emphasize to these Ephesian elders? 2.7 Short Funny Devotionals for Essential Oils Users. 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. Let all things be done for building up. Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:8-18. . 6. Make us both blameless in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. 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. rather than doing business as usual, using a meeting or a part of a retreat to have a foot-washing service together. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 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. Give me peace of mind in obedience and service. 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. II. The deacon title derives from a general Greek word that describes the work of a servant (diakonos). And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 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. We love your comments! 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. What then is Apollos? Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus. 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. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. . What is Paul? Humble us in our servanthood and use us for Your will. Having set forth the qualifications for elders, Paul now does the same for deacons. To help focus on the TASK at hand, each agenda item should be labeled clearly, so that the group knows exactly what it needs to do with that agenda item. Ephesians 4:11-16 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something . Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. 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. 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. 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. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Make [their] heart[s] like yours so [they] may love your people. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? 33 I have coveted no ones silver or gold or clothes. Acts 6: The First Deacons. . All rights reserved. May we discharge the duties of our office as Christ's ministers of mercy. Required fields . 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. 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. These. conduct our work with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. When you are a pastor or administrator, you need to plan the meeting just like any other event where your group can focus on resolving important issues. It will involve you in followup on decisions from the last meeting, and it will help you to think about what you can do ahead of time to help insure that the next meeting is a good one. b. Do it by email, or do it by snail mail, or do it by using church mailboxes. Proverbs 24:10 4. Honor widows who are truly widows. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. 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. read more. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need. Remind me daily that it is an honor to be Your hands and feet. 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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.. #4 - Use simple parliamentary rules. Devotions for Church Meetings Full All 20 devotions 1. First, theres just no getting around it, somebody has to do some good preparation, and that usually falls to the chair. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 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. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. All of our devotions have a printable option at the bottom of each page if you wish to print. Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. 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. Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. Bible verses related to Deacons from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. We humbly ask that You make us worthy to be Your servants. K We ask that we would challenge each other to reach higher and farther to be the best we can be. All rights reserved. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. 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. 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 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. 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. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. 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. Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. I want to do my best for You, and I need Your help to do that. Read Chapter All Versions 1 Timothy 3:8-13 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 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. They answer to the pastor as well as the congregation. Nov 23, 2022 - Explore Lorna Andrejewski's board "Deacon meeting" on Pinterest. 2. 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 Your light in me shine brightly for all to see. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that it is not me speaking, but You through me. 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. Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff H What does the Bible say about Deacons? OK, you are on your way to consistently great meetings. Give me a generous spirit when I am tired but needed. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. For things to be done decently and in order, we must have a rule of order. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 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. Bible scholars are generally agreed that the "office" of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-7, where the early church selected seven men to assist the apostles in caring for the needs of the widows in the early church. 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. And they were accompanying him to the ship. Key Bible Passages on Pastors and Deacons. - Sort By Book Order. Deacons are to control their appetites either for alcohol or money (v. 8). Create in us an everlasting determination to grow Your kingdom that produces good fruit. The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. So, if you want the real Jell-O, do not be deceived by the Snack Pack. We can not comprehend the number of blessings you pour out on us from day to day. 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. However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. 1. M Month-by-month lectionary readings . 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. I am so blessed to have Your mercy, grace, and love. To help focus on the TASK at hand, each agenda item should be labeled clearly, so that the group knows exactly what it needs to do with that agenda item. A chair who signals to her group that she really values them and respects them, is on the way to a good meeting. The New American Standard Bible. It will also increase your ability to use Scripture as you minister to those inside and outside of the church. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2.4 Short Devotionals for Young Women. Robert's Rules Of Orderis a handy reference to have on hand, but it is somewhat too detailed for the typical business meeting in a small, Baptist church. Every deacon Grant us his help, that we may be able to establish who are the ones that are truly in need. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. Bible verses related to Deacon Duties from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. 1:1). Here are 10 powerful prayers for deacons. Focus our work on the good things that can only come from You. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. 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. on 08/23/2019. Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God? Salem Media Group. 11 In the same way, their wives are to be Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. Ephesians 6:18 Whether you are headed into a work meeting that needs guidance and wisdom or gathering as a small group or church, these opening prayers will set your focus on God's will. 2.5 Short Devotions on Encouragement for Moms. For Hard Times For Financial Prosperity For Physical Health For Emotional Health For Protection For a Marriage For Babies and Pregnancy For Family For Spiritual Warfare For Spiritual Health For a Death For the Workplace For Bedtime, Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 18 Strong Prayers for a New Place to Live, Righteousness Exalts a Nation Meaning and Meditation, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Prayer should be biblically informed. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. The word "deacon" means "servant." It was used of those who waited on tables serving food and did menial work.1 Deacons are the servants of the church. You are free to use any of our devotions. Discover the top Bible verses about Deacons from the Old and New Testaments. The process of preparing a good agenda demands thought and prayer. Couples Spiritual Weapon Prayer Lord of Heavens Armies, bless my wife as she works and prays daily to be molded into the image of You. Options to hear God's Word may be: a) Through a Relevant Bible Passage Select a Bible passage that relates to diaconal ministry. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Help me to persevere in all I do in Your mighty name. Leading Others to God Prayer Light in the Darkness, keep my heart pure, let me do all that I can to lead others to You. Ladies' Dinner and Bible 0 Comments Add a Comment Cancel. I commit everything I have and everything I am to You, Lord God. 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. 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. Transform us Lord, and make us more like you. 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. 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. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 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 . They are to pass the test of public scrutiny (v. 10). June 2022 - Called to Serve. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Prayer For Deacons Meeting Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. 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. Overcoming Roadblocks in Ministry - Devotions for Deacons. Bless, we pray, our work of mercy that we all may praise and thank you, while we await the blessed appearance of your Son, Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sakes that he might enrich us with eternal treasures. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. There are two offices necessary to the church: pastors and deacons. I am Your servant and will go wherever You lead me. 2. 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. - Sort By Book Order. Help us plant seeds of hope and faith in eternal life with You. A Bit of Clay Anytime; Pentecost 2. Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. Updated June 01, 2022. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Amen. Deacons Meeting Use chat feature below to be counted and heard. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. each other to excellence. November 2022 - A Spiritually Healthy Church. 4. 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. Your will for our lives does not always reflect our plans. Open our eyes to see what you are doing in our lives. Call it Personal Time, and make it part of opening devotions. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. Stephen's life shows that he received both these things: He received honor (high standing) because he had the privilege of giving up his entire life in one moment for the glory of Christ. This can satisfy the craving on the part of some for relational time, and it can lead easily and directly into prayer time. #3 - Be prepared to lead the meeting, Remember, leadership is priceless. Proud member 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. Make me Your vessel, dear God. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. Or am I trying to please man? Agenda Templates 10+ Church Meeting Agenda Templates in PDF | DOC. As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). I am Yours. Finally, they are to be faithful to their spouse and manage their children and home with integrity (v. 12). Phil. 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. 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.