1. What we know about Biblical Deacons
1.1. Direct quotes from Dresselhaus, Richard L.. Deacon Ministry: Empowering Volunteers
1.2. The deacon always speaks well of the Church, knowing it is the body of Christ.
1.3. The deacon’s heart is set to serve the Church and see it prosper in every way.
1.4. The deacon uses every resource to avoid rifts and division—and the ridicule and reproach that they bring.
1.5. The deacon loves the Church, as Christ loves the Church, and is willing to give his life for her.
2. Other requirements
2.1. Attend 4 out of 6 weeks on average as a minimum
2.2. Be willing to give time
2.3. Attend monthly meeting
2.4. Attend an annual retreat
2.5. Saved, baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit
2.6. Abide by the 16 fundamental truths
2.7. Tithe
3. How to irritate Jesus
3.1. Mark 9:33 (NLT) 33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”
3.2. Mark 9:34 (NLT) 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
3.3. Mark 9:35 (NLT) 35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
3.4. Mark 9:36 (NLT) 36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,
3.5. Mark 9:37 (NLT) 37 “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
3.5.1. A child was the least likely person to pay attention to.
3.5.2. If we serve those we "perceive" to be below us, we are serving Jesus.
4. Intro
4.1. What it is now
4.2. Why it has taken this long
4.3. Why now is the time
4.4. 1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT) 1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”
4.5. It is a big deal
4.5.1. 1 Timothy 3:10 (NLT) 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
5. Qualifications
5.1. Nominated
5.1.1. Acts 16:2 (NLT) 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium,
5.1.2. Nominations are a biblical first step
5.2. Above Reproach
5.2.1. 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach...
5.2.2. Titus 1:6 (NLT) 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.
5.2.3. Acts 6:3 (NLT) 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
5.3. Faithful to wife
5.3.1. 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) ... He must be faithful to his wife...
5.4. Exercise self-control
5.4.1. 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) ...He must exercise self-control...
5.4.2. Titus 1:8 (NLT) 8 ... He must live a devout and disciplined life.
5.5. Hospitable
5.5.1. 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) ... He must enjoy having guests in his home,...
5.5.2. Ministry is relationships
5.6. Able to teach/correct
5.6.1. 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) 2 ... and he must be able to teach.
5.6.2. Titus 1:9 (NLT) 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
5.6.3. Teaching is not just preaching or Bible Studies
5.6.3.1. Best teaching happens over coffee
5.7. Not given to drunkeness
5.7.1. 1 Timothy 3:3 (NLT) 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent...
5.8. Not Overbearing,
5.8.1. Titus 1:7 (NLT) 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
5.9. Not Quick tempered
5.9.1. Titus 1:7 (NLT) 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
5.10. Not Violent
5.10.1. Titus 1:7 (NLT) 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
5.11. Uncontentious
5.11.1. 1 Timothy 3:3 (NLT) 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
5.11.2. Always "devils advocate"
5.11.3. Church leadership does not need the devils point of view.
5.12. Gentle
5.12.1. 1 Timothy 3:3 (NLT) 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
5.13. Not a lover of money
5.13.1. 1 Timothy 3:3 (NLT) 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
5.14. Manages family well
5.14.1. 1 Timothy 3:4 (NLT) 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
5.15. Good reputation with outsiders
5.15.1. 1 Timothy 3:7 (NLT) 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
5.16. Not a recent convert
5.16.1. 1 Timothy 3:6 (NLT) 6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.
5.17. Other requirements
5.17.1. Attend 4 out of 6 weeks on average as a minimum
5.17.2. Be willing to give time
5.17.3. Attend monthly meeting
5.17.4. Attend an annual retreat
5.17.5. Tithe
6. Acts 6 the start of deacon ministery
6.1. Acts 6:1 (NLT) 1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
6.1.1. Food and music, the two flash points for church conflict
6.2. Acts 6:2 (NLT) 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
6.3. Acts 6:3 (NLT) 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
6.4. Acts 6:4 (NLT) 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
6.5. Acts 6:5 (NLT) 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), ...
6.6. Acts 6:6 (NLT) 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
6.6.1. We meet Stephen again later in the Chapter. He was a great preacher and would be the first
6.7. The Stuff of ministry
6.7.1. This is nothing like the legal requirements from the government that make up church boards.
6.7.2. Church boards are nessassary and good but they are NOT deacons