Stepping in to Serve

1 Timothy 3:8-13

BLAMELESS

Introduction

• The Church has been given two distinct leadership offices: PASTOR & DEACON– A Pastor is an elder who has been given

oversight responsibility for the leadership, feeding and care of a “flock” of people

– A Deacon is an elder who has been given administrative responsibilities in key portions of the church’s serving ministry

Introduction

• A deacon is a servant, an attendant, or a minister.

Lurch

Jeeves

Kato

Alfred

Alfred

our Deacon Team?!

Introduction

• A deacon is a servant, an attendant, or a minister.– What are we looking for in a deacon?– How do we “select from among us” men who

are qualified to lead in service or serve in leadership?

Biblical Definition

• Deacons are spiritual servant-leaders.• Like Pastors, they are… – men of godly character.– men of solid faith.– men of measurable skills and abilities.– men of corporate distinction.

Godly Character

• Deacons are to be virtuous men.– Dignified

• They, like Overseers, are to avoid vicious traps.– NOT double-tongued– NOT addicted to much wine– NOT greedy for dishonest gain

Solid Faith

• They must have a firm grasp of the gospel.• They must be committed to its exclusivity.• They must be ready at all times to proclaim

it, defend it, or die for it.• They must be practicing their faith daily.

Measurable Skills & Abilities

• The deacon must be tested and approved.– life experience– smaller ministry opportunities– participation together– conversations– marriage and family

Measurable Skills & Abilities

• The deacon must be tested and approved.• His wife must be :– Dignified– NOT a slanderer– Sober-minded– Faithful

Measurable Skills & Abilities

• The deacon must be tested and approved.– life experience– smaller ministry opportunities– participation together– conversations– marriage and family– high grades, forward progress, not perfection

Men of Corporate Distinction

• Deacons are men who are known for ruling well, serving well, and standing well.

• Deacons have a holy confidence in Jesus Christ that is proven and progressing.

• These are the men that you would follow.• These are the men that a body of believers

will ask to lead.

Stepping “up” into Leadership

• A vantage point from which to survey the land and set a better direction

• An elevated platform for being heard better and influencing more people

• NOT a position of higher worth, greater wisdom, or increased boasting

Conclusion

• A deacon is a servant, an attendant, or a minister.– “the ministration or service of all who,

endowed by God with powers of mind and heart peculiarly adapted to this end, endeavor zealously and laboriously to promote the cause of Christ among men…” -Joseph Thayer

– “one who does what promotes the welfare and prosperity of the church.” – ibid.

Conclusion

• Every Leader in the church must be godly.• Every godly man may not be asked to lead.• Every man must be a godly man, ready to

step into a Leadership Office.