Deacons Training Mike McGuffee HCG CSBC

The Reason and Roles for Deacons

The Purpose of Deacons In Your Church What do you understand your Role to be as a Deacon?

The Purpose of Deacons Are Deacons… leaders or servants? administrators or laborers? spiritual or social? necessary or optional?

THE MINISTRY OF A DEACON The meaning of “deacon” diakanos servant, slave 35 times in New Testament 5 times “deacon” noun

Reason for Deacons The word diakonos literally means servant. Furthermore, in almost all the places where the New Testament uses that word, it refers only to servants, to people doing the lowliest jobs in a household or an estate, and not to a class of officers or leaders in the church.

Role of Deacons References where diakonos refers to people simply serving: Matthew 20:26; 22:13; 23:11. Mark 9:35; 10:43. John 2:5,9; 12:26. Romans 13:4; 15:8;16:1. I Corinthians 3:5. II Corinthians 3:6;6:4;11:15,23. Galatians 2:17. Ephesians 3:7;6:21. Colossians 1:7,23,25;4:7. I Thessalonians 3:2. I Timothy 4:6. References in the Bible to diakonos as official positions in the church? There are three: Philippians 1:1 and I Timothy 3:8,12.

Deacon/Servant The word diakonos itself, which literally means "through the dust," carries a hint as to the work of deacons. That servants were those who did not mind getting dirty in fulfilling their tasks. They literally "did the dirty work," and took care of the lowliest jobs.

References in the Bible to diakonos as official positions in the church Philippians 1:1 1. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: I Timothy 3:8,12. 8. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 12. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Deacon Ministry There is no definitive list anywhere giving the responsibilities of deacons. 2. The guiding principles seem to be a) whatever the church needs and b) the leadership supports. 3. Deacons are servants and are not found to be in authority over anyone anywhere in Scripture.

Deacon Ministry 4. We should think of deacons as "leading from the rear." They keep the flock together, take care of stragglers, work for unity, and help the fallen along the way. The pastor or pastors ride point. 5. The work of deacons will vary from church to church, and from year to year. But, as in Acts 6:7, their service should always reflect so positively on the Lord Jesus Christ that outsiders will want to join such a wonderful fellowship.

A GODLY DEACON 2.Spirit Filled 3.Servant 4.Supportive GROWING IN HIS WALK 1.Saved 2.Spirit Filled 3.Servant 4.Supportive

A GODLY DEACON GROUNDED IN THE WORD 1.Know 2.Apply 3.Live

A GODLY DEACON GLOWING IN HIS WITNESS Stephen Acts 7 Phillip “the evangelist”

A GODLY DEACON GIFTED IN HIS WORK S.piritual Gifts H.eart A.bilities P.ersonality E.xperience

What You Didn’t Learn Today History of Deacons The Role of Deacons Organizing Deacons for Ministry Deacon Ministry Teams Deacons as Servant Leaders Requirements for Deacons Responsibilities of Deacons And More and More and More…

A Testimony Mike Solorio, Pastor at Valley Baptist, Salinas “After Mike’s deacon retreat, we went from position to active ministry. It helped us not only with our deacons, but it helped us with every leadership position. I recommend every pastor to take a deacon retreat training with Mike McGuffee. It’s a plus plus. Your whole church will benefit from leaders serving Christ with excellence!

For a Deacon Training Weekend/Retreat contact Mike McGuffee Healthy Church Group CSBC mmcguffee@csbc.com 559 906 8377