A full and equal order.
This is the subtitle to James Monroe Barnett’s book on the diaconate. It is a helpful corrective for us. It is not uncommon for some church communities to mistakenly think that deacons are a second class office. That the “real” ministry and influence rests with the elders and pastors. That way of thinking is unbiblical and just plain wrong on several levels. I hope to expose and correct this thinking in my sermon on Sunday.
The truth is that the health and future of Redeemer rests in large part on the shoulders of our team of deacons. This is all the more critical for our church because at present we only have one deacon, Mike Maxwell. Mike is a tremendous example of a deacon, a shepherd, a leader, a man willing to provide both comfort and counsel in the hardest seasons and details of our lives. He embodies well the biblical vision of a deacon and we need more men like him willing to shepherd the people of Redeemer as deacons.
As you prepare for worship this Sunday read, pray through, and reflect on these passages: Philippians 1:1–2, 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Acts 6, and Matthew 25:31-46. Allow these passages to guide you in your nominations for new deacons.
I look forward to worshiping together this Sunday.
Pastor David
