Maybe you are a deacon in your church or maybe you have an idea of what a deacon's responsibility is in the church. I'm curious what your thoughts on what a deacon's responsibility is. I grew up Southern Baptist and we did not have a group of Elders in our church and the deacons were basically the leaders or decision makers in our church and now in the church that I am at, deacons are not the leaders. What are your thoughts?
Hello StrikeToWin,
It's nice to hear from you. I don't think there is a good and firm answer on this question since every church is different, even churches in the same denomination. There are formal and informal methods that nearly all churches adopt in one way or another to protect and manage the LORD'S Work at that specific location. It's also true that some churches have "parent-type" structures dictating some procedures and requiring different reporting methods. Many other churches would be independent, but they would still need methods to manage and protect the LORD'S Work at that location in all areas. The major areas would be similar in all churches and basically be Stewardship of the resources that should belong to the LORD. I realize this is a very vague answer, but it would have to be unless you were talking about one specific church.
Broad Areas:
1 - TEACHING what, when, how, and why. This would involve the overall objectives of the church and obviously guarding against false teaching. This broad area would address reaching the lost, teaching various age groups, teaching people with various Bible maturity levels, missions, etc.
2 - FINANCES what, when, how, and why. This would involve the overall strategy of proper Stewardship of every penny being given for the LORD'S Work at that specific location. "Stewardship" is the right term, and we would be talking about managing and caring for things that belong to the LORD - things that are to be used for HIM and HIS Glory. This is another very broad area that needs to be transparent - especially in this day and age. There should be no secrets being kept from the people of the congregation giving offerings. A complete and accurate accounting should be available at all times.
These two broad areas are obviously related because nearly everything is associated with some kind of expense. Anything hidden usually indicates corruption or at least the perception of corruption. There would huge numbers of ways and methods used by various churches, but they would all boil down to proper Stewardship of what belongs to the LORD and how it can be best used to bring honor and Glory to the LORD. Transparent and open HONESTY would have to be part of any appropriate system. The methods adopted should be pleasing to the LORD. I realize this is very vague, but it would have to be unless you want a book. By the way, many churches do have written rules and procedures for appropriate Stewardship.
Love In Christ,
Tom
Favorite Bible Quotes 98 - 2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will
not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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