Who are Deacons and what do they do?

Recently I wrote a post on who are pastors and what do they do?Now multitudes of well meaning christians are demanding a similiar post on deacons.

In a town hall meeting,after a chicken dinner,I met with a 100 diverse people who asked questions about deacons..who are they and what do they do.

1.Bobby Jo asks..What is the main qualifcation of a deacon in a Baptist church?

Bob,you have asked a question that most people avoid,even though they desperately want to know.

The number one qualification in a Baptist church is that the prospective deacon must have a “male organ”(this doesn’t refer to a musical organ).This requirment dis-qualfies all women,because Eve sinned first in the garden).Women belong to the WMU.They accomplish much more than the deacons but that doesn’t matter.Our churches would have to close the doors without them and the R.A’S died when the women turned the R.A.program to the men.Still the fact is…Eve blew it in the garden of Eden.

2.Jill asks..Are there any other things in a prospective deacon’s life that would cause him to  be inelligable to become a deacon?

Jill,please know that you are not here by accident tonight.Providence brought you here to ask this question.

In the Baptist church a deacon must not be divorced for any reason.If he re-marries he commits the unpardonable sin and is not forgiven in this world or the next.He has committed adultry.Jill interrupts,”What if a married man lusts in his heart.isn’t that adultry??”Yes,Jill,but it is sin in the heart and not in the bed.So it really doesn’t matter if he commits it in his heart a million times a day,he can still be a deacon.

3.Penny asks,What if a man has murdered,stolen,abused his wife and children,commited arson,and burned the American flag,can he be a deacon?

Why sure,Penny.If he has prayed a sinner’s prayer and squeezed the pastor’s hand to confirm his free-will decision,he is a “new creature in Christ.”His sins are forgiven and forgotten unless he is divorced(it doesn’t count for them).Not only can the murderes and others mentioned be deacons but they are encouraged to give their testimonies on Baptist men’s day.The divorced men are allowed to tithe and serve on the property committee.

4.Leon asks,Exactly what takes place in a monthly deacon’s meeting?

Lee,I’ll try to anwser that question.Usually the pastor brings a brief devotion while the deacons are looking down at the monthly treasures report and shaking their heads from side to side.Then we have prayer for all the sick in our church.Sometimes we read the names of all the people from A to B in the phone book and pray for them to get well also.The minutes from the previous meeting are read.There were several good suggestions that were discussed last month,but nothing was accomplished.We decide to discuss them further at tonights meeting.Next,we do what was begun in the first church in the book of Acts.

The chairman of deacons asks each deacon if he has anything to bring up.(He also reminds everyone that what is said in this room,stays in this room).We go around th room clock wise.

One deacon is asked..Do you have anything to bring up?Sometimes he will say,”yes,but I would like to wait until the end of the meeting.Also,I would request that the pastor not to be present.”Generally the other deacons nod in agreement.

The next deacon has something to bring up.He says,”I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls lately.People call me because they have confidence in me.”Some of em”are just not happy with the way things are going in the church.”They” would rather remain anonymous,except to me..because they have confidence in me,but “some of em”are just not happy with the direction our church is headed.Now,I’m not going to say what they are disgruntled about and I’m not going to name any names..we just need to pray about it.Something has got to be done.

The next deacon….Let’s not forget our Christmas baskets.Christmas is only 11 months away.Because of inflation.I would suggest that we leave out the tootsy rolls this year.And we may have to take a look at the Pastor’s Christmas bonus.I worked 30 years at the mill and I never received a Christmas bonus.Besides we have Lottie Moon to think about/

Final deacon..Just pray for me.My wife and kids want to attend another church because we don’t have anything here for the youth.I may atttend with them,but keep my letter here so that I can still serve as a committed deacon.

Then the chairman of deacons says,”lets close in prayer,but continue our discussion as the pastor dismisses himself.God bless you pastor,we’re praying for you.

Leon,I hope this helps you to see what deacons do in a regular monthly deacon’s meeting in the average Baptist church.

A word of explanation,”All that was said in the questions and answers above in no way describe the deacons in the church where I now serve.They are all filled with wisdom and the Spirit.All answers have to do with other deacons in previous churches where I served,(B.P).”

Fatty fatty-two by four,can’t get through the kitchen door.SBC

 

Thursday, May 8, 2008 Danny Aiken announces the SBC is obese.Danny is also concerned that Independent Baptist Pastor,Johnny Hunt may be misunderstood by many in the SBC who still have confidence in the CP which has served us well since 1925.Hunt,by his example,seems to imply that the CP and the NAMB is quickly becoming absolete.

Here is an interesting read about the SBC situation:

Danny Akin: SBC bloated but won’t burst
By Norman Jameson
BR Editor

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) may be top heavy, bloated and unfocused but it is “premature” to write its obituary, according to Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
     http://sbctoday.blogspot.com/2008/05/here-is-interesting-read-about-sbc.html

Questions People have about Pastors,and my answers.

There is a re-newed curiosity among people who want to know more about Pastors.Here are some questions and my inspired answers.

1.Ken asked..Do pastors have to go to the bath room?Thanks Ken,thats a good question.The answer is,no we do not.That is one benefit of being a pastor.

2.Jane asked..Where do Pastors get ideas for sermons?Jane,that’s a good question.In the spring and summer we get most of out sermon ideas while riding on our lawnmorers cutting the grass.It seems like sermon ideas just fall out of the air as we go around and around.During the fall and winter months inspired thoughts come to us as we ride around in our cars listening to southern gospel music.

3.Roy asked.How do you study the Bible.Excellent question Roy.I was confident someone would ask that.Roy,at night when we go to bed,it is our custom to kiss the King James Version of the Bible and then we put it under our pillows.While we are sleeping we’re also studying.

4.Chadwick asked.Where do preachers get illustrations and stories?Good question Chad.For the most part we dream about them at night.Whatever we’ve been thinking about is imbellished and impressed in our brain.These illustrations and stories are accurate 95% of the time.But sometimes we get mixed signals.Just the other night,I dreamed the First Baptist Woodstock was giving 10% to the CP.I woke up in a cold sweat and realized this was not true.I went back to sleep and heard the voice of Adrian Rogers saying,“It’s not per-centages that send missionaries out,it’s dollars.”I’m still trying to interpert that but only Joseph could figure that one out.

Bob asked.What is pastor appreciation day?Bob,that’s a day when the church recognizes the pastor and presents him with a gift or a “useless plaque.”After doing that for about two years they discontinue having that special day.They continue Pastor appreciation day when a new pastor comes.But only for 2 years.

5.Jim asked.How do pastors handle stress.Good question jim.We cry a lot ,like Jeremiah.It helps me when I squeel like a pig.In times of high stress,I have my wife shoot me with a stun gun.And for a few moments I get my mind off whatever was causing me stress.Most of the time Patsy will shoot me again just to make sure the first shot worked

6.Sarah…Do pastors pay social security ?No,Sarah,we are exempt.But We have eternal security therefore we do not need social security?

7.Beth…How do you know when a church member is in the hospital? That’s an easy one Beth.We have something like a built in radar system in our brains that alerts us when someone is having a colonoscopy(The colon is that part of the large intestine which extends from the caecum to the rectum).We are also alerted when a church member’s (active or inactive member)>child is having tubes put in its ears.(out patient,in pastor).

8.Jamin….What are the two happiest moments in a pastor’s life..Thanks Jamine…His first day as pastor of a church.He accepts the call..and his last day ..when he resigns.As he leaves he can hear the congregation singing joyfully,“Thank God and greyhound.he’s gone!”

Pastor..Who are you and what do you do?

How do others see pastors?

According to a Gallup pole about the ethics:Public opinion of clergy has dropped. In 2001,64% gave ministers high marks for ethical standards;in 2002,the number dropped to 52%. Clergy rank seventh in favorable opinion of their ethics,behind nurses(79%)pharmacists(67%),military officers(65%),teachers(64%),medical docters(63%),and police(59%).

Ministers led bankers,journalists,lawyers,and congressmen.Car,salesmen and telemarketers,by theway were at the bottom of the list.

In 2.Tim.2:1-3,15-16,The Apostle Paul describes the kind of Pastor every church needs.

Introduction:Some lessons I have learned(the hard way) about being a Pastor.

(1)Most difficulties we bring on ourselves.

(2)Our convictions should be tempered with grace and common sense.

(3)Be more patient with church members.Many of them are spiritually sick and dysfunctional.

(4)When you are accused or attacked…Never Lose Your Temper.Never try to get back from the Pulpit.Your enemies will not believe you.Your friends do not need an explanation.

(5)Pastors are not perfect.We are weak,not angelic.

(6)Avoid the performance trap..trying to always please every one.

(7)Go ahead and try to CONTROL everything and everybody.Be prepared for a heart attack.(I know,I had two before I realized this lesson).

A Pastor should be:

1.A Son with….Determination.2.Tim.2:1.Thou therefore my….Son,be strong in the…grace that is in Christ Jesus.

A pastor must have:
(1)An experience of…Salvation..We become Sons..by Grace.v.1

(2)Experience in the …ministry.v.2.And in the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses,the same commit to…Faithful men,who shall be able to…teach others also….(experience and faithfulness).

2.A soldier with….discipline.v.3,10.Thou therefore..endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ…..v.10.Therefore I …endure all things for the…Elect’s sakes,that they may also…obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The church is no place for week-end warriors.What a Pastor needs:

(1)Endurance..

V.3.Endure hardness as a good soldier.

v.10.Endure all things for the elect’s sake.

Endurance…Some pastors..Blow in,Blow up and Blow out!!!! A church doesn’t need a gun powder preacher…Bang!! and then there is an empty shell. The church needs somebody for the long haul……BOOM!!BOOM!!BOOM!! Every day..BOOM!!BOOM!!BOOM!!

ENDURANCE.Some tough times,stick it out.why?For the elect’s sake..v.10.cf.Acts.18:8-10.And Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue,believed on the Lord  with all his house;and many of the Corinthians hearing believed,and were baptized.then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision,Be not afraid,but speak,and hold not thy peace:for I have much people in this city.Keep on.Endure it.Stick with it.He’s looking into the future and he sees what can be done.There are people who will come to Christ.They will grow.They will stand for God and He says…I still have a lot of people around here and I need a soldier to endure hardness till the time comes that they can trust.

(2)Avoid Entanglements.v.4.No man that goes to war entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.A soldier is designed to do one thing..obey orders.If he does everything else except obey orders he is good for nothing.The Pastor has been called to fill the pulpit.We are not called to fill the pews.

When you become more interested in filling the pews than filling the pulpit…that is entanglement.

3.A Student with discernment.v.15.Study to show thyself approved unto God,a workman that needeth ot to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.The man of God has a desire to study and the ability to explain.Verse 15.“Unto God.”If God is pleased with the pastor’s studythe church should be.Righty dividing the word of truth….cutting a straight furrow through the word of God.The most important thing a pastor will do in the church is to teach and preach sound doctrine.

Titus.2:1Speak thou the things which become(make attractive) sound doctrine.

Deut.32:2.My doctrine shall drop as rain.

In Nehemiah the people said to Ezra..BRING THE BOOK!!The Book..not psy-co-babble.

I believe today that people are saying to pastors…teach us…bring the Book..not 40 days of purpose…Bring the Book…not Robert Schuler heresy..Bring the Book….not celebrate recovery..bring the Book on “CELEBRATING REDEMPTION!”Not the fictional,dramatic,rediculous “left behind”series…Bring us the book1

We need to study and teach sound doctrine.Without doctrine there is no dicernment.Our prayer should be that..his doctrine would drop as rain.”Bring the book.”

4,Shun vain babblings.vv.16-17But shun profane and evain babblings:for they will increase unto more ungodliness.And their word will eat as doth a canker:of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus.

But profane and old womanish myths shun.1.Tim4:7.However I do answer a few absurdites.Where did Cain get his wife?(from his mother-in-law stupid) Is the KJV the only true translation?(Yes,both Moses and Paul wrote the Bible in the King James language).And if you don’t agree with that..get over it!The Hebrew and Greek are translated from the KJV.I am now teaching English to Hispanics,legal and illegal,the elect and non-elect in hopes that they may be able to read from the KJV And be saved.When will the rapture take place?Virgina,there is no rapture…only the second coming..at the last day.The church is not caught up in Rev.4:1.John is caught up in a vision.The church will be left to go Through the tribulation..so get ready for it.In some parts of the world Christians live in tribulation.In my humble(but correct opinion)no one really understands chapters 6-18 of the Revelation.They know that but if they told the truth who would buy those awful pictures and charts that they cram in the book of Revelation and make them fit.Also these charts scare the “hell “out of young people at the frightening halloween events churches have on that special night.BOO…BOO.SAY THIS PRAYER..AND YOU’LL BE ALRIGHT AND WILL GO TO HEAVEN.TAKE MY HAND AND PRAY….SQUEEZE MY HAND IF YOU MEAN IT.GREAT WE’LL BAPTIZE YOU SUNDAY.BRING A TOWEL AND CHANGE OF CLOTHES.

Seperate from iniquity,v.22.Flee also youthful lusts:but follow righteousness,faith,charity,peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart…v.19b…And let everyone that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.The word depart means apostatize.Stand aloof,withdraw oneself from.Let him apostatize not from the faith.But from unrighteousness of every variety.

6.A servant with dedication.v.24.And the servant of the Lord must not strive;but be gentle ,apt to teach,patient.The word gentle,v.24..like a nurse with children.

On one of the few times Jesus described himself he said:I did not come to be served,but I came to serve and give my life a ransom for many.Mark.10:45….A pastor is to SERVE and GIVE.

Who is that girl?2.Kings.5:1-6

         

 

            This “little maid” has always intrigued me, all we know about her is given right here, if you take the “little maid out and you may as well take out the whole chapter. She is a catalyst for the whole chapter. Personally, I would have loved to have read her book, “My life as a servant” but sadly it was never written! 

What we know.

Ø   She was a captive taken not by regular troops, but a sort of banditti of robbers, which made excursions into the land of Israel, to plunder and carry off what booty they could.

Ø   She would have been part of their booty; for boys and girls were a part of the booty of such robbers, whom they could sell for money. Jarchi and Kimchi say she was a girl of Naaron, a city so called.

Ø   Some way she had become the slave in Naaman’s household. That would have been the very best thing that could have happened to her because she would have been well treated there as compared to where she could have ended up.

Ø   She was a young girl, the word “maid” means a girl (from infancy to adolescence): - damsel, maid (-en), young (woman).

(I) Her background (assuming)

            We may only assume the background of this “little maid” however we must conclude that her parents had instilled in her faith in God. She had a good understanding as to the ability of the prophet of Samaria.

 

Evidently her parents took (Proverbs 22:6) “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This compels us to take the verse seriously! I hear many parents say “I will let my children make up their own mind” when talking about their faith in God. That is one of the most ridicules statements I ever heard. We must thank God for parents who evidently

Ø   Had a deep settled faith in God,

Ø   Instilled that belief in their child or children,

Ø   Taught her respect and confidence in the man of God,

Ø   Whether she was taught it or her faith made her confident that the purpose of God was not thwarted because of her situation as a captive in a foreign land.

I say hats off to her parents!

“Children should betimes acquaint themselves with the wondrous works of God, that, wherever they go, they may have them to talk of.” (Matthew Henry)

(II) Her faith (consuming)

(Hebrews 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

A little maid - Who, it appears, had pious parents, who brought her up in the knowledge of the true God. Behold the goodness and the severity of the Divine providence! Affectionate parents are deprived of their promising daughter by a set of lawless freebooters, without the smallest prospect that she should have any lot in life but that of misery, infamy, and woe. (Adam Clarke)

This “little maid” had faith that held her secure in her adverse conditions. She was away from mom, dad and all her relatives. She may have followed the gods of Samaria or no god at all but her faith was not in situations, circumstances, family or friends. Her faith was consuming!

This unknown “little maid” has faith that mirrors the faith of Daniel, the three Hebrew children and Paul and Silas when in prison.

Could she be one of the “and others of (Hebrews 11:36) “And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:”

            The puritans said that faith was “a disturbing thing” one of the problems of modern Christianity is out faith has become comfortable. We know what we believe but it does not disturb us. We are mute among the heathen but very vocal among the brethren. This “little maid” had faith that could not keep her quiet among the heathen though it may have meant punishment.

            Has our faith consumed and disturbed us? Maybe our faith has found a resting place and it is the wrong one!

(III) The results (thrilling)

“Here the mystery of the Divine providence begins to develop itself. By the captivity of this little maid, one Syrian family at least, and that one of the most considerable in the Syrian empire, is brought to the knowledge of the true God.” (Adam Clarke)

The “little maid” evidently said to Naaman’s wife “Would God my lord [were] with the prophet that [is] in Samaria! For he would recover him of his leprosy.” Naaman is moved to see the king, from the king of Samaria to the King of Israel from there to the prophet then the healing and Naaman’s statement;  (2Kings 5:15)  And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Albert Barnes says   “There is no God … - Compare the marginal references; but in none of them are the expressions quite so strong as here. Naaman seems absolutely to renounce all belief in any other God but Yahweh.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brother Johnny to Save the SBC!!

Johnny Hunt goes from the Pool hall to President of the SBC.Read all about it!!!!.http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/johnny-hunts-nomination-troubles-for-the-sbcptb/#comments

SCBC..REORGANIZED..AGAIN AND AGAIN.

You will note in this article the posed pictures of three men

Don Purvis..Don has served the SCBC Convention since 1864.Don’s knowledge and wisdom defies the humand mind.When Don is finally called home..wisdom as we now know it will be a thing of the past.

In the middle you have Jim Austin.Don and jim are dressed alike.No ties..which identifies them with Rick Warren and the emergent church philosophy.

Tom dared to  be different and wore his Easter outfit.This expresses his independent disposition.He only agreed with 100% of this Reorginazation,Restructed,Re-vitalized,Re-emphasis visionary plan.Our sincere thanks goes out to these three men.(now if they would only do something about the phone situation at the Baptist Building.Is everybody gone from the desk)http://www.baptistcourier.com/2442.article

David Churches………Goliath Churches…

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2097

Love is the Greatest:Just ask the Children.

In a survey,children were asked a series of questions abou love.

1.How do people in love behave?

Wendy,age 8..Well,when a person gets kissed for the first time,they all fall down and they don’t get up for at least an hour.

2.Why does love happen between certain people?

Andrew,age 6.

Well,one of the people has freckles,so he finds somebody else who has freckles too

May,age 9.

No one is really sure why it happens,but I heard it has something to do with how you smell and thats why perfume and deodorant are so popular.

Manuel,age 8.

I think you are supposed to get shot with an arrow or something.But the rest of it isn’t so painful.

3.What do you think falling in love is like?

John,age 9.It’s like an Avalanche and you ought to run for your life.

4.How do you make love endure?

Dick,age 7.Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work.

Aaron,age 8.Don’t forget your wife’s name.That will mess up the love.

Dave,age 8.Be a good kisser.It might make your wife forget you never take the garbage out.

5.Sure fire ways to really fall in love.

Camille,age 9.

Shake your hips and hope for the best

Paul writes in his letter to Corinth,Love is the greatest.

These 3 words,”I love you” may be the most magical and powerful words in the entire human language…one subject,one verb and one object may be the strongest 3 words that anyone could ever speak with human lips.

Depression:A Sermon by Me and To Me…

What happens when life(your life)goes to pieces?How do we respond to adversity while attending the graduate school of adversity.Those who know me are aware that 14 months ago my life went to pieces.I know what it is to be a student in the school of adversity.By His grace God is teaching me how to respond  when life goes to pieces.

In 1.Kings.17:1-7 Elijah attended the school of adversity.

The Bible sets forth the many public appearances of Elijah.

His dramatic conflict on Mt.Carmel with the prophets of Baal.

His conflict with Jezebell,that one who led the children of Israel astray into apostasy and idolatry.Elijah stood up to her.But in 1.Kings 17 we are concerned with the struggle that he had inside himself.God is sending Elijah to school,the school of adversity,to teach him in the same school that you and I must attend.

.FAMINE.17:1.There was a famine in the land.

As the days and months went by,theskies were brazen and hard and yielded no rain.The fields were parched and dried up.Famine came.The whole land suffered from it.

But God was teahing Elijah a lesson..for he was going through the same experiences.His garden withered away.His well went dry.His food stores ran out.

Elijah may have said what you and I have declared, “Why me”,I’ve been faithful.And that may be true.But here is the lesson:It is the lesson of learning dependence upon resources outside himself and beyond himself.You have got to learn to depend on Me and trust Me.So God said,leave your house,your garden,,your security,all of your resources and get into the desert.

He came to a little stream called,Cherith and there was a bubbling spring.God said,sit here,wait here,live here.I will feed you bread and meat.The ravens of the air shall bring what you need day by day and they did….twice a day.Elijah had a good life there beside the brook Cherith.No problems at all……..and suddenly…..

2.ADVERSITY.Then one morning the brook dried  up.verse7.And life went to pieces for Elijah.

Why did God allow this to happen to Elijah?

What happens when the light of life goes out?All goes well beside the brook Cherith,everything falls into place and life is good.Then one day the brook dries up….pehaps it’s health,an accident,a moral failure,seperation.There is the brook of joy and refreshment and then suddenly the brook dries up.

3.WHY? When adversity comes we often cry out,Why?Why did this happen Lord?

There are some answers:

I can tell you why it did NOT happen.

God had not forgotten Elijah.

Neither has this happened because Elijah had sinned.

Why did the book run dry?Because there was no rain in the land.vs.7.

Elijah, you are living in a world that has a set of natural laws.A world of accidents,tragedies,suffering.the brook ran dry because there was no rain.Your body breaks down because it was not made to live forever.

Another lesson..God is not caught off gaurd.

God has plans for Elijah because of this experience…I am going to send you out to a woman in Zaraphath and you are going to minister to her.Now you will be able.So it is with our lives.We are stronger because of adversity.We learn compassion.We are able to share that experience.It causes tenderness and we are not as judgemental.Elijah was being prepared for the future.

4.LIFE MOVES ON.

Life moves on and God moves us with life through the adversities and tragedies and the dry brooks of life.He will move us on to greater things.Remember,you are going to the school of adversity to repare for something greater.we have to believe and trust Him.