Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

The Christian Leader as Deacon ( Diakonoi )

Segment 1: Definition and Overview

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Christian leadership can be understood clearly through the foundations of service outlined in the biblical offices and functions of leadership in the Church. These include the roles of deacon, elder, pastor, and bishop. The fundamental principle of all Christian leadership is servanthood, which is embodied directly in both the terminology and position of the ministry of deacons, or, as it is phrased in the Greek, diakonoi . The development of the diaconate (the ministry of deacons) may have its origins and development based on the role of the assistant in the traditional Jewish synagogue called the hazzan . The NT outlines carefully the calling and qualifications of the ministry of the diaconate, or ministry of deacons, a ministry involving both the administration of care among the members of the body, as well as spiritual outreach and instruction. Our objective for this segment, The Christian Leader as Deacon: Definition and Overview , is to enable you to see that: • The New Testament underscores the idea of Christian leadership on the foundation of the offices and roles of leaders as they provided care and instruction for the Church. These roles and offices include the position of deacons, elders, pastors, and bishops. • The fundamental principle of all Christian leadership is servanthood, which is embodied directly in both the terminology and position of the ministry of deacons, or, as it is phrased in the Greek, diakonoi . The role of deacon is directly related to the role of offering selfless service to other members of the body of Christ, and it is this meaning that the term diakonoi captures in the Greek NT. • The parallel of the NT ministry of deacons may be traced back to the development of the role of the assistant in the Jewish synagogue, the hazzan . • Historically, the role of the deacon has been established formally in the Church, a ministry which in many traditions is referred to as the diaconate, or ministry of deacons. The NT pastoral epistles provide us with clear criteria and qualifications for both men and women to exercise their responsibility as deacons in the Church of God.

Summary of Segment 1

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