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

Conclusion

» The foundations of Christian leadership involve the role of deacons, elders, pastors, and bishops. The term for deacon in the Greek is diakonoi . » The commitment to serving in the Church over time grew to be associated with a specific office in the Church, focused on Christian leadership as compassionate servanthood to the needy and vulnerable in our midst, and as assistants to the Apostles and overseers. » The ministry of the diaconate (i.e., the ministry of the deacons) is intimately associated with our Lord’s own role as servant for us, and the call to care for the practical and spiritual needs of the vulnerable in the body. Please take as much time as you have available to answer these and other questions that the video brought out. The New Testament understands the nature of Christian leadership through the lens of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, whose ministry of care and compassion affects every notion of a Christian exercise of authority and care. Leadership is central to every role, including the foundational understanding of the role of deacon, or the diakonoi . Your ability to grasp Christ’s understanding of the role of service to authentic leadership will be important for all you come to study throughout this module. So take the time to carefully review the key issues and insights contained in this first video teaching segment. Use Scripture to support your arguments and conclusions. 1. What are the various meanings of the term diakonoi in the Greek NT, and how do these meanings help us to understand the nature of the role of deacon in the early Church? 2. In what way is being a servant of Jesus Christ and others the “hallmark of being a Christian, the normative standard for all disciples of Jesus?” How is it that servanthood is foundational to any authentically Christian notion of leading others? 3. How might the concept of the hazzan in the Jewish synagogue be a possible precedent for understanding the office of the deacon? In what way did the role of deacon develop historically in the early Church and beyond? 4. In what sense is the record of Acts 6 an important passage to understand the nature of deacons in the early Church? What do we learn from those involved and the incident itself about how deacons functioned and who

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Student Questions and Response

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