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 deacon is one who makes themselves and their resources available to others in order that the needs of the body may be met in every way, both physically and spiritually. • The deacon is also a servant who has been given the charge to serve the members of the body, distributing and administering resources in a just and compassionate way. • Finally, a deacon is charged with the role of being an assistant, one called alongside spiritual leaders to support them in the work of the ministry. • Urban congregations especially need men and women who serve in the diaconate who have proven experience as faithful servants of Christ. Although deacons cannot be used as a substitute for the generous hospitality of the members of the body, urban churches need men and women who can effectively manage the temporal affairs of the church for the benefit of the saints. • The ministry of deacon is one that carries a full assurance of good standing before God and the church, as well as great confidence in the faith. The role of the deacon is critical for the urban congregation, both in terms of meeting practical needs and dividing the labor amongst the leaders to ensure that the congregation’s full priorities are not neglected.

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I. Models and Analogies for the Diaconate

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A. The Deacon is a Servant .

If a poor man, or one of low birth, or a stranger, comes upon you—whether he is young or old–and there is no place for him, the deacon must find a place for him. ~ Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.422., Ibid.

The deacon is first and foremost a servant, one who makes themselves and their resources available to others in order that their needs may be met, their person’s protected, their situation helped, and their calling fulfilled. A deacon is one who places themselves at the disposal of Christ, the leadership, and the Church in order to meet the concrete needs of the body, and free up the leaders to do what God has called them to do.