A Note from the Deacon’s Corner

“Serving by and in His Grace while Making the Most of Your Talents”
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV.

  The grace of God provides that even imperfect people are not only welcome in the church but also required. Otherwise, the church building would be a very empty and lonely place.

Deacons are called to discern the gifts they have been given and to seek to help others discern their own gifts. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 affirms that every person created by God has a God-given gift, and those gifts should be used to glorify God.

Deacons must learn to use their individual gifts as part of the whole. The entire body must work together in the same direction. Paul says that even the weakest member of the body is indispensable. Indeed, the body that does not support the smallest part will surely falter.

Being a deacon requires both commitment and discipline. Discipline is a spiritual muscle. The first few times you attempt something, it may be extremely difficult. As with any exercise, as the muscle becomes more accustomed to the workout, it becomes easier. The diaconate, as a body, needs the same kind of discipline.

Members of the diaconate should be active participants in both the church and the groups within the church. They should be a conduit for information to flow between all of those groups. In both our words and deeds, we should seek to witness to the word. Our very actions are a prayer when they are done to the glory of God.

As a gathering of believers, we welcome the Spirit into our midst. Unless the Spirit bonds us to one another, we are not united; and our accomplishments will fall short. When we are united, pray through our words and deeds, our needs will be satisfied.

In His Service,

Parts of this article have been taken from “Your Calling a Deacon” by Gary Straub and James Trader II.