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The pastor most often seeks counsel from God, on his knees. That is to whom He is responsible. If he is fortunate enough to be in an area where there are other pastors of like faith and order he can seek fellowship and counsel there. The sheep don't guide the shepherd. That is unbiblical.I have to respectfully disagree. Who counsels the pastor? Who makes recommendations to the congregation? Who serves communion? Who steps in as leaders when a pastor leaves? In an IBC, it's the deacons and trustees. These men ARE in positions of responsibility and authority.
Thats an excellent assessment Dr. Bob. Of course, it is all Scripture.We use biblical guidelines for the "sh'mash" or "servant/helpers" that assist the Body. This was a common role in the synagogue and very needful in the local church (modeled after the synagogue)
I Tim 3:8-13 in language we can understand: "Deacons, like elders, are to be . . .
1. Men
2. Worthy of respect
3. Sincere
4. Not drunkards
5. Not greedy
6. Have a good grasp on deep doctrinal truth
7. Have a clear conscience
8. Tested in character and found above any reproach
9. Married (like the Elder), with a wife
. . worthy of respect
. . not malicious
. . temperate
. . trustworthy
10. One woman man (not immoral/polygamist)
11. Standing before children in authority/example
12. Serve congregation well
Age and experience are both implied by most of these requirements God gave.
NIV:
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
I have to respectfully disagree. Who counsels the pastor? Who makes recommendations to the congregation? Who serves communion? Who steps in as leaders when a pastor leaves? In an IBC, it's the deacons and trustees. These men ARE in positions of responsibility and authority.
A leader must serve, a servant is not necessarily a leader. Phoebe was the latter.What about deaconess Phoebe addressed by Paul in Romans 16:1f?
Cheers,
Jim
We use biblical guidelines for the "sh'mash" or "servant/helpers" that assist the Body. This was a common role in the synagogue and very needful in the local church (modeled after the synagogue)
I Tim 3:8-13 in language we can understand: "Deacons, like elders, are to be . . .
1. Men
2. Worthy of respect
3. Sincere
4. Not drunkards
5. Not greedy
6. Have a good grasp on deep doctrinal truth
7. Have a clear conscience
8. Tested in character and found above any reproach
9. Married (like the Elder), with a wife
. . worthy of respect
. . not malicious
. . temperate
. . trustworthy
10. One woman man (not immoral/polygamist)
11. Standing before children in authority/example
12. Serve congregation well
Age and experience are both implied by most of these requirements God gave.
I have to respectfully disagree. Who counsels the pastor? Who makes recommendations to the congregation? Who serves communion? Who steps in as leaders when a pastor leaves? In an IBC, it's the deacons and trustees. These men ARE in positions of responsibility and authority.
Although I have known some very mature teenagers, I believe that is way too young for such a position as deacon. I was in a Christian Web site once where the Administrator was 16. I was a moderator when I deleted some VERY offensive posts by a spammer that were praising the devil and blaspheming God. The boy criticized me for deleting them. I quit as the moderator and left that Web site shortly after that. Teenagers should not be given positions of authority, and neither should adults until after they have proved themselves.
If they are in authority, they are not serving as deacons.
. . .an examination of the titles given to Church officers in the New Testament; and especially from those titles being sometimes interchangeably used. . . .the term elder is applied both to bishops and deacons. . . .distinct officers were recognized by the Church, but they were lovingly blended together. There was no contention about a name as expressive of an authority, which it would have been sacrilege for others to invade.
Assigning deacons the responsibilities and authorities of elders is very common in Baptist churches. I've never really understood why this isn't discussed more.
In this regard, it would seem, you are working on your association of Baptist churches to ignore scriptural direction. Direction that was breathed by God. But, if you do not believe the scriptures in whole then I guess it doesn't matter.Our association of BAPTIST churches has done very well over many years, thank you very much. I'm working on them to accept female pastors when the need arises......."smile".
Cheers,
Jim
The problem is that a deacon is not in authority over anyone. A deacon is to be servant. So the issue is whether the person is spiritually mature enough to fulfill the Biblical guidelines and mature enough to serve others.[/QU
Amen! I was about to make that same observation. One of the ills of many Baptist churches is the belief, and practice, that deacons have authority.