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Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on
pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5
I. Appointment Process
1. A candidate for the Deacon Team should
prayerfully seek the Lord’s guidance in this matter.
2. There will be an interview with representatives of the Deacon and Elder
Teams. This will cover his responsibilities as a deacon and the
qualifications to fulfill them.
3. After the interview, if mutually agreeable, it will be announced publicly
that the candidate is being considered.
4. The congregation will be given two weeks to express opinions to the Elder
and Deacon Teams concerning their endorsement or reservations concerning the
candidate being placed on the Deacon Team. Deacons are appointed by the
Elder Team.
5. With a positive result, the candidate is invited to sit in on the regular
Deacon Team meetings for a period of three months.
6. The candidate is then invited to be a full member of the Deacon Team.
This makes it possible for the candidate to make a serious commitment based
on his experience as an acting deacon.
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II. Basis Commitments
1. Growing walk with Christ
2. Church Constitution
3. Church Membership
4. Philosophy Statements
5. Leadership Agreement
6. Involvement in a Focus Group
7. Key CBC Community Values
8. One size Doesn’t Fit All, by Gary McIntosh
9. Deacons, by John MacArthur, Jr
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III. Biblical Overview of the Deacon Ministry
The general concept of deacon as a servant of the
church is well established in both the Bible and church history. But the
exact nature of the office is hard to define, because of changing concepts
and varying practices among church bodies through the centuries. Another
problem is that the Bible passages associated with deacons are interpreted
differently by various church groups.
The term deacon occurs in only two passages in the
NKJV (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-13). But the Greek word diakonos from which it is
taken is found 30 times. In most cases diakonos is translated as "servant"
rather than "deacon." In the Greek world, diakonos was used to describe the
work of a servant-a person who waited on tables or ministered as a religious
official. When the office of deacon was established in the New Testament
church, it may have paralleled the function of the Jewish synagogue
assistant-an official who took care of the administrative needs of the
assembly.
The origin of the office of deacon is usually related to the events
described in Acts 6:1-6. The young Christian church in Jerusalem was
experiencing growing pains, and it had become increasingly difficult for the
apostles to distribute charitable gifts to its needy members without
neglecting their ministry of prayer and preaching. The widows of Greek or
Gentile background complained to the apostles that they were not getting
their just share of food and money. To meet this critical need, seven men
were chosen by the congregation and presented to the apostles (Acts 6:1-6).
Although these men were not called deacons at that time, the Greek word used
to describe their work comes from the same Greek root word.
While these "table servers" were appointed to relieve an emergency and their
assignment may sound somewhat menial, these men possessed the very highest
moral and spiritual credentials. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
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IV. Deacons Character
1 Timothy 3:8-12, Deacons, likewise, are to be men
worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing
dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a
clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing
against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives are
to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and
trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife
and must manage his children and his household well. NIV
1. Deacon: I like doing things a variety of things without fanfare.
2. Respect: All of God’s assignments, even menial tasks, are serious should
be done with a spirit of dignity.
3. Sincere: I say what I mean and mean what I say; my word is my bond.
4. Not indulging in much wine: My physical, mental or emotional appetites do
not drive me.
5. Not pursuing dishonest gain: I can release personal control of resources
and do not chase after material evidences of success.
6. Clear conscience: I know and practice the core truths of the faith and my
life matches my profession.
7. Tested: People can see a steady growth in my Christian character in my
marriage, family, work, and ministries.
8. Nothing against them: I have no undealt with “skeletons in my closet”
that would cause the Christ and the church to be embarrassed.
9. Wife … worthy of respect: My wife a not compulsive talker but is a well
balanced, confidential woman of dignity, who has earned spiritual trust
10. Husband of but one wife: I have a holy and healthy marriage that is free
of pornography and unhealthy attitudes towards women.
11. Manage: I lead my family with care and diligence.
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V. Leadership Qualities
Being a deacon in the local church is a great
privilege that is not extended to every spiritual leader in the
congregation. But this privilege is not without its problems. The
genuineness and depth of a board member's relationship to Christ will be
tested. Acts 6:1-7 gives ten qualities that every team member should possess
if they are going to be a successful as team member.
1. The successful team member has a sense of realism. In those days when the
number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained
against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the
daily distribution of food. (6:1)
2. The successful team member is not afraid to implement change. So the
Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right
for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on
tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full
of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and
will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." (6:2-4)
3. The successful team member appreciates true ministry priorities. It would
not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God (6:2) ...give
our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. (6:4)
4. The successful team member has a servant's heart. ...wait on tables.
(6:2)
5. The successful team member has a team spirit. ...choose seven men. (6:3)
6. The successful team member maintains his spiritual reputation. ...men
from among you who are known to be. (6:3)
7. The successful team member makes Spirit controlled decisions. ...full of
the Spirit. (6:3)
8. The successful team member exercises spiritual and practical wisdom.
...and wisdom. (6:3)
9. The successful team member willingly accepts responsibility. ...turn this
responsibility over to them. (6:3)
10. The successful team member is known for his reliance upon God. ...a man
full of faith. (6:5)
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VI. Members Covenant
“As members of a Berean Church, we covenant
together that as we have opportunity we will do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith, that we will submit
to God and resist Satan, and that we will abstain from fleshly lusts which
war against the soul. As long as we continue in the membership of this
church we will gladly cooperate, making its testimony honoring to Christ. We
will pray for one another and refuse to participate in gossip. We will
assist those who have authority over us and who preach the Word of God. We
will give, as God prospers, to the work of our church, realizing its needs
first and the needs of other Christian works subsequently. Finally,
confident that we have been led of God, we wholeheartedly affirm our
commitment to this fellowship and submit to its constitution and biblical
authority.” BFCC Constitution
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VII. Ministry Philosophy
1. Theme Verse - The Spirit of Our Ministry: “May
the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and
mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans
15:5-6
2. Church Purpose - The Reason for Our Ministry: “We exist as a church to
exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and to eagerly follow His example in personal
evangelism, in Biblical education, in spiritual encouragement and in
ministry enlistment as the Lord enables us through our divinely ordained
experiences, enablements and energies.”
3. Ministry Value - The Heart of Our Ministry: "CBC is a non denominational
church that through teams, courageously builds a safe place for children,
youth and adults, who will come to faith and develop in Christ, because
every ministry team a life of faith, grace, trust, and mutual submission,
and intentionally affirms each person’s gifts and strengths."
4. Ministry Strategy - The Commitments of our Ministry
¨ A COMMUNITY Ministry. We are committed to
reaching the unchurched of our local and extended community.
¨ A PERSONALIZED Ministry. We are committed to acknowledging, affirming,
assisting and holding accountable individual vision in accomplishing a
united ministry. In ministry, we trust God best when we trust His people to
minister.
¨ A GRADUATED Ministry. We are committed to having different entry levels
for ministry so that every believer can serve according to their varying
degrees of ability, gifting and maturity.
¨ A FOCUSED Ministry. We are committed to helping each believer find a
primary area of ministry.
¨ A RELEVANT Ministry. We are committed to meeting the contemporary
spiritual needs of families and individuals.
¨ A RESPONSIVE Ministry. We are committed to knowing God’s will for us as a
congregation and by faith fulfilling it.
¨ A BALANCED Ministry. We are committed to a Christ-centered, Bible-based,
family-focused ministry that avoids the trendy and the trivial.
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VIII. Leadership Team Commitment
As the Leadership Team of CBC we agree on these
basic commitments.
1. We are committed to personally and corporately exalting Jesus Christ and
to eagerly following His example.
2. Christ is to be the center of every discussion and decision made by the
Deacon Team.
3. We are committed to penetrating the unchurched community of Cheyenne,
including both the saved and unsaved.
4. We are committed to providing the physical facilities and professional
staff necessary to lead those who attend Berean into a mature Christian
lifestyle.
5. We are committed to developing and nurturing lay leadership and team
ministries.
6. We are committed to exercising faith in accomplishing our goals.
7. We are committed to shepherding Cheyenne Berean by modeling a yielded
life that is responsive to God’s unique leading and will for us as a
congregation as we enter the challenges of a new millennium.
8. We are willing to have the other deacons hold us accountable for these
commitments.
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IX. A Safe Church: Doug Shada,
President of the Berean Church
Fellowship
Many churches have good orthodox doctrine, but they
are not bodies where relationship is really preached and community is
formed. Safe churches, however, have the following qualities:
1. Grace is preached from the pulpit and is the
foundation for how people are to be treated.
2. Truth is preached without compromise, but also without a spirit of law
and judgment.
3. The church leaders are aware of their own weaknesses and need to grow and
are open about their hurt, pain, failings, and humanity. Instead of “having
it all together” and being insulated from confrontation and change, they are
in a process of healing and opening up to their own safe people for support
and accountability.
4. The church uses small groups to touch people’s lives, and sermons focus
on community in the body of Christ as well as doctrine.
5. The culture is one of forgiven sinners, not self-righteous religious
Pharisees.
6. The church, instead of being a self-contained unit and thinking it has
all the answers, is networked into the community, availing itself of input
from other sources such as churches, professionals, and organizations.
7. The teaching has relational emphasis as well as a vertical one.
8. Relationship between people is seen as part of spirituality as well as
relationship to God.
9. The teaching sees brokenness, struggle, and inability as normal parts of
the sanctification process.
10. There are opportunities to serve others through a variety of ministries.
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X. A Great Commission Church: Doug Shada
1. Thinks in God’s power
2. Prays boldly
3. Plans strategically
4. Loves unconditionally
5. Draws on the Holy Spirit’s power
6. Believes God for supernatural results
7. Learns we need one another
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XI. Areas that Hinder the Body of Christ: Doug
Shada
1. More emphasis on programs than people
2. People wear their spiritual masks in church
3. Focusing more on self instead of serving others
4. Legalism allowed and not confronted
5. Content to stay as babes
6. Lack of confessing and owning up to sin
7. Preaching the easy texts
8. Allowing discord to go unchecked
9. Losing our first love
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XII. Key Community Values
1. BIBLE: We place the highest value on Bible
exposition and teaching even in our topical and contemporary issue group
studies.
2. WORSHIP: We have a God assigned ministry that includes glorifying Christ
through a worship style that is Biblical, blended with various music styles,
and cross generational.
3. FOCUS GROUPS: Strengthening, serving and shepherding is primarily done
through teams that are organized around a “small group” philosophy.” They
are called Focus Groups since our aim is to focus on Christ and on each
other in these gatherings
4. CHURCH PLANTING: We are called to reach our local community and region
with an emphasis on assisting the Berean Church fellowship plant churches
along the Front Range.
5. MISSIONS: Alongside our core missionaries we have a special call to the
Berean Fellowship’s 300-in-3 India Project that includes our prayer and
financial support through our Focus Groups and the sending of workers from
CBC.
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XIII. Independence and Interdependence
The Bible uses such word pictures as body, flock,
and family to describe a Christian’s relationship to other Christians. These
word leave the impression that God is more interested in our interdependence
with each other than our independent and individualistic preferences. We
join together as a team for at least three important Biblical reasons:
mutual partnership, mutual worship and mutual submission. We can do more
together. We can worship better together. We can be more accountable
together.
The independent Christian is like a hand or a heart without a body. It has
no place in which to function and thrive. By joining a church team we can
serve, be encouraged, and be a partner in ministry more effectively. It is
an unselfish decision, where our commitment benefits the church by the
addition of our unique talents, strengths and abilities to a team. Paul
gives an appropriate warning as well as an exciting expectation when he
writes:
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober
judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as
each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have
the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:3-5, NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to
your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
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