Prayers Please

[brother_mike]

Please pray for me as I have been given a great responsibility.

I was named Deacon at my church this last Sunday. One of the first two our church has ever had.

Please pray that God blesses this new journey in ministry and that I remember and keep a servant's heart and do all for the Glory of Jesus Christ.

[tired]

will be praying... A deacon is a very important office in the church. I will pray you strive for holiness, because I know so many deacons who live like the world. I will pray that God gives you the strength to lead by example, and give you the strength to visit people and share Christ with all.

[LAF]

Praying

[John81]

Praying... :pray

[Danny Carlton]

I grew up attending small Southern Baptist churches where deacons are more or less administrators. It wasn't until I started attending a large SBC church that I learned that that wasn't always the case. The church we attend now has elders which serve as administrators and the deacons function as they did in the original New Testament churches, serving the needs of individuals in the congregation, especially widows.

How is it done in IFB churches?

Oh, and I'm praying for you, too, Mike.

[Larry02]

Praying...

[brother_mike]

Thank you all very much.

Danny...

In our church (IFB) the deacon is an office of service.

We will be performing regular contact, fellowship, encouragement and prayer for/with with the "established" members of the congregation, leaving the pastor to free to preach and disciple the newer members.

Contact with the "irregular" regulars, if that makes sense, again offering fellowship, encouragement and prayer.

Hospital and home visitations of those ill or homebound.

Assisting however we can with all the ministries of the church by leading by example (regular attendance of all services, including Bible studies, etc), and again, hopefully and prayerfully, being good examples to others in our walk with Christ.

Again, this is a new role in the life of our church, we are in our third year, still pretty small, but have some good solid families. We have been meeting in a school "multi-purpose" room, but the Lord has led us and we will be gaining our own "home" in the next couple of months which can open the door for much more ministry opportunities, being able to have access any time we need it. So please keep us in prayer for this as well.

In our church, like I imagine most IFB churches (this is the only IFB church I have attended), the offices of pastor (elder) and deacon are the only two offices recognized. Other administrative functions (finances, events and such) are taken care of by volunteer members of the congregation. I am not sure if this covers the administrative duties you mentioned.

Once again, thank you and God bless
Bro. Mike