The Role of Deacons

 

This is Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters and Christian leaders and I am your host today, Daneille Snowden.

Setting up leaders in the church is a meticulous, intentional task that must be done by the leading of the Holy Spirit, coupled with prayer and fasting. As we do this, the Lord clearly leads and orchestrates by aligning it all to His Word. 

Today, we will look into the role of a deacon. Let us read the historical beginnings of this vital ministry in Acts 6:1-7 

“Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose ‘the 7’ [see the list in scripture]; 6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

The deacons were to meet the practical needs of this new and fast-growing church. I love how they prayed first and sought out men that had a good reputation (who were trustworthy), and full of the Spirit plus, have wisdom. May I incorporate, that one of the many attributes of being full of the Spirit is that the Spirit will guide and give created ways to serve the body of Christ. A Deacon may ask, where is the need? How and when should it be accomplished? Also, for God to lead him to those he should partner with to achieve these needs. One of the last things mentioned, when they were seeking out men to serve as deacons, was for them to have wisdom, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit. This is a crucial gift that has a deep insight into matters and situations, which will give clarity on how to serve. 

The word deacon means servant, this is what they are doing in this passage of scripture! By serving others, it shall speak to the heart of men, women, and children. Are they hungry? Feed them! How? By teaching them how to farm, walking along side them as you do? Another question may be asked; how to serve the widows, the orphans, the sick and the list is long and continuous. 

Serving as missionaries and pastors, we would feel overwhelmed when we had to fill-in the gaps that normally a deacon would do. It would drain our strength as we then were to preach the Word and pray for those who were in need. Deacons are incredible pillars to the strength of God’s Church. 

We had many deacons throughout our pastoral years, some hold a special place within our heart. Two of them are: Steve Devall and Charles Lee (both served at different churches); we never had to tell them to do anything. They would seek the Lord and simply gather others and serve. When they did, we would see them praying for those they did service for. It greatly strengthened our churches. 

We need our deacons to help our elders and pastors; in so doing strengthening the church. 

This has been Multiply! Please share this podcast today with others! Also, you can locate us on our website vcpencouragement.org, we are on Facebook, YouTube and PodBean. 

Thank you and may our Lord bless you abundantly today!

Problem Solving

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. As a church planter you know that there are many challenges, difficulties, and trials that face your churches.  If you have been working to plant a church for more than 10 days, I am sure you have already confronted a challenge that you were not expecting!  

A famous German military strategist, Helmuth von Moltke said, "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy."  What did he mean? He was famous for helping military officers make plans and then put them into action. Why did he say, "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy?"  

Simply put, we cannot know everything.  We do not know exactly what will happen in the future.  We can plan, but circumstances change. And that’s a problem.  

The first church in Jerusalem had a good plan for taking care of widows.  But soon after they started this compassionate ministry, a problem came up. “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” The Apostles had a big problem on their hands. So they had to adjust their plan.  

You, like the first apostles, are in a spiritual battle and your plans are not perfect.  You too will have to make adjustments.  So let’s look at the example of the first apostles to learn how to solve problems in the church.  Acts 6:2-4 says:

“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 and sisters, 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.”

The Bible does not tell us every detail of the apostle’s problem solving method, but we do notice that the apostles recognized and admitted that there was a problem. When they announced a solution, the Twelve did so together.  So it is very likely that they had worked together to come up with a solution. Based on their prior experience, it is also very likely that they prayed and had dialog together as they chose a solution.  What did they decide?

They asked the church to name a team of wise, Spirit-filled workers to address the problem.  Instead of using all of their time and energy to make the Greeks and the Hebrew church members happy, they asked the church to mobilized worker to address the problem head-on. They turned the responsibility over to the seven deacons along with the authority they needed to make fair decisions about the distribution of food.

When you face a problem you didn’t expect, recognize the problem and describe it well.  Practice group coaching to identify what is happening and to discover a good solution.  Don’t try to solve every problem yourself. Empower others to act. Delegate responsibility and authority to godly men and women.  And keep your eye on the goal just as the Apostle did. Don’t neglect the ministry God has given you just because a problem comes up.  God will bless you with sound solutions and empowered church members.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

'One Anothers' Series: Love One Another

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. 

As we begin a new year, I am beginning a new series.  During 2023, I intend to focus upon the: “One Anothers” found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership. 

Did you realize that the phrase “one another” occurs fifty-nine times in the New Testament? In the coming year we will explore many of these scriptures. What might you guess is the most frequent “one another” instruction? If your answer is “Love One Another,” you would be correct.  This command is given at least sixteen times in the New Testament. 

Here is Jesus’s command in John 13:34; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

I would like to pose two questions as we consider this command. 

• Why is it new? 

• What does “love one another” have to do with spiritual leadership? 

Regarding, “why is it new? s I pondered and studied this thought, I found this helpful explanation from pastor and author John Piper:  

“I see two answers implied in this verse. The key … is found in the … second half of the verse: “. . . just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The newness of the command to love each other is found in Jesus’ words “as I have loved you.”

I see two ways that the commandment to love each other is new in those words. First, the command is new because it is a command to live out the love of Jesus. Second, … The words “as I have loved you” contain a pattern for our love for each other, and they contain a power for our love for each other.”

Stated another way, we are to love others following Christ’s example.  Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Further, we are to love others through the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes, the ability to love others is simply beyond our own capacity.  For me, this is particularly true when I and/or the other person are having a difficult day.   

To address the second question, I recall that about 18 months ago I shared a podcast that was inspired by VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka. One of Peter’s leadership principles is, “You must love those you lead.”  

As good and godly leaders demonstrate their genuine love for their followers, several positive things happen:

• Followers feel appreciated and motivated. Their level of commitment increases.

• Relationships and loyalty with one’s followers develop and then becomes strengthened. Teamwork and hard work follow. 

• There is forgiveness for unintended mistakes or offenses

• You begin to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to pray for one another, and to provide practical support for each other. 

Love one another. 

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Directive & Corrective Discipline

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

One of the joys I experience by being a part of One Mission Society’s Village Church Planting ministry is the privilege of sharing the Train and Multiply materials with church planters in Africa and around the world. These booklets are simple, practical and profound.  So let me encourage you to review the Train and Multiply booklets you used in previous terms.  Read over them. Pray about the practical tasks that these books suggest for church planters.  Ask God to use these Bible-based tools to guide you into a stronger and even healthier church planting ministry in 2023.

When I read the Train and Multiply booklet called “Become the Body of Christ,” that is used in Term 4, I am struck by a three sentence paragraph that was simple, practical and profound.  Listen to what I read:

“There are two kinds of discipline: directive and corrective. Directive discipline includes organizing, teaching, and coordinating the whole church. Corrective discipline includes reforming and restoring disorderly and fallen members. If the elders use directive discipline, then there will be little need for corrective discipline.”

When church planters and elders give direction to a church by organizing, teaching, and coaching church members, there will be little need for corrective discipline of disorderly members. Why? Because everyone will know what is expected by God, by church leaders, and by their fellow church members.

Sometimes corrective discipline is needed to help church members reform their bad behavior so they can be restored to full fellowship and ministry activity.  But if you and your leadership team teach clearly from the Word of God and check to make sure your members have understood that Word, they can and will correct their own behavior in the power of the Holy Spirit.  

So it is very important to teach God’s Word with clarity. Our teaching must be simple and applicable to the common experiences of the people we teach.  But sometimes church leaders make big assumptions.  I know a church in which a young member of the worship team had to be put on discipline because he began living with a woman without getting married. Somehow he failed to understand that such behavior is sinful and would exclude him from leading worship.

When his church leaders thought back on what had been explicitly taught in the  church, they realized that no one had taught a lesson about marriage and sexual purity.  They had assumed that everyone knew that sexual relations outside of marriage are sinful.  But the young man seemed surprised when he was informed of this reality! Oh how I wish that directive discipline would have been practiced instead of the corrective discipline that was required.  

Would you take a moment today or tomorrow to make a list of plain teachings of Jesus that need to be taught in your church?  Remember, directive discipline includes organizing, teaching, and coordinating the whole church. Corrective discipline includes reforming and restoring disorderly and fallen members. If church planters and elders use directive discipline, then there will be little need for corrective discipline.”

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #ChurchDiscipline

Observe God's Word

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. As a church planter, you rely on God’s word to guide you and lead you.  You know very well that God’s word is a lamp for your feet and a light for your path (Psalm 119:105).  God’s word, the Bible, showed you the way of salvation.  Because of God’s message revealed in Holy Scripture you were able to trust Christ and be born again.  

God’s word led you as you began to walk as a disciple of Christ. You were instructed by the Bible as you began to obey Jesus’ commandments. Because of the impact the Bible has made in your life, you share it with others.  You have learned through your life experience what King David learned in his life. David said in Psalm 12:6, “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”  David was saying that God’s word is pure. It does not contain flaws. But not only was it flawless, David knew that God’s word, like gold and silver, was of great value.

You and I, as followers of Jesus, as men and women who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, believe David’s testimony.  When we hear, “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.” we say “Amen!”  And yet sometimes we fail to examine the pure and perfect word of God. Sometimes we get busy with other activities and fail to appreciate the great value of the word of God.

You have learned that there are three steps to Bible study: observation, interpretation, and application. I want to focus on observation today.  It is through observation that we access and receive the great wisdom, power, and grace that is available to us from God’s word, the Bible. Observation is far more than a quick reading of the sacred text or simply listening to another person read the Bible. To observe is to notice and perceive what is being said.  Friends, observation is hard work.  Observation is more than just looking; observation is seeing what is important and meaningful in a text. If we do not look carefully, we will not observe the important truths in God’s word.  We will gain a superficial understanding of what our Lord want’s to communicate to us, but not a full understanding. Observation takes time. Good observation requires us to free our mind from distractions so we can see what God is saying in the scriptures.

Observation of the biblical text means that as we read or listen, we must ask questions of the text. Who is the author? Is this passage telling a story or giving a teaching? Is this passage describing something that happened in the past or something that will happen in the future? Where did the things written about take place? When did the things written about take place? What people are mentioned? To whom was the passage written? 

As we consider these and other details in the passage we are studying, we will gain a better understanding of God’s word. We will be enriched mentally and emotionally; we will be enriched spiritually and in our relationships with other people by this understanding.  So here is my word of encouragement for you: take time to carefully observe the Word of God today and every day. By doing so, you will be blessed and you will be empowered to bless others. 

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Observation #God’sWord

Balance in the Church

 

Welcome to Multiply, a podcast to encourage village church planters, pastors, and church leaders! We are Brad & Daneille Snowden and we’re delighted to be with you today. 

The word balance is defined as; “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side, and to bring into harmony or proportion.”

This is needed both in our personal lives and in the church, a balance of evangelizing the world and building-up in the Word of God. This is taught in the New Village Church Planting Term 4 curriculum, using the illustration of two legs representing evangelism and to build up. Quote: “The two legs must walk together, with good coordination and balance. Evangelizing unbelievers and building up believers should not be separated.”

God’s word simply applies the structural balance of evangelism and discipleship. In Isaiah 6:8 it says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, here am I, Lord send me.”

As we evangelize, the need to feed and grow is essential to balance out and build a healthy church. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 reads; “You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And these things, that you have heard from me, among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

The writer of Hebrews talks of running the race that is set before us. I ran marathons, and to finish and do well; I had to run smoothly as to not expel too much energy on unnecessary movements. My body had to work as a well-balanced machine, in order to function properly. The balance of the workings of the church, needs to be able to run the race successfully until Christ returns. 

I am picturing a one-legged person trying to run, even with an artificial leg this person would have a limp, making it difficult to balance well. The church cannot run this race set before us; accordingly, unless both elements function continually in harmony. 

As church leaders we need to be focused on the harmony between evangelization and the building up of the believers with God’s Word.  

This has been Multiply; will you share this podcast with others? And visit us on our website: vcpencouragement.org, and also on Facebook and YouTube.

Thank you and God bless!

Develop Leadership Gifts

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

When I was first sent out as a church planter, I knew I wanted to plant churches that would grow to become strong and healthy.  So I often asked myself, “What is the difference between a strong, healthy church and a weak, sickly church?”  As a church planter, you have probably asked the same question.  

Of course, there are many answers to this question. Healthy churches lift up Jesus as the savior of the world. Healthy churches obey his commandments.  Healthy churches have members who give generously of their resources and time.  I knew all this before I started planting churches.  But here is one thing I learned from personal experience as a church planters.  Healthy churches have strong members who share ministry responsibility. If a church is led by a church planter who does everything, it is not yet healthy. If the church planters, preaches, teaches evangelizes, organizes and carries out every event, every meeting, every class, every outreach, that church planter is not working with a healthy church.  Healthy churches have strong members who share ministry responsibility.  When the church planter can delegate responsibility to church members and know that they will do it, the church is moving toward health and strength.

The selection of elders for a new church is a transformational moment.  Church planters must examine well the candidates and their character.  It is also important to have elders with a variety of spiritual gifts. In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us that when Jesus ascended on high, he gave gifts to his people.  “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

What does this mean? This means that there are gifted people in your church.  Jesus has given your church a variety of gifted people.  Maybe your members have not fully manifested their gifts, but your people have apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral, and teaching gifts. Perhaps these gifts are not obvious to everyone, but with the eye of faith, you can see these gifts as they develop and grow.  When you see them, cultivate them.  When you see a teaching gift show up, no matter how small or weak, encourage the teacher. Give him or her more opportunities to use that teaching gift.  The same is true for evangelists.  When you see a person with a tiny gift for evangelism, help that person evangelize.  Help people with each of the five kinds of gifts use them. When you help others use their gifts, you will be building up a corps of leaders who will transform your church from weakness to strength and from frailty to health.  Just be sure of this, the transformation you hope for will not happen from one day to the next. It will take time.  But with the eye of faith, you can identify and cultivate gifted elders for your church.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #FiveFoldMinistry

Who Do You Need?

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

One of the most important steps you will take as a church planter is to identify, train, and appoint the first elders for your church. You will work closely in ministry with the new elders. Their actions and leadership will have a large impact on the reputation of your church. Because this is a transcendental step for a new church, you will need wisdom from the Lord.

Wisdom from on high can help you avoid two common mistakes that church planters make as they consider naming elders:  Don’t make these mistakes:

• Do not name many elders who have the same spiritual gifts you have. For example, church planters with the gift of evangelism often want to surround themselves with other evangelists.  But they really need men and women with other, complimentary gifts, such as administration or teaching. Pastoral leaders often want other care-givers to be on their elder board.  But they may need leaders with a let’s go, apostolic orientation on their team, not just those with pastoral gifts. So, do not name only elders who have the same spiritual gifts you have; name elders whose gifts compliment your own.

• Here is a second guideline: Don’t name elders who immediately agree with every idea you have for the development of your church.  We all love to be with people who agree with us.  We all want to be affirmed.  No one wants to be challenged at every turn. But if our elders just say, “Yes, that is a good idea.” every time we suggest a plan, they will not be very much help.

 You need leaders on your elder board who can hear your ideas and plans and then help you make those plans better.  You need elders who will challenge your thinking, but not your authority.  Let me repeat that. You need elders who will challenge your thinking, but not your authority.  Your elders need to be loyal to you and your church, but they do not have to endorse every suggestion you make.  Don’t name only elders who agree with every idea you have for the development of your church. You want elders who can challenge your thinking and work with you to improve your ideas.  

Remember, as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). So as you pray for God to lead you to elders to appoint for your newly planted church, pray for strong church members to join you.  Don’t make the mistake of looking for people who have the same strengths you have.  Find leaders whose gifts, talents, and experience compliment yours.  Don’t look for people who, without thinking say “yes” to every ministry idea you suggest. Find loyal, godly men and women who will challenge your thinking but not your authority. When you do, you will have found a great treasure.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #NameElders

Fresh Oil For Fresh Service

 

This is Multiply a podcast to encourage village church planters, pastors, and leaders I am Brad Snowden.

Psalm 92:10 &14 "But my horn my emblem of strength and power You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil for Your service.   V14 Growing in grace   they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh."

In the Old Testament when there would be one anointed for service they would use oil and pour it on the head. I am reminded of the time of David when Samuel anointed him to be the king of Israel. The image I see is that Samuel pouring all of the oil upon David’s head not just a few drops. It is that fresh anointing that will equip our minds as to allow God to guide us. The Lord has given great victories this past year and as we look to the New Year it is so important to seek His fresh oil of anointing. 

God has an amazing plan for each one of us for the New Year to come and the need we have is His guidance to help us understand our part in His plan. It is our dependence on Him to give us wisdom that will cause us to flourish during this New Year. It is my prayer that each one of us prosper in His plan to do His work planting churches, disciplining disciple makers, teaching and sharing God’s word in His strategic places. There are villages that are crying out for hope that they don’t have at this moment. These villages need God’s anointing to pour out so that a church may flourish with new lives being touched by the Lord. Oh that our minds and hearts would be open to the fresh work that He wants to do in us and in others. This coming year may we have a clean new focus like a clean piece of paper allowing God to write His agenda upon our hearts.

 Ephesians 3:20    "Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams, according to His power that is at work within us."

God is able to empower each one of us to carry out the plan set before each one of us. God is at work, and I pray that the strength needed flows through each one of us with freshness. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Please share this with others! Lord Bless you.

Principles of Leadership - Conclusion

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church

planters and leaders.

During 2022, my theme has been “10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership”. As we reach the end of the year, we are also reaching the end of this series. In 2023, I intend to focus upon the “One Another's" found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Here again are my 10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership.

1. Share the vision – Godly leaders instruct and inspire (speak to both the head and the heart).

Proverbs 29:18 instructs us that “where there is no vision, the people perish.” Another

translation reads, “where there is no vision, people cast off restraint.” Good and godly leaders

share the vision – frequently and consistently – so that the team can continue to work together

for a common goal.

2. Facilitate equipping – leaders create a culture of continuous learning and equipping. They take

responsibility to see that everyone in their organization is equipped for their role.

3. Define the expectations – leaders make clear to all “what success looks like”, both for the

organization and for each individual.

4. Explain the ground rules – leaders make clear how team members will interact with one

another, with those whom they serve, and with those outside the organization.

5. Be available – leaders practice and set the example for the “ministry of presence”. They make

time to build relationships and to provide selective mentoring and coaching.

6. Empower others – leaders learn to delegate responsibility … and the accompanying authority.

This develops followers into leaders, and it increases the capacity of the leader.

7. Get out of their way! Said another way, “Do not micro-manage.” Leaders make clear “what”

assignments are while allowing their followers flexibility to determine “how” assignments are to

be carried out. Sometimes others have better ways to do things than we do.

8. Provide feedback – leaders, having delegated responsibilities and the authority and resources

required to deliver results, must monitor outcomes and provide feedback. Feedback may be

positive reinforcement, or it may be corrective in nature. Our feedback needs to be specific and

not general in nature.

9. Practice accountability – leaders understand that accountability is part of delegation. Effective

leaders have expectations that are appropriate to others’ skill levels and experience.

10. Communicate! – Leaders realize that though this principle was last in our list, it’s actually the

most important of all. Our communication must be multi-directional; godly and effective

leaders must listen well … firstly to the Holy Spirit and then with others.

I hope that this series has been helpful. Please share your feedback in the WhatsApp group.

Until next year, this has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.