Deacon Ordination

Deacon Ordination Service

Introduction

Today, we have gathered to honor our Deacon candidates and to officially set them aside for the work of the ministry that they are called into. It is my pleasure to present to you Bo Doss, Chris Davis, Billy Wesson, and Mickie Conway for the office of Deacon, and today’s service is to set them aside. (Pray)

Role of a Deacon to the Church

Being a Deacon means that these men enter the leadership of our church, and I would like to pass onto them three responsibilities that are expected of Deacons.

First, deacons are to be care-takers (1 Peter 5:1-4)

1 Peter 5:1-4 says "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers; not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

Deacons are caretakers in the church, as God has ordained it. Although they are not the pastor, they are responsible for the membership and the care of those who attend our church. As a deacon, men, you will be expected to care for the members here, not only on Sunday and Wednesday but on all days.

When you care for someone, you are demonstrating the life of Jesus Christ. Your being available for them is paramount; and they need to see that in your life. Each human being is simply looking for someone to show us compassion and love, and most importantly commitment; and as a faithful man you have taken that step this morning to say even without words, "I am here, and I am available to you."

I would ask that the wives of our Deacons remember this as well. It is a tough road to travel in the ministry; and your husband will need your support and understanding in order to be successful. Be there to lift them up; to pray for them; and to be a sounding board so they can be care-takers of our church. A man ought to have a wife he can trust and he can talk too (without rumors being started), and today I challenge you as well to accept that role; to embrace it; and to excel in it.

Second, deacons are to prayer warriors (James 5:14-16).

James 5:14 says "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord."

Since the beginning of the Church, elders have had to meet specific qualifications in order to serve. They have lived their lives upright and godly and therefore the sin in their lives is confessed regularly; so that they (YOU) are clean before the Lord and able to pray for the sick.

James continues in chapter 5 (vv. 15-16) and says, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

NIV v16 says: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

In order to have your prayers be effective, you need to be clean before the Lord; and that amplifies having a right relationship with Him. No one should ever say that they are sinless (for that is impossible), but if your sins are confessed to the Lord, it means your relationship with Him will be upright, and so you can pray for others effectively.

The key to a strong ministry is prayer -- NEVER allow your prayer life to suffer for anything that may come your way. Let me ask: Is your ministry suffering? I challenge you today to examine your prayer life – for that is normally where the deficiency is.

Lastly, deacons are to set the example (1 Tim 3:8-10).

1 Tim 3:8-10 says, "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons."

Deacons are different than a Pastor, they are not above a pastor but they are also responsible for the condition of the flock.