Leadership Matters
I Timothy 3:8-13
Pastor Jefferson Williams
Chenoa Baptist Church
02-21-2021
[Asteroid Video]
Here’s the main point for these sermons:
Everything rises and falls on leadership and a church will only go as far as their leadership can take them.
Three weeks ago, we began our sermon series on the little book of Titus by studying the first four verses and learning five marks of a healthy church:
1. A healthy church is full of individuals who are passionate about people coming to faith in Christ and are willing to do anything short of sin to share the Gospel with them.
2. A healthy church is full of people who are on a faith journey. For the ones that claim Christ as Savior, they are always growing always changing. They are different than they were 5 days ago, 5 months ago, 5 years ago.
3. A healthy church is full of people who want to make a difference in this life but also realize this life is just the prologue to eternity. Their hope is in heaven and nowhere else.
4. A healthy church is full of people that understand that the preaching of the Gospel is the most important thing we do as a church. They wake up on a Sunday morning with a holy anticipation that God is going to do miracles through His Word.
5. A healthy church is full of people who are disciples of Jesus who make other disciples of Jesus. It’s not an option. It’s a command.
Two weeks ago, we explored 1:5-9 and dove deep into the qualifications for the office of elder inn the church.
I answered three questions -
Is it Biblical to have a plurality of elders in a church? Obviously, the answer is yes.
Is it Baptist? After exploring the history of Baptist creeds and confessions, the answer is yes.
Is it best? In the leadership structure we have at Chenoa Baptist Church, I’m the lone elder. This isn’t healthy for the church or me as a pastor.
A plurality of elders helps take some of the burdens of caring for the flock off my shoulders.
Elders are shepherds. This week, I read about Carl Lentz’s Sunday routine. Carl was the pastor of Hillsong New York (until he was discovered to be committing adultery) and hung out with celebrities like Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin.
He would be picked up at his house in a limo and driving to the church. He was snuck in a back door and spend the rest of the morning in the green room watching sports or talking to whatever Hollywood superstar that was there that day. He would speak and then exit out the back to the waiting limo.
That’s not a shepherd!
A plurality of elders provides me with accountability that I don’t currently have right now.
Ravi Zacharias was a friend of Maxine’s mother and served on her board of directors. People have asked how did RZIM not know about his sexual sins that is now known to be decades long.
Bill Hybels fall from grace was heartbreaking to me and Maxine. I’ve never seen someone share the Gospel clearer and more passionately than Bill. He was ultimately fired by the church he started 45 years ago. So how did the leadership not confront him on his his inappropriate relationships?
James McDonald grew Harvest Bible Chapel into a megachurch and was a dynamic preacher and leader. Yet, he was ultimately fired because of his inappropriate behavior.
Mark Driscoll grew Mars Hill in Seattle into a Mecca for the young, restless, and reformed. He started the Acts 29 network of churches. He is a brilliant preacher (preaches an hour with no notes) and fantastic writer. He was fired for his inappropriate behavior and it brought down the entire church. How did this happen?
These men were supernaturally gifted. These men were brilliant leaders. These men obviously had tremendous flows in their character. They got too big for the leadership. They became Christian celebrities. Their elders and deacons were afraid of them and therefore they had no accountability.
I actually could have at least five more on this slide. And I want you to hear me. There but the grace of God go I. A pastor without accountability is in a dangerous position.
A plurality of elders is Biblically wise because it helps me make better decisions.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov 15:22)
I would encourage you to go back and watch that sermon if you missed it.
This morning we are going to take a short detour and explore the other office within the church, that of deacon.
We will be camping in two sets of verses this week - Acts 6 and I Timothy 3.
Turn with me to Acts 6.
Prayer.
The Problem
“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.” (Acts 6:1)
The church was growing exponentially and was on the verge of going global.
Satan wasn’t happy and threw everything he could at them, including one of his favorite strategies - disunity.
The widows among the disciples were being taken care of and food was provided for them on a weekly basis.
But the system had a flaw. The Hellenistic Jews who spoke Greek and were not from Jerusalem, started to complain that their widows were being ignored in the food distribution.
When Maxine and I moved to Philadelphia, Mississippi it was hilarious the way people responded to Maxine. When she started talking, she got a lot of “You’re not from around here, are you?” responses.
This is how the Hebraic Jews felt about the Hellenists. They didn’t speak Hebrew or Aramaic. They had their own synagogues were Greek was spoken. They didn’t fit in. They weren’t from around there.
This was a huge problem. The church was growing, people were getting saved daily, and the Spirit was doing amazing things among them.
Disunity could derail all that progress.
The Priority
“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.” (Acts 6:2)
The Apostles knew that this situation needed to be handled in the right way or this little problem could explode.
They called the disciples together and reaffirmed their priorities. Their main tasks was the teaching, preaching, evangelism, discipling new believers, and ministry of the Word of God.
They could not fulfill their calling if they spent all their time “waiting on tables.”
I believe that everyone who wants to be a leader in the church should have waited tables as some point in their past.
A good waiter in able to anticipate needs and meets those needs before they even ask.
I waited tables at Dixie Cafe and Red Lobster. It’s a hard job and if you do not look at it in terms of ministry, you will not last long.
The apostles knew their priorities so they knew how to delegate.
In other words, they needed help.
The Proposal
“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.” (Acts 6:3-4)
The Apostles gave the group the responsibly to chose seven men from among them. How would they know who to pick?
These men would be lead by the Spirit, full of faith, and have supernatural wisdom.
The seven would take over the distribution of the food so the apostles could concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Picking the Seven
“This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:5-6)
The group looked around and saw that there were seven men that fit the qualifications.
I love that the apostles allowed the group to choose the men that would lead this endeavor.
The wonderful thing about the choosing of the seven is that all seven are Greek names!
The majority choose seven members of the minority to lead this effort. This lead to goodwill and trust within the group.
The apostles laid hands on them and prayed to commission them, confirming the group’s choices.
The Payoff
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)
What was the result? Disaster was averted and the church continued to grow.
Dr. Luke adds something incredible right at the end. A large number of priests that had been so hostile to Jesus became “obedient to the faith.”
While these seven are not called deacon, most commentators believe that this is the prototype for the office of deacon that we see later in the New Testament.
Turn with me to I Timothy 3:8-13.
What is a Deacon?
By the time we get to the writing of the Pastoral Letters (I and II Timothy, Titus), the office of deacon seems to be firmly established.
Timothy is ministering in Ephesus and Paul gives him the qualifications for elders and deacons in chapter 3.
The word that we translate “deacon” simply means servant or service. It’s used that way over one hundred times in the Bible.
The Greeks view service as a menial task. They were raised to rule over not serve others.
Jewish thought considered service good, especially when it was toward God and the poor. Over time, service developed as something to be done for righteous people but not for one’s who didn’t deserve it.
Deaconing, service, was to be the hallmark of the Christian life.
Five times it is used specifically to describe the leadership office of deacon. We see it in Timothy and Philippians.
Paul begins his letter to the church at Philippi:
“To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…” (Phil 1:1)
But what is a deacon?
Pastor John Piper defines the office of deacon:
“The deacon office exists to assist the leadership of the church by relieving the elders of distractions and processes that would divert them away from the ministry of the Word and prayer.”
One of the pastors I listened to this week used a ladder to make the point. Deacons are ministry leaders that hold the ladder for the pastor and elders as they provide vision and leadership for the church.
There is not a lot of details about what deacons are to do but it seems that they were the ones that served as ministry leaders in the area of finance, buildings, ministering to widows and widowers, showing care through helping people in need.
At Chenoa Baptist Church, we have six deacons at present.
Ken Albrecht is over the sound booth and building a tech team, junior and senior high classes, and a future men’s ministry.
Colleen Evans is over communion, funeral dinners, baptisms, and women’s ministry.
Angel Rabey is over Sunday service music, the office, and the finances.
Les Roberts is over the building and grounds, supervises Dee and the cleaning team, and handles the insurance.
Les Stevens is over adult Sunday school, nursery and children’s ministry, outreach, and our security team.
Mike Todd is over missions, our small group ministry that will be starting later this year, ushers and greeter teams.
These six deacons and myself compose the leadership team at CBC.
This is a spiritual office and the qualifications are just as high as they were for elders. The only difference is that elders are specifically gifted and called to preach and deacons are not.
When I first came to CBC I had someone say to me that “she hadn’t had a turn yet being a deacon.”
That’s not how the office of deacon works.
I also was told that no one would be a deacon because the deacons are treated so poorly here.
Let me remind you of the writer of Hebrews admonition:
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
Let's look at the qualifications for the office of deacon that Paul gives to Timothy.
Qualifications of Deacons I Tim 3
“In the same way, deacons are to be 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….A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ( I Timothy 3:8-10-12)
He begins with “in the same way.” The qualification for deacons are just as high as for elders.
Deacons are not junior elders or elders in training. There are people who are gifted for the office of deacon that are not gifted to be elders and people who are gifted for the office of elder and not deacon.
Notice that just like elders character is more important that competence, charisma, or gifts.
These individuals must be:
worthy of respect
Instead of beginning with “above reproach,” deacons are to be worthy of respect.
This individual is dignified, serious, stable in mind and character. They handle their responsibilities in and out of church. They display integrity in all they do.
sincere
Literally this means not “double tongued.” This is someone whose word can be trusted. They are not gossipy and cannot be accused of being a hypocrite.
I worked with a ministry leader who would say one thing in a meeting with this group and then say something else to another group. When I called him on this, he responded that I needed to “learn to play the game.” I said that I wouldn’t play the game if it required me to lie.
Will Rogers said that is the the type of man who is not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip!
Why is verbal honesty so important for a deacon? Because they are the lead servants. They are involved in people’s lives and are privy to information that others don’t know.
They need to be able to keep that trust with the sheep that what’s shared with them stays with them.
not indulging in much wine
Are you seeing a pattern? This individual has self control.
I’ve said this before, the Bible never teaches abstinence from alcohol. But it does teach wisdom and moderation.
Morgan Wallen is a country music star who currently has about 15 songs on the Country top 50 chart.
A couple of weeks ago, he was filmed yelling racial slurs at some friends. He was drunk.
In fact, he admitted that he was on hour 72 of a 72 hour bender.
He issued an apology video and he ended with these words:
I want to end this update on a more positive note. Since that video was taken, I’ve been sober for nine days. It’s not that long of a time but it's enough to know the man in that video is not the man I’m trying to be. I’ve had this week to think about times when I’m sober and I’m really proud of who I am and my actions for the most part. When I look on the times that I’m not [sober], it seems to be where the majority of my mistakes are made.”
A deacon is responsible to be mentally sharp and use sound judgement.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18)
not pursuing dishonest gain.
This is a man who is honest in his dealings with people and doesn’t take unfair financial advantage of others. They aren’t greedy and they don’t serve for the pay or the honor.
Why is this important? Because the deacons manage the money of the church and use the mercy fund to meet the needs of the community.
This is an individual that people have unwavering trust in when it comes to handling the finances of the church.
They must keep hold of the faith with a clear conscience
While deacons are not called to be the the main teachers in the church, it doesn’t mean that they do not possess a deep love for God’s Word and a burning desire to see others comes to Christ.
Your translation may say “the mystery of the faith.” This is the mystery that has now been revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul ends his letter to the Romans explaining what this entails:
"Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith…” (Romans 16:25-26)
Deacons must be able to tenaciously defend the faith and explain the faith to unbelievers.
When we think of our conscience, we often picture Jiminy Cricket sitting on our shoulder singing “let your conscience be your guide.”
But a conscience damaged by sin can mislead you.
The thundering preacher Jonathan Edwards compared the conscience to a sundial and God’s Word to the sun. Only sunlight can give the correct reading. Moonlight, candlelight, iPhone torch, will all give wrong readings.
Because they understand the connection between right thinking and right living, their consciences are clear of any accusation against them.
He must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons
In Mississippi, I got a call from a friend we will call Stewart. I’ll never forget standing in his garage as he pulled out a letter from the church and started reading it to me.
The letter was asking if he would like be considered as a deacon. He looked at me with complete astonishment and said, “Jeff, do you think I could be a deacon?”
I had been discipling him for a while so I knew I could talk straight. I asked, “Stewart, I are you a born again Christian?” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “I guess so.” I responded, “And that’s why you can be a deacon!”
In fact, Stewart was not a born again Christian and the church had asked him to serve in leadership! Something in that system was broken.
Paul tells Timothy that this individual should be tested. We aren’t told exact what this testing entails but it obviously includes his reputation within the church and outside the church in the community.
A deacon must be faithful to his wife
Your translation may have “a husband of one wife.” Literally the Greek reads “a one woman man.”
On Crete, it was normal for a man to be a “three woman man.” He would have a mistress, a concubine or favorite prostitute, and the his wife for bearing children.
A deacon has a reputation for sexual fidelity in their marriage. No flirting with other women. No delving into porn.
They are faithful to their wife. They love and cherish her and his marriage can be held up as an example to others, especially younger couple.
We need not make this qualities wooden or rigid. Can a single man be an deacon? Of course, Jesus was single and so was Paul!
Can a man that has been divorced be a deacon? That question has been debated for a long time. Here’s where I land.
The qualification seems to be in the present tense and focuses on their present relationship.
What if a man has been divorced before he was a Christian? What was done before Christ is gone and the new has come.
If I man has been divorced, then it’s important to listen to the story and see if it was a Biblical reason for the divorce.
If the divorce was recent, it is prudent for a man to not be considered for eldership and they focus on healing.
and must manage his children and his household well
He is to the leader in his home. He is to see his home as his first church and be active in discipling and training up his children in the faith.
I’ve known amazing couple that did everything right and their children don’t believe and I’ve known couples that did nothing at all, like my parents, and both my brother and I are not only Christians but pastors.
No child is perfect and we need to give kids space for God to work in their lives. But they are to have some sense of control of the children so that they are going wild on the sin Island of Crete.
But this qualification expects the children to be obedient and for the man to serve and lead his household well. This seems to be focused on children living in the house)
Rewards for Being a Deacon
“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” (I Tim 3:13)
Those that serve well in the capacity of deacon are promised two amazing rewards.
an excellent standing - respect of and influence with among the church and the outside community.
a great assurance in the faith in Christ Jesus - there is a confidence, and boldness in their own faith. They have an ever deepening certainty in drawing close to God in Christ.
Can Women be Deacons?
If you were paying close attention, you might have noticed that I skipped a verse. I did that on purpose so we could come back to it now.
While it is near from Scripture that women can’t serve as elders because of the teaching function associated with that office, the question at hand is whether women can serve as deacons.
Let me make my case but I’ll tell you upfront that I believe women can serve as deacons. I married a female deacon! [My wife’s maiden name is Deacon]
Let’s look at verse 11:
“In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” (I Tim 3:11)
This verses has been a source of theological controversy since it was written.
Who is Paul talking about? Is he talking about the deacon’s wives? While it is true that deacon’s wives are vital to their ministry, is this who is talking about here?
Many commentators believe this verse is directed toward female deacons.
So female deacons should be everything that male deacons are plus four specific qualifications:
worthy of respect
not malicious talkers - slanderers. Literally “diabolus.” Don’t be like the devil and slander or lie about people.
Let me remind you again of Scott Sauls definition of gossip:
“Gossip is pornography of the mouth. A cheap thrill that offers zero commitment to the person being objectified.”
temperate - stable in all areas
trustworthy in everything
Being a deacon does not involve teaching but serving, so it is obvious that a women could serve in that role.
In Romans 16, we see Paul call Phoebe a deacon that was tasked with delivering the letter to the Roman church.
Church historians tell us that very early women deacons were present in the churches.
The 19th century pastor B.B. Warfield wrote, “A [healthy] church cannot do without deaconesses as an [office] for doing good.”
Application
As we take steps on our road to revitalization at CBC, there are several things you can do.
1. let’s make sure that we are growing in all these areas personally.
Richard Baxter, the old Puritan preacher, wrote:
“ Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine…lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hindrances of the success of your own labors.”
Pastor David Platt lists some questions to consider while considering someone as a deacon:
Is this person honorable?
Is this person genuine?
Is this person a disciple who makes disciples who makes disciples?
Is this person self-controlled?
24 year old Florida man Joshua James was arrested for assault after throwing a 3.5 foot alligator threw a Wendy’s drive thru window! He would not qualify as a deacon!
Is this person a sacrificial giver?
Is this person driven by a missional mindset?
Is this person devoted to the Word?
Is this person faithful? (Not perfect)
I would like you to look at the screen right now and spend some time in prayer asking God to help you grow in these areas.
2. Join a team.
In 1990, I started attending an outreach at the University of Memphis. Everyone was strongly encouraged to be part of a team and the carpet team recruited me. I wasn’t even a Christian in this picture but I rode my bike over over Wednesday night and spent over an hour rolling out and taping down carpet to get ready for BREAK.
Each deacon is building teams for the different ministries they oversee. What team will you be a part of? This is a small church and we can not afford anyone that wants to just come and sit and soak. Let the deacon know how you are going to serve.
Research has shown that if a church is to grow, 60% of its people need to be actively involved in the ministry of the church.
3. See the Need, Meet the Need - in one sense we are all “deacons” in that we are called to serve others. Earlier in the service, I put up the prayer slide and highlighted multiple people who have cancer. Have you called them, texted them, sent them a card lately?
Thursday was a bad day. I was still in pain from my ribs and then I had a procedure to remove a cyst from my leg. Truthfully, I was having a pity party.
Then Shiann walked into my house with her big beautiful baby belly and a armful of blow pops and other candy. It was a simple gesture that absolutely meant the world to me.
Ken Albrecht did the same thing when he showed up with pie for me and one for Maxine.
Look around. There are needs all around you. Most of them can be met easily. Maybe it’s a smile or a hug. Or blow pops.
4. Take up the Basin and the Towel
John and James had an audacious request of Jesus. When He brought in the kingdom, they wanted to sit at His right and left hand.
When the others heard about their appeal, they were furious. Jesus settles the debate:
“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant [deacon], and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served [deacon], but to serve [deacon], and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)
One commentator said it this way:
“ It is only in Jesus that we learn what diakonia really is, the loving service in mercy that looks for no reward beyond the knowledge that we do what is commanded of us and looks for no thanks from those to whom mercy is extended, but it only because of this Jesus has made our cause His very own, sharing our existence in servitude and sharing with us His own life of love, that we may and can engage in this kind of diakonia in Him.”
