Deacons @ Vintage21
The biblical mandate to usher the world into the Kingdom of God is clear but rarely actualized. • John 3:16-17 • Matthew 28:19
“All the world†Ë “All the world†starts with “All the Triangleâ€
What does “all†mean? 1% Factor
What will vision cost you? • Re-organize – Reverse Engineering • Risk • Sacrifice
Why would I ask you to reorganize your life, take risks and make sacrifices -> Calling
What is calling? • Recreatedness • Given to do
Recreatedness
Sin
1 Peter 2:9
How good is our God? ... How will we respond?
Royal Priests – Priests were doers of ministry
Every follower of Christ is a Priest
You should strive to fill this office
In the New Testament the Priesthood is broken up into 2 categories – Elders & Deacons
Why strive to be a Deacon?
The second half of calling is secured in the fact that you have been uniquely gifted to accomplish Kingdom priorities that only you can accomplish.
I Corinthians 12 Romans 12
July’s Owner Night was about Spiritual Gifts: 1) Go online and listen 2) Check the study page to download a Spiritual Gifts assessment. Get plugged in.
Biblical definition of deacon
Deacons are doers of ministry—significant ministry that must be accomplished. They carry much more weight than a volunteer. Their role/ministry is key to accomplishing the mission—If they drop the ball, huge aspects of the Kingdom will suffer. Sometimes Deacons are managers of others, sometimes they are doers of ministry, sometimes they are both.
Biblical Qualifications
I Timothy 3
Our structure has needed revision for some time: • New structure could be Huge —Laity-built churches vs. Staff-built churches • Biggest Disaster of all time—this could take us down
The Importance of Systems and Structures
The Structure
Elders -> Elder(s) over deacons -> Lead Deacons -> Deacons -> Volunteers
When are new Deacons added? Continuously - Manage growth - Fill a need - Calling - Elders raise a new ministry and need leadership over
How a person becomes a deacon? - Follower of Christ - Owner at Vintage21 - Have to be tested - Directing Elder and Lead Deacon makes the call with the agreement of Elder board
How long does a person serve? No terms/no limits - Disqualifies themselves - Moves away - Backs out – this should not happen if calling is realized:
Lead Deacons
Acts 7 –Stephen was chosen as the head of the deacons
Lead deacons oversee a group of deacons They are first among peers Their primary job is to cast vision, empower, find volunteers and care for deacons under them All Lead Deacons will serve under an Elder Deacons Needed
Assimilation –Lead Deacon –Jane Schelbe Welcoming new people Plugging owners into Home Groups and volunteering Closing the back door First impressions – Courtney Hodgson Volunteer Coordinator
Prayer
Sunday Service & Events – Matt Stevens Service Director…many directors under Service Design & Implementation Tech Director–Jeremy Allen Recording Set-up/Tear Down Chairs/Tables Café Building –Joseph Lizotte Worship/Band admin. Events
Finances & Administration –Lead Deacon Bills/Management Offering & Deposit Grant writing Weekly Printing
Design –Lead Deacon Print Copy Editing Website Video Photography Building Design
Tech – Lead Deacon - Website/Email - Computers/Equipment
Spiritual Formation –Lead Deacon Theological development Women’s Ministry Men’s Ministry College Ministry –Lead Deacon –Heather Patterson Café Spiritual Development Post-college home group Musical worship Social Justice Missionality Classes Children’s Ministry –Lead Deacon –Erika Lizotte Curriculum Administrative Rooms Special Events
Home Groups –Lead Deacon –Jason Jones Coaches Home Group Leaders
Missionality –Lead Deacon Theology on Tap Concerts Building Use First Friday Art Show Geographical missionality
Church Planting –Lead Deacon Regionals/Boot Camp Tech/Design Coaching/Helps
Social Justice –Lead Deacon –Jarred Mercer Labor Ready Breakfast Community Development International Justice and Missions Refugee and Immigrant Ministry Justice awareness
Counseling & Care –Lead Deacon Family Care Crisis Care Biblical Counseling Pre-marriage counseling Marriage counseling “Triage†-directs to professional Counseling