A Focused Purpose

In keeping with the whole boundaries theme, I find it necessary to remind myself that boundaries are useful for ensuring that others do not take more from me than I have to give, however, on the flip side, they also prevent me from losing focus and taking on more than I need to. Identifying clear boundary lines enables and empowers me to do what I am called to do. As the pastor of a small church, this is something of which I am only now discovering the value - indeed, the necessity.
Being a deacon presents an interesting dynamic. You are a member of the church and so are empowered and encouraged to begin or get involved in any ministry that fits the church's purpose and process. However, you are also ordained - set aside - by the membership to serve the church in a specific function. As deacons your calling is to minister to the needs of the church. The deacon ministry is not, in its intent, an evangelistic ministry, nor is it a ministry that leads the church in the adoption, development, and implementation of programs or ministries. These things are the calling of the leadership team, elder board, or associate pastors (depending on church structure). Here is where the confusion typically sets in: as a member, you can be involved in the church and serve according to your passions and desires, but as a deacon your ministry is to the people of the church.
The deacon ministry, as modeled in scripture (Acts 6), protects and promotes the unity of the church by ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the church and so partnering in the ministry of the word. What that looks like in our church is this:
1) Keeping in touch with members and regular attenders and getting to know them so that you can be effective in counsel, encouragement, and exhortation.
2) Encouraging individuals to get connected in community with one another through small group interaction by getting your care group together for a meal, prayer, or Bible study, or by encouraging individuals to get involved in a small group that might meet them at their need.
3) Facilitating small group service projects where members can use their time, talents, treasures, and passions together for the benefit of others.

If we attempt to make the deacon ministry more than what it is meant to be, we become ineffective. Just as the body cannot be all one part, so one part cannot be the whole body. It takes each part doing it's job and allowing the other parts to do theirs. Don't overextend yourself in ministry, but stay focused and purposeful. Only then can we be powerful and effective.

With you in His service,
Michael

Helping the Broken, Wounded, and Needy

It is one thing to say we need boundaries, but another to actually live within them. It has been brought to my attention that there is a need to establish some healthy boundaries as people begin to come to you as ministers of the Gospel with their issues and struggles.
Since you have a heart for people, you will long to be able to fix the brokenness of their lives. This, however, is a very delicate area. Most of us, honestly, lack the training or the experience to really succeed at bringing someone through such a trial as abuse or addiction (chemical or other). Though it is the Holy Spirit's job to change hearts, heal hurts, and free the captives, we can do great harm if we are not careful. Therefore, just as much as we need to establish boundaries for others (i.e. "don't call me on Fridays" or "I simply can't help you that day, try calling ____."), it is equally important for us to establish boundaries for ourselves.
There will come a time when someone who has come to you needs more than what you can offer. Always pray for them, but do not hesitate to refer them to a professional counselor or to a recovery facility or shelter if need be. Taking in a battered wife, for example, is not a good idea. This can put you and your family in harm's way and it opens the door for transference of feelings and/or temptation. Remember, the church is a body and each part plays a vital role in realizing victory in the lives of God's children. If you are unsure as to whether you ought to invest more of yourself in a hurting individual, a professional counselor or your pastor is a good resource to help offer direction.
Should someone share information regarding physical harm (to themselves by themselves or by others...or threatening others) we are obligated by law to involve the appropriate authorities. It is only fair to let someone know ahead of time of your obligation to report certain instances - especially if they ask you not to share what they are going to tell you with anyone. Again, as a deacon, it may be wise to involve the pastor or a professional counselor in such matters and go through the reporting process together.
We cannot live people's lives for them, and it is not always helping to just take the struggle away from them. Additionally, we only have as much authority in one's life as they give us so we cannot simply barge in and tell them how it's going to be from now on. Broken people must be handled delicately, with care, patience, and consistency.

With you in His service,
Michael

Happy New Year!!

Though God is eternal and unchanging, something about the New Year always carries with it the expectation of newness and anticipation. I look forward to the things God will be doing in, through, and around us this year as, together, we Build a Community of Faith for the glory of God our Father.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings,
Michael