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