Kim Walker - Break Every Chain (MorningStar Ministries)

Elders & Deacons in the Church

1 Timothy 3

English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Qualifications for Overseers or Elders.

3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5ff

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Elders

A list of duties for elders can be compiled from New Testament texts which refer directly to elders and the things for which they are said to be responsible. These observations can be organized in the following way.

Take the Oversight

Oversee the particular flock to which the Holy Spirit assigns them. (Acts 20:28)

Take the oversight of the flock willingly, and of a ready mind: not by constraint, for filthy lucre, or as being lords. (I Peter 5:2-3)

Take care of the church. (I Timothy 3:5)

Rule. (Hebrews 13:7)

Rule well. (I Timothy 5:17)

Consider matters – including doctrinal matters. (Acts 15:6)

Send chosen men to answer matters. (Acts 15:22)

Ordain decrees – establish policy. (Acts 16:4)

Be Available

Labor among the people. (I Thessalonians 5:12)

Take heed unto all the flock. (Acts 20:28)

Feed

Feed the flock of God. (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2)

Speak the word of God. (Hebrews 13:7)

Labor in the word and doctrine. (I Timothy 5:17)

Exhort

Watch for the souls of the people. (Hebrews 13:17)

Admonish the people. (I Thessalonians 5:12)

Warn the flock. (Acts 20:31)

Give account for the people either with joy or with grief. (Hebrews 13:17)

Hold fast the faithful word to exhort and to convince the gainsayers by sound doctrine. (Titus 1:9)

Minister

Support the weak. (Acts 20:34)

Pray over the sick when called. (James 5:14)

Direct the sick to proper medical treatment. (James 5:14)

Monitor Your Own Life

Take heed unto themselves. (Acts 20:28)

Watch for wolves and for perverse speakers among themselves. (Acts 20:31)

Labour, using their own hands to minister unto their own needs and the needs of those who are with them. (Acts 20:33,34)

Remember Jesus’ words, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:34)

Be an example. (I Peter 5:3)

Maintain a faith that can be followed, demonstrating the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7)

http://www.northhillsbiblechurch.org/wordpress/?p=297

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own household.

Acts 6; 1-7 ESV 

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ³ Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. ⁷ And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priestsbecame obedient to the faith.

Deacons in the New Testament included Epaphrus (Colossians 1:7), Tychichus (Ephesians 6:21), Timothy (I Thessalonians 3:2), Mark (II Timothy 4:11), Stephanas (I Corinthians 16:15), Onesiphorous (II Timothy 1:18), Archippus (Colossians 4:17), among others. It is interesting to note also, that even though Paul had the authoritative position of Apostle, he identified himself as fulfilling the role of a deacon in many ministry contexts. The implication of this is that the role of primary leadership in the church includes many deacon type responsibilities. The basic distinction between the offices of elder and deacon is that elders rule and deacons do not. Otherwise there are many similarities between the two offices. A list of duties for deacons can be compiled by observing the biblical references to the things men did in the role of deaconing.

Labour in the Gospel, preaching Christ. (I Thessalonians 3:2; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23; II Corinthians 4:1,5)

Edify the saints. (II Corinthians 3:3; I Thessalonians 3:2)

Distribute financial aid (benevolence). (Romans 15:25; II Corinthians 8 and 9)

Carry messages of spiritual concern from one believer to another. (Colossians 1:8; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:22)

Labour fervently in prayer for the spiritual welfare of other believers. (Colossians 4:12)

Be zealous toward other believers. (Colossians 4:13; II Timothy 1:17)

Comfort the hearts of believers. (Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 4:7)

Comfort believers concerning their faith. (I Thessalonians 3:2)

Help and labor. (I Corinthians 16:15-16; Hebrews 6:10)

Refresh the imprisoned. (II Timothy 1:16)

Seek to reconcile the lost. (II Corinthians 5:18)

Express spiritual gifts to one another. (I Peter 4:10)

http://www.northhillsbiblechurch.org/wordpress/?p=297

Sherlock

Christian Marriage & Dating

http://blog.christianconnection.co.uk/i-was-wondering-about-playing-against-type/

* I made a decision, some time ago had to re-post other people's blog's but this caught my attention, so I'm reposting it.*

I was wondering… about playing against type

I had a type. It changed occasionally (OK, regularly), sometimes depending on the last film I had seen or whoever I had just passed in the street. But there was always someone – a hypothetical someone – who ticked all the boxes. An invisible standard, lurking in my subconscious, by which all potential suitors would be measured. I just had to wait for her to glide majestically into view.

And then I passed 30.

Maybe you’re there already; maybe the magical milestone is still to come, but whichever side of the big 3-0 you happen to reside, there’s something you might have noticed. Although I didn’t look dramatically different – well, apart from a sudden love for support tights and elasticated waists, obviously – once word was out perceptions changed. Have you seen ‘Bride Wars’? I won’t judge you if you say yes. Thanks to my hairy, tattooed brother (yes really) I have, and a concept from it stuck in my mind. In summary: 30 is the last age a man will go out with a woman of his own age; after that, he always goes younger. A woman over 30, therefore, should expect the attentions of older men, not men the same age, who would only be interested in younger women.

Hmm. Thankfully God didn’t write ‘Bride Wars’.

And yet it seemed some people enthusiastically bought into this notion. I was suddenly suggested as the perfect companion for significantly older men. In one case, I was solemnly assured, because the gentleman in question had “never grown up” (hopefully not one of those chaps fond of wearing nappies). I was also told if I could hang on for a few more years I could catch the second-time-rounders back on the ‘market’, or even bide my time, staring intently from a distance without introduction, for some poor chaps to recover from tragically being widowed. None of it seemed terribly romantic. Slightly alarming, yes. Sinister? Just a little. A pre-defined role as a companion to the heartbroken (or Peter Pan) and I – and maybe they -didn’t get much say in what happened next. So much for having a type. I was already being typecast.

But then I looked around at couples I knew and saw a lot more variety. Differences in age, culture, race, education, height, weight and background. Men older than women but also (gasp!) women older than men. One couple born on the same day in the same year now excited about becoming grandparents. Couples who met at youth group and university and church but also couples who met on blind dates, by chance in nightclubs, even on trains. Unexpected matches in which both flourished. Where types didn’t apply, because something deeper had kicked in.

So when long-time single friends* announced they had found love with older, divorced single parents despite having devoted years to hooking super-hot, younger, uncomplicated matches it made me wonder. On paper (or online) it can seem so straightforward. This is what I want. Don’t even talk to me if you don’t fit. The delightfully misused ‘God will give me the desires of my heart’ wheeled out to justify preferences, but unless we’re perfect (except me, obviously) we need to broaden our horizons. Let character, sense of humour, inspiring conversation, kindness, even differences and challenges, draw us to others. Prepare to be surprised. See what we might be missing. Say goodbye to types and hello to possibilities.

*Male and female. Did you guess? 

Written by Vicky Walker   Posted in: Dating, Singleness

About Vicky Walker

Vicky Walker is a writer and speaker, among other things. Her book ‘Do I have to be good all the time?’ about life, love and awkward moments is available now from www.vickywalker.info

Gay couple to sue church over gay marriage opt-out

Gay couple to sue church over gay marriage opt-out

Acquitted - Bethel Church feat. Jeremy Riddle

Send the Fire, William Booth

1. 1.       Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   Thy blood-bought gift today we claim,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   Look down and see this waiting host,
   Give us the promised Holy Ghost;
   We want another Pentecost,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   2.      God of Elijah, hear our cry:
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   To make us fit to live or die,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   To burn up every trace of sin,
   To bring the light and glory in,
   The revolution now begin,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   3.      ’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   The fire will meet our every need,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   For strength to ever do the right,
   For grace to conquer in the fight,
   For pow’r to walk the world in white,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   4.      To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   To live a dying world to save,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   Oh, see us on Thy altar lay
   Our lives, our all, this very day;
   To crown the off’ring now we pray,
   Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
   <