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April 6, 2019 by Jeff Jones
Since, as we’ve seen, the elders are responsible to initiate and guide the process of a deacon’s nomination and examination by the congregation, as well as to make the final decision on whether they will be appointed, it means deacons are, in the final analysis, subject to the elders of the local church. That’s why deacons are, at the end of the process, appointed by the elders....
March 29, 2019 by Jeff Jones
So churches need to try and test the character and maturity of their deacon nominees prior to their appointment by the elders, a process that requires time and familiarity. That’s the deacon’s examination....
March 22, 2019 by Jeff Jones
Biblical deacons, then, are to be examined by the assembly. That’s at the heart of the deacon’s nomination for office....
March 15, 2019 by Jeff Jones
Deacons, again, are to guard the unity of the church and the ministry of the elders from the demands of practical problems. Appreciating such problems requires the careful definition of each deacon’s role....
March 8, 2019 by Jeff Jones
There is only one qualification Paul mentions to Timothy that is not found in Acts 6, and it is that qualification we now turn to examine: the deacon’s purity....
February 28, 2019 by Jeff Jones
This combination of a practical, nuts-and-bolts focus and a separation from doctrinal and pastoral oversight ministry might tempt a church to overlook the piety and conviction of a candidate. That would be a grave mistake....
February 22, 2019 by Jeff Jones
The very fact that this responsibility requires dedicated attention should tell us that it may not come easily, and that not just anyone will be able to fulfill it. It’s no surprise, then, that the third qualification emphasized by the apostles in Acts 6 is wisdom......
February 15, 2019 by Jeff Jones
Having seen last week that the first qualification of a potential deacon is a solid reputation, we now turn to look at the second qualification found in Acts chapter 6: being “full of the Spirit.” Of all the qualifications, this one is perhaps most at risk of being misunderstood in the present day. What does “filled with the Spirit” mean?...
February 8, 2019 by Jeff Jones
Now that we’ve looked at the intent, mission, and objective of the New Testament deacon, it’s time to look at what kind of Christians fill this office. What are the qualifications of those called to be deacons?...
February 1, 2019 by Jeff Jones
We see in Acts 6 that even in the earliest church the temptation to be distracted from this ministry is strong. The apostles put it in blunt terms: “it is not right that we should give up the preaching of the Word of God to serve tables.”...
November 15, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Unity, Gospel, fellowship, reformation, cooperation
Unity, whether in a local church or across a whole nation, is fragile. It cannot be taken for granted and it must constantly be guarded and cultivated. In the plenary sessions, we were repeatedly exhorted and convicted of the need not to despair, not to look away from Christ, and to be guarding our holiness and our doctrine, the foundations of our unity and fellowship....
Keep ReadingNovember 8, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Church, blessing, serve, reflections, TGC
This staggering fact shows the desperate hunger of Gospel-minded Canadian evangelicals for fellowship with like-minded Canadians, and the way God is using TGC Canada to begin addressing that need....
Keep ReadingOctober 25, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Unity, Gifts, Ministry, Diversity, training, specialized
Church unity is a key concern in the New Testament and in all church ministry today, and so it is vital to highlight the oneness of Christians in Christ, sharing in the same faith and baptism and Lord. This oneness underlines a related Christian teaching, that every believer is equal in God’s sight: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, ther...
Keep ReadingOctober 18, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Church, Authority, women, members, men, roles
Every-member ministry is not a pretext for “lone ranger ministry.” The Bible does, indeed, speak very highly of the sufficiency of Scripture and of the power of the Holy Spirit in each believer. That sufficiency and power does not remove the need for church accountability. ...
Keep ReadingOctober 11, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: members, benefits, grow, Commitment, churches, stronger
Like an athlete’s muscles will only grow if they are stretched, tearing at a microscopic level only to heal with greater capacity, believers are “grown” through the challenges of ministry. You will grow in humility as you learn that you cannot do it by yourself or in your own strength. You will grow in prayerful dependence on God as you are driven to the Throne of Gr...
Keep ReadingOctober 4, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Evangelism, Ministry, Hospitality, member, visitation
Christian ministry begins with, but never leaves, the Gospel. The Gospel is Christian ministry. Study it. Preach it to yourself. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Rehearse the Gospel in the car when you’re driving, alone or with someone else. Collect tracts and always have one handy, and be ready to explain the Gospel....
Keep ReadingOctober 3, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Culture, Worldview, religious freedom, Christianity, Alberta Education, Christian Education, TGC Canada, Jeff Jones
A post linking to an article at the TGC Canada website responding to recent disturbing developments in Alberta education....
Keep ReadingSeptember 27, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Ministry, servant, practical, deliberate, participate, diligent
Remember: ministry is your job. So go do it! Go knowing you are equipped, empowered, and emplaced for ministry and with the hope that, one day, our Master will tell you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”...
Keep ReadingSeptember 20, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Church, Word, Ministry, Spirit, Equipped, empowered, emplaced
Like a football player who refuses to show up on the field is useless even though he has all his equipment and training, the Word is useless in you, and your spiritual gifts are wasted in you, unless you are part of a local church where you can exercise your Spirit-given gifts according to the Word of God to “strive to excel in building up the church.” God’s will is ...
Keep ReadingSeptember 13, 2018 by Jeff Jones | Tags: Pastor, Ministry, maturity, Service, deacon, teacher, imitate
