Elders and Deacons

3 words used to describe the office of elder

presbuteros-elder
episkopas-bishop
poimen-shepherd/pastor

4 key responsibilites of an elder/overseer/pastor

1. ministry of the Word

2. pastoral ministry

3. leadership/exercising oversight

4. serve as an example

Aspects of an elder’s “ministry of the Word”

teaching, preaching, exhorting

Aspects of an elder’s pastoral ministry

feeding, protecting, examining

Aspects of an elder’s leadership/exercising oversight

stewarding, managing, authority

Describe what it means for an elder to be “above reproach”

abstaining from all appearance of evil

Aspects of an elder’s qualification as it pertains to his family

-husband of one wife
-manage his household well
-keep his children submissive

Interpretations of an elder having to be “a husband of one wife”

-not single
-not divorced
-not married twice (widowed, then remarried)
-not polygamous

Literal translation of “husband of one wife”

one-woman man

Virtues included in the list of elder qualifications

-temperate (self-control)
-prudent
-respectable
-hospitable
-gentle
-peaceable

Skills included in the list of elder qualifications

-able to teach
-holding sound doctrine

Vices elders (and all Christians) must avoid

-addiction
-argumentative
-greed
-rebellion
-anger

Maturity qualification

-not a new convert

Greek word translated deacon

diakonos

Diakonos is most commonly translated as _______

servant

First deacons’ purpose

serve overlooked widows and quiet dispute happening in the church

Roles of deacons

-serve the physical needs of the church
-serve the pastors and elders by taking responsibility for tasks that would prevent them from devotion to prayer and the Word
-serve the congregation by addressing complaints in the church

Qualifications of deacons

good reputation, full of the Spirit, wisdom

Virtues of deacons

-wisdom
-dignified
-clear conscience
-temperate
-faithful

Vices to avoid as a deacon

-being double-tongued
-addiction
-greed
-gossip

Old testament precedents for ordination

-commissioning of Joshua as Moses’ successor
-consecration of Aaron and his sons

New Testament examples of ordination

deacons, Paul and Barnabus, Timothy, warning against laying on of hands hastily

Significance of laying on of hands

literal and symbolic of passing on authority

Purpose of ordination

-recognition of who will lead the church
-affirmation of gifts, character, and calling
-protects from ill-prepared or unqualified leaders

Process of ordination

-recognition by the church as a whole
-delierate questioning for doctrinal integrity
-observation of character
-laying on of hands