by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Deacons, Ecclesiology
While the articles I have provided do not consider every question that could be raised concerning deacon ministry, I hope that what has been presented provides accurate and adequate help in determining the biblical framework from which a local church’s deacon ministry must flow. It is not enough to simply affirm that the Bible speaks about deacons and then produce one’s own program for deacon selection and ministry. Every church’s deacon ministry should reflect the priorities and principles set forth in what Scripture does state concerning such a ministry. Ministries that do not develop and promote and give adequate attention to the role of deacon leadership do an injustice not merely to the position, but to the Word of God that describes the necessity of the position. As a point of review, I will suggest a number of conclusions that reflect the overall biblical parameters for deacon selection and ministry. 1. A local church should determine the specific needs within its ministry that require the work of deacons, so as to assist the pastors and ensure that they are able to give adequate time and attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. 2. A local church should then determine the areas of ministry that the diaconate will have charge over. This should be clearly stated so that the congregation, the pastors, and the deacons all understand what the responsibilities will be. Again, Scripture is very general when referencing the specific functions of deacons, allowing each unique ministry to develop servant leaders in accordance to the specific needs among them. 3. A local church could then determine how...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Deacons, Ecclesiology
Perhaps the most debated and difficult area to interpret in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 is verse eleven and the discussion concerning whether women in general are discussed or wives. It must be noted from the beginning that there is no easy answer and church history from even its early stages has seen both views held.[1] The problem lies within the fact that the term translated “women” (NASB) can also be translated “wives” (KJV, NIV). Greek does not use a distinct word for wives as opposed to women; the context must help one to determine which the author of the passage intended. Knight proposes four prominent viewpoints as to how this has been viewed throughout church history. These four views include: · Women who are part of the deacon body – i.e., women deacons. · A distinct group of leaders from that of Overseers and Deacons known as “Deaconnesses” · Female assistants to the deacons. · Wives of deacons.[2] Arguments for the first view are significant. The use of the word, “likewise” is used in the chapter to denote discussions of new groups of individuals (3:8). Also, the normal manner for Paul to indicate that he is speaking about a wife in contrast to a woman in general is to provide a possessive pronoun so that the phrase would read, “their own wife/wives,” or “your wife,” which he does not do here (cf., Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 5:25). However, the term likewise, while admittedly marking a change in the discussion, does not demand that one see that the verse refer to another leader, but merely that Paul is making a distinction between...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 21, 2006 | Culture, Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry
Preacher defends belief women can’t teach men – Yahoo! News http://www.nnyinfo.com/firstbaptist An American Baptist Church in New York relieved an 81 year old woman from her Sunday School teaching position – and it has garnered a national response. Scripture versus culture once again. If there is any wonder where most north eastern American Baptist churches stand, an executive of the ABC said not many would affirm the pastor’s position but rather are more aggressive in putting women into greater leadership roles. I highly recommend reading the pastor’s statement – as always there is a bit more to the story than the Reuters reporter reports. The woman seems to have been a member of a troublemaking group that has already been a thorn in the side of the church. She wasn’t purged purely for 2 Timothy 2:11-15 reasons. Or perhaps she was. Perhaps 2 Tim 2 has more wisdom than Reuters and the rest of the world want to admit. What is even more interesting to read is the statement from the diaconate. According to the statement, 55% of the deacon board is comprised of women. 87% of the Sunday School teachers in the church are women. This is no “fun-DAM-mental-ist” church. “Sacked” is the term Reuters used to describe the woman’s dismissal, as if she was a paid Sunday School teacher. Maybe she was, but that seems unlikely. “Booyah!” is the term I use for a church willing to take an unpleasant stand to uphold what the Bible...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 21, 2006 | Ecclesiology, General Theology
Now the Mainline Churches Make Sense | TheResurgence
by Bret Capranica | Aug 15, 2006 | Ecclesiology
God Change » ABOUT LEAVING A CHURCH Read Wayne Mack’s long letter to a friend who is considering leaving their church for another. Why don’t more church members think this way about church...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 15, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues
Together for the Gospel Are you involved in a Southern Baptist Church? You must read Mark Dever’s comments on the mistake we Southern Baptists made in our annual meeting this year – see the above link. As Dever points out quite clearly, keeping so-called members on the roll as a means of “prospects” is a result of a faulty view of the church and no doubt conversion as well. This article is a reason why we need men like Dever in positions of leadership within our...
