Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes PROJECT this slide while participants are entering the workshop. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 1
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes INTRODUCE the agenda. We will recognize first that there are ordinarily two leadership bodies in every Presbyterian church: the Session and the Diaconate. Under the heading “The Why of Cooperation” we’ll be considering the biblical basis for elder deacon cooperation, and why it’s so important Under the heading “The How of Cooperation,” we’ll be looking at what this cooperation looks like in the ongoing ministry of elders and deacons The Cases Studies will give us opportunity to evaluate real-life diaconal situations and determining the level of session-deacon cooperation needed. Before we’re finished, we’ll seek to sum up our findings so that you can put them to work in your own churches. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 2
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes DESCRIBE the overall intent of the workshop. Here’s how we hope this workshop will CLICK to reveal the specific learning be of help to you as deacons in your local objectives. church. BRIEFLY introduce each objective. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 3
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes In historic Presbyterianism, there are two bodies of leadership: •The Session (the pastor and elders) •And the Diaconate The name Presbyterian refers to the fact that elders (presbuteros) are the ultimate authorities over the church; however, the elders share their leadership and ministry with the diaconate. Failing to think about and act intentionally on this results in a couple of common scenarios. Some sessions and diaconates “do their own thing.” Other sessions and diaconates constantly “get in each other’s lanes.” Diaconal Summit II Workshop 4
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes Our first question is “Why must elders Briefly REVIEW the slide. and deacons cooperate?,” so let’s talk first about why a close working TRANSITION to the next section – the Basis relationship between elders and deacons for Cooperation. is so important To do that, we’ll need to consider three things: •why deacons exist •what deacons do •who deacons help Diaconal Summit II Workshop 5
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes , continued This is good! The Church is taking care of the needy, as REVIEW the slide. God had always required, but there were apparently some cracks in the system: certain widows were left REQUEST that people turn to Acts 6: 1-6. out. MENTION that this is likely a familiar passage for It‘s possible this was due to certain prejudices – certain them. widows thought this. It’s also possible it was simply due to honest men becoming overwhelmed. CLICK to reveal the verse. Then READ (or ask a volunteer to read it). Solution? The apostles acknowledged “We’ve been trying to do too much, and we need to stop. Our main calling is to preach, pray and pastor men’s souls, and EXPLAIN/DISCUSS the “growing pains” the church we need to get back to that. So let’s make was experiencing and how they solved the arrangements for other men to take on this ministry of problem. “serving tables” (vs. 2). Note: word is “serve” from which we get “deacon.” Don’t think of “waiters” – but probably those at ASK/DISCUSS: What does this imply about the “money tables.” (i.e., to distribute money and/or food need for cooperation between elders and to those in need.) deacons? Thus, we are right to think of these 7 men as the first deacons of the NT church. And they came into existence in order to assist the elders in their work. Content Notes The elders recognized that the Church’s care of widows In early part of Acts, the young Church is was ultimately their responsibility, but they needed experiencing “growing pains”: you recall that many help in carrying out this work. in the church were donating large amounts of Point: Consider the implications of this for cooperation money to church leaders. This apparently gave rise between elders and deacons: to a situation in which the apostles were regularly distributing to widows. if the whole purpose of the diaconate is to provide assistance to the elders, then there needs to be a close working relationship to maximize that assistance. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 6
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes , continued This is good! The Church is taking care of the needy, as REVIEW the slide. God had always required, but there were apparently some cracks in the system: certain widows were left REQUEST that people turn to Acts 6: 1-6. out. MENTION that this is likely a familiar passage for It‘s possible this was due to certain prejudices – certain them. widows thought this. It’s also possible it was simply due to honest men becoming overwhelmed. CLICK to reveal the verse. Then READ (or ask a volunteer to read it). Solution? The apostles acknowledged “We’ve been trying to do too much, and we need to stop. Our main calling is to preach, pray and pastor men’s souls, and EXPLAIN/DISCUSS the “growing pains” the church we need to get back to that. So let’s make was experiencing and how they solved the arrangements for other men to take on this ministry of problem. “serving tables” (vs. 2). Note: word is “serve” from which we get “deacon.” Don’t think of “waiters” – but probably those at ASK/DISCUSS: What does this imply about the “money tables.” (i.e., to distribute money and/or food need for cooperation between elders and to those in need.) deacons? Thus, we are right to think of these 7 men as the first deacons of the NT church. And they came into existence in order to assist the elders in their work. Content Notes The elders recognized that the Church’s care of widows In early part of Acts, the young Church is was ultimately their responsibility, but they needed experiencing “growing pains”: you recall that many help in carrying out this work. in the church were donating large amounts of Point: Consider the implications of this for cooperation money to church leaders. This apparently gave rise between elders and deacons: to a situation in which the apostles were regularly distributing to widows. if the whole purpose of the diaconate is to provide assistance to the elders, then there needs to be a close working relationship to maximize that assistance. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 7
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes Note: In the rest of the NT there is comparatively little specific information about diaconal EXPLAIN that diaconal responsibilities are responsibility (especially compared to that of the not specifically detailed in the NT. eldership). SUMMARIZE the diaconal office as viewed Why? Diaconal responsibilities are very broad: they must do what is necessary to enable the in Presbyterianism. elders to focus on the Word and prayer. CLICK to reveal the first section of the It’s for this reason that Presbyterianism views the graphic. You may wish to describe the diaconal office as including a very broad range of financial responsibilities. practical, administrative functions that the elders would otherwise be involved with CLICK to reveal the “facilities” • of financial matters: budgeting, reports, responsibilities. disbursing funds, etc CLICK to reveal the rest of the diagram. •of buildings and facilities: maintenance and improvements DISCUSS how these responsibilities align with participants’ roles. •of Church operations and activities: Sunday preparations, etc. •of civil and legal matters affecting the church (Transition) Acts 6: 1-6 not only reveals •of the security of the property: “why deacons exist” (because elders need Geneva: one of the deacons responsible to help), this passage also reveals what “remove from the place those who loiter.” deacons (primarily) do: they lead in mercy Therefore, there must be a close working ministry. relationship in order for elders to delegate things to deacons. The most effective delegation comes in a close working relationship. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 8
Sessional and Diaconal Cooperation Diaconal Summit II Process Notes Content Notes INTRODUCE the focus of the deacon Mercy ministry = caring for the material (caring for material needs – “mercy needs of the members of the church, ministry”) and beyond. CLICK to reveal the scripture verse. READ The diaconate is particularly concerned (or ask for a volunteer to read it). for the physical needs of people. DISCUSS the two “arms” of Christian The offices of Elder and deacon ministry (“word” and “deed”). represents the two basic kinds of ministry: word and deed. Scripture often speaks of our ministry as Christians this way, and even divides our gifts. (See 1 Peter 4:10-11) The two “arms” of Christian ministry are word and deed; thus, the two offices of elder and deacon. The office of elder embodies the church’s responsibility to preach and teach the gospel The office of deacon embodies the church's responsibility for compassion and generosity. Diaconal Summit II Workshop 9
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