Empowering Church Growth Through Servant Leadership
Summary
In today's discussion, we explored the vital roles of pastors and deacons within the church, emphasizing the importance of aligning these roles with God's intentions. The ordination of deacons Randy Jackson and Brian Bain serves as a reminder of the impact that servant leadership can have on the church community. We delved into the biblical model from Acts 6, where the early church faced challenges but thrived by appointing deacons to serve, allowing pastors to focus on preaching and leading. This structure, ordained by God, led to the spread of His word, an increase in disciples, and even the conversion of those previously opposed to the faith.
The church's governance can take various forms, such as congregational, council, or trustee-led systems. However, the non-negotiable roles of pastors and deacons must be in place and function properly. When these roles are fulfilled, the church experiences growth, both spiritually and numerically. The deacons' service frees pastors to focus on the ministry of the word, which in turn penetrates hearts and fosters discipleship. This alignment with God's structure allows the church to reach beyond its walls, bringing people from different backgrounds into obedience to the faith.
The early church's success in Acts 6 serves as a model for us today. By following this pattern, we can ensure that the word of God spreads, disciples increase, and those outside the faith are reached. This growth is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. As we continue to serve and lead in our respective roles, may we remain faithful to God's design for the church, allowing His glory to shine through our obedience.
Key Takeaways:
1. Servant Leadership in the Church: The roles of pastors and deacons are distinct yet complementary, both essential for a healthy church. When deacons serve effectively, pastors can focus on preaching and leading, allowing the word of God to spread and impact lives. This alignment with God's design fosters spiritual growth and unity within the church. [06:11]
2. Biblical Governance Models: While various governance models exist, the roles of pastors and deacons are non-negotiable. A church's structure should facilitate the effective functioning of these roles, ensuring that the congregation is led by spiritual leaders who are aligned with God's intentions. [08:10]
3. Impact of Deacons on Church Growth: When deacons fulfill their roles, they enable pastors to focus on the ministry of the word, leading to the spread of God's message and an increase in disciples. This growth is both spiritual and numerical, as the church reaches out to those outside the faith. [09:29]
4. Reaching Beyond the Church Walls: The early church's success in reaching those outside the faith serves as a model for us today. By aligning with God's structure, we can bring people from different backgrounds into obedience to the faith, expanding the church's impact in the world. [11:44]
5. Faithful Obedience to God's Design: Growth in the church is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. By following the biblical pattern of leadership, we can ensure that the church remains healthy and vibrant, glorifying God through our faithful service. [15:30]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:38] - Introduction and Context
[06:11] - Roles of Pastors and Deacons
[08:10] - Governance Models in the Church
[09:29] - Impact of Deacons on Church Growth
[11:44] - Reaching Beyond the Church Walls
[15:30] - Faithful Obedience to God's Design
[17:00] - Encouragement and Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:1-7
Observation Questions:
1. What problem did the early church face in Acts 6, and how did they address it? [08:10]
2. How did the appointment of deacons in Acts 6 impact the spread of God's word and the growth of the church? [09:29]
3. What roles do pastors and deacons play in the church according to the sermon, and how are these roles distinct yet complementary? [06:11]
4. What was the result of the early church's alignment with God's structure as described in Acts 6:7? [11:44]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the structure of church leadership in Acts 6 reflect God's intentions for church governance? [08:10]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the roles of pastors and deacons contribute to both spiritual and numerical growth in the church? [09:29]
3. How might the conversion of priests in Acts 6:7 serve as an example for reaching those outside the faith today? [11:44]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of faithful obedience to God's design for church leadership? [15:30]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the roles of pastors and deacons in your church. How can you support them in fulfilling their responsibilities effectively? [06:11]
2. Consider the governance model of your church. How does it facilitate or hinder the effective functioning of pastors and deacons? [08:10]
3. How can you contribute to the spread of God's word and the growth of disciples in your church community? [09:29]
4. Think of someone outside the faith whom you can reach out to. What steps can you take to engage them in a conversation about faith? [11:44]
5. In what ways can you align your service in the church with God's design to ensure spiritual maturity and growth? [15:30]
6. How can you encourage unity and cooperation within your church to prevent division and promote growth? [15:30]
7. Identify a specific area in your church where you can serve as a leader or support existing leaders. What actions will you take to get involved? [09:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Servant Leadership as a Catalyst for Growth
The roles of pastors and deacons are distinct yet complementary, both essential for a healthy church. When deacons serve effectively, pastors can focus on preaching and leading, allowing the word of God to spread and impact lives. This alignment with God's design fosters spiritual growth and unity within the church. The ordination of deacons Randy Jackson and Brian Bain serves as a reminder of the impact that servant leadership can have on the church community. By following the biblical model from Acts 6, where the early church faced challenges but thrived by appointing deacons to serve, the church can ensure that the word of God spreads, disciples increase, and those outside the faith are reached. [06:11]
Acts 6:3-4 (ESV): "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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Reflection: Who in your life exemplifies servant leadership, and how can you emulate their example in your own service to the church community?
Day 2: The Non-Negotiable Roles in Church Governance
While various governance models exist, the roles of pastors and deacons are non-negotiable. A church's structure should facilitate the effective functioning of these roles, ensuring that the congregation is led by spiritual leaders who are aligned with God's intentions. The early church's success in Acts 6 serves as a model for us today. By following this pattern, we can ensure that the word of God spreads, disciples increase, and those outside the faith are reached. This growth is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. [08:10]
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (ESV): "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless."
Reflection: Consider the governance model of your church. How can you support the roles of pastors and deacons to ensure they function effectively according to God's design?
Day 3: Empowering Pastors through Deacon Service
When deacons fulfill their roles, they enable pastors to focus on the ministry of the word, leading to the spread of God's message and an increase in disciples. This growth is both spiritual and numerical, as the church reaches out to those outside the faith. The deacons' service frees pastors to focus on the ministry of the word, which in turn penetrates hearts and fosters discipleship. This alignment with God's structure allows the church to reach beyond its walls, bringing people from different backgrounds into obedience to the faith. [09:29]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: How can you support the deacons in your church to ensure they are empowered to serve effectively, thereby freeing pastors to focus on their calling?
Day 4: Reaching Beyond the Church Walls
The early church's success in reaching those outside the faith serves as a model for us today. By aligning with God's structure, we can bring people from different backgrounds into obedience to the faith, expanding the church's impact in the world. This growth is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. As we continue to serve and lead in our respective roles, may we remain faithful to God's design for the church, allowing His glory to shine through our obedience. [11:44]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Identify one person outside your church community whom you can reach out to this week. How can you share God's love and message with them in a meaningful way?
Day 5: Faithful Obedience to God's Design
Growth in the church is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. By following the biblical pattern of leadership, we can ensure that the church remains healthy and vibrant, glorifying God through our faithful service. The early church's success in Acts 6 serves as a model for us today. By following this pattern, we can ensure that the word of God spreads, disciples increase, and those outside the faith are reached. This growth is not just about numbers but also about spiritual maturity and obedience to God's word. [15:30]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Reflect on your own role within the church. How can you align more closely with God's design for the church, contributing to its spiritual growth and maturity?
Quotes
"When the deacons free up the pastor to preach, when the deacons deke, the preachers can preach. They can lead. They can do the ministry of the word. That only helps the church. That allows the word of God to go out." [00:09:17] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The disciples increase in great number. So when the word of God spread, listen, the word of God's what does the work. Yeah, a pastor's laboring. The deacons are laboring by serving. But what ends up happening, hey, Brooke, good to see you. So what ends up happening is then we grow." [00:10:17] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It says that a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. So a large number of priests, who are they? This is coming from, these would have been the Jewish leaders. So people of a different, a faith background, even though it was of god is judaism the pharisees and those leaders those priests had rejected the messiah many but what's happening because the word's spreading disciples are growing all because we have deacons and pastors doing their job right the congregation's pleased they're now getting along we see now people that have been against the church that are against jesus now getting jesus and it says this they become obedient to the faith." [00:12:33] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But these people were starting to become obedient to faith because they saw what the church was doing. This is really important. I think the healthier the church body is, you have a pastor that preaches, and you have deacons that deacon, the deac, right?" [00:13:32] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"May the word of God spread. May our disciples within our body increase. And may we reach people outside of our church, our faith, and bring them into obedience to the faith so that God may be glorified because we obey his word." [00:17:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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