How Do You Imagine Your Role as a Deacon?

How do you imagine the role of deacon at your church? Is there energy and vision around your mental picture? Is this really a role where God will use you to live out your calling? Check out this deacon's reflections on his role. Compare his mental pictures with your own. How about spending five minutes in a deacons' meeting brainstorming about what images come to mind when you say "CRC Deacon"... and then spend a few minutes praying about the brainstorming. Are the pictures shaped by your own experiences? by memories from when you were a kid? by your own fears? by your own Spirit-led visions? Read on....

By Dave Timmer
The potential is palpable.

What do you (as a deacon) or what do the deacons at your church do? What are their main roles in your church? Are they leaders, visionaries, constructors of shalom? Or has their position been institutionalized to only deal with budgets? Are they managers rather than leaders? Is their leadership reactionary - dealing with issues, needs after the fact rather than proactive and visionary? Are they actually helping to unfurl God's kingdom in their community?

It'd be great to hear your stories. This may be a forum for getting ideas and helping each other reformulate what this position should look like in our churches.

Posted by Dave Timmer on September 3, 2009 at 10:38am in Deacons' Room. Used by permission of Dave Timmer.