Deacons in a Baptist church are a waste if . . .

The woman:

” …. and observes that there was only one person on the ballot today who is under the age of 60, and again too few women.”

AND she thinks she meets this qualification:

“Let deacons be the husbands of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:12)

By the way … this statement - “under the age of 60” - is a complete ageism

Reagan re Mondale: “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” -during a 1984 presidential debate with Walter Mondale

Those folk over 60* may have seen some things the younger ones haven’t:

• Accidents
• Disability
• Layoffs
• Financial setbacks
• And a lot of history
• And through this they’ve seen the Lord’s faithfulness in trials

* 63 and defending the sexagenarians

The Author is described in his bio: George is the Strategic Coordinator [executive director] with The Columbia Partnership at www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org, This is a Christian ministry organization that seeks to transform the North American Church for vital and vibrant ministry.

What struck me is how sad it is that this organization is seeking to transform the church for usefulness, but they can’t even figure out what the Bible says on basic issues like male officers. It says a lot about the sad state of the American church, and why it’s so moribund.

Our Fellowship Coordinator suggested that I read his book Pursing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Church. It did help me identify some trends within the church. I’ve read better books on church growth, though.

I thought the bit about female deacons was odd, coming from the ABP blog like that**. There is a debate about deaconesses in the text though, with the female form of the word for deacon being used of some women in the church. I don’t think they should be called deacons, but women should have opportunity to serve in a variety of ways in a church.

As a deacon in a baptistic church, I agree with many of the points in the article, however. I serve in a church plant where we have hardly any paid staff. I think having a paid staff can cut at the core of the role of deacons - it takes away so much that they can do….

As to age, I am the youngest one on the deacon board - but we’ll soon have someone a few years younger serving as well. I think that a church can discriminate against older people, but they can also overlook younger people. Timothy was charged not to let anyone despise his youth, remember. I think the deacons should represent the congregation and variety/diversity can be a good thing to ensure all sectors of the church are receing the care and ministry they need (think Acts 6).

**Edit: I take back the part about the ABP blog, I was thinking it was associated with Baptist Press or BBF or something….