Life Matters

An Open Letter To Our Deacons

The deacon body of our church sends a monthly report to me outlining the number and types of ministry contacts they have made. It is always a blessing to me when I see how many phone calls, cards, and visits they make to our church family. They are wonderful partners with me in ministry. I decided to write them a note expressing my gratitude. I also took the opportunity to remind them of the importance of their ministry and how they fit into the over-all strategy for providing care to the flock. While I was at it, I decided to reiterate our mission statement. I thought I would share the note with you as well.

Deacons,

Thank you all for your partnership in ministry. I know this report represents a lot of time and love. I also know there is so much more that you do that is not reflected here. However, I hope you know that it is beneficial for me to see what you are doing so I can make sure our spans of care are adequate and that our people are not falling through the proverbial cracks of our organization. It is also encouraging to see how you are making a difference in people’s lives. A member recently told me how blessed they were when they received a card in the mail from a deacon they did not know. They were touched by the show of love. Additionally, your efforts are helping me to free up some time in my schedule to spend in prayer and the Word (Acts 6; 2 Timothy 4:1-2), and in administrative matters that are vital to the health of our church.

Let me give you a brief overview of the major components of our congregational care organization and strategy.

What Does The Bible Say About The Church?

The church (from the Greek word ekklesia) is the assembly of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ both locally and universally. The church was founded by Jesus Christ and is being built by Him on the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-19; Ephesians 2:20). Believers identify with the Lord and the church through their profession of faith by baptism (immersion in water). Jesus Christ loves the church and purchased it with His own blood (Ephesians 5:23-27). He is to have preeminence in all things in the church (Colossians 1:11-18) The church is the expression of the Body of Christ on earth Ephesians 5:22-23, 30; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Each local church is autonomous and is ruled by the risen Lord Jesus Christ through His people’s submission to His written revelation, the Bible (Romans 12:1-3; Ephesians 5:24).

The Church has two ordained offices; pastors and deacons. Christ calls out pastors (also called elders, bishops, overseers) to provide leadership, wisdom, and care for the church (1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7, 17). The office of deacon is one of ministry and service to Jesus Christ through His church under the leadership of the pastor (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). The New Testament does not support the notion of deacons as being over the pastor. Their primary role is to meet the spiritual, physical, and temporal needs of the congregation so as to release the pastors to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-7). As such, the pastors and deacons serve as co-laborers in the church. 

The church has two ordinances, baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48) and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-38; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34) which symbolize Christ's death, burial, resurrection, and the new life He gives to all believers.

The Church is to meet regularly for worship, edification, ministry, and fellowship (Ephesians 5:18-20; Hebrews 10:19-25). It has been commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to take the Gospel to all people and nations (Matthew 16:19-20; 28:18-20).

Believers are called to assemble on a regular basis for worship, prayer, edification, teaching, fellowship, and ministry (Hebrews 10:25). Christ endows the members of the church with at least one spiritual gift for the purpose of building up the spiritual life of the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:4-16). The church is called to warn erring believers and to exercise church discipline if required (Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; James 5:19-20). The church ought to be generous in providing relief to poor fellow members and congregations (2 Corinthians 8-9; Philippians 1:15-18).  

Deacons: My Partners In Ministry

I am so thankful to have a fine group of men who serve our Lord as deacons. These men are my friends, my accountability partners, and my co-laborers. I cannot tell you how often they pray for me and for our church. I cannot tell you how often they minister by my side to hurting members. I cannot tell you how often they minister in my place when I am not available. I love these guys!

Our deacons understand that their role is not that of a board of directors. They are servants of the Lord who minister to the needs of God's Church.

Deacon Ministry Team Statement of Purpose

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Deacons at Fort Caroline Baptist Church are servants working together to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the church as empowered through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Our Deacons organize themselves into ministry teams to fulfill their purpose. These teams include:

Crisis Ministry Team

This team ministers to those church members involved in an accident, illness, death, divorce, loss of a job, or other trauma. They regularly make hospital visits in conjunction with the Pastoral staff.

Member Recovery Ministry Team

This team will strive to be reconcilers, peace-makers, and to inactive or upset members. Whether they feel disenchanted, offended, or unwanted, efforts need to be made to reclaim these members. 

Shut-in Ministry Team

Our shut-ins need to know that the church hasn’t forgotten them, and they need to be informed of church activities. Shut-ins include those who are in nursing homes and those who are homebound.

Church Ordinance Ministry Team

This team will see that an adequate number of people are enlisted, trained, and scheduled for the preparation of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. This team will assist the Pastor in administering the ordinances as appropriate.

Fort Caroline Baptist Church does not assign a deacon to every church member. Instead we organize around the above mentioned ministry teams. However, If you or your family ever need the ministry of a deacon, please feel free to contact the church at (904) 642-2288. We will be happy to help you in any way that we can.