serve well

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13

Those who serve the church well are promised two unique blessings. I have had the unique joy of serving as a pastor in local church leadership for over thirty seven years now. My adult life and vocation has been, is, and I pray I may faithfully finish as a shepherd to the church of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In that lifetime of ministry I have seen so many serve the Lord well. No one is perfect. But deacons who give themselves to the Lord and to others create beauty in ministry!

They have the blessing of thankful recognition as they are the hands and feet of Jesus. I have witnessed this as deacons have fed the hungry, comforted the sick, ministered to the dying, wept with the grieving, assisted the impoverished, and encouraged the saints to join them in service. I’m beyond grateful for the ways deacons carry the daily load of helping the church gather safely and with joy, adorning the gospel with good works as we deal with a world in broken need.

They also gain the blessing of personal growth by their service. I have seen men and women grow as disciples through service. I have seen elders raised up from faithful deacon service. I’ve seen women recognized for their nurture and wisdom as they have faithfully cared for others with sacrifice and love. Jesus gains worship when men and women “serve well”.