To be a Deacon

Somebody has to do this work.

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:1-7

The first work of the church was to serve those in need, distributing food to the widows and the poor.  Doing that work kept the leaders of the church from the important task of spreading the Good News of the Gospel.

Now imagine for a moment that they had not created a separate order, but just continued to call more leaders or bishops?

What would the church look like today?

I am thinking it would look more like a soup kitchen or food pantry than a church. Everyone in the church would be addressing the needs of the poor, and in the process, they would find a way to share the news that Christ came to save us from ourselves.

The work of helping our neighbors needs to be done, and it makes sense that it is the job of all of us who are called to serve Christ.  After all, he invited the poor and the hungry to eat with him, and in the process, they were healed and fed, and they chose to follow.

So, maybe it is time to take a look at our ministry and ask why not do the work of being a good neighbor first?

Everyone one I know who comes to help feed the hungry feels empowered by the Holy Spirit to put their faith, regardless of the type of faith, into action. 

So, here is the question.  Would attendance rise if the church was a soup kitchen and the members were volunteers?

Controversial?  You bet.

More to come...