“One of the key new initiatives in deacon ministry involves using ministry teams to organize ministry within the local church. You will find the material in this manual particularly helpful in using spiritual gifts as the organizing principle to form your teams. Larry Garner’s insights into the entire area of spiritual gifts will be an invaluable resource for you. John Temple’s use of this approach in his own church gives the material a practical focus.

“I encourage you to read the material in researching what you feel God would have you do in your own church. I would further suggest that this is a great model for you if you have decided that the team approach using spiritual gifts is the way you need to proceed.”

                                               

—Robert Sheffield, National Consultant in Deacon Ministry, Pastor-Staff Leadership Department        Baptist Sunday School Board

Developing Deacon Ministry Teams is a breath of fresh air in the traditional approaches to teaching about deacon ministry and function. It is the one resource that leads the deacon to explore his own unique giftedness and does not try to fit everyone into the same mold.

 

Using the spiritual gifts as the principle around which the function of the deacons are developed is a sound Biblical truth and one often overlooked in other approaches. Furthermore, such an approach enables those deacons to involve others of the congregation whose spiritual gifts are similar to theirs. The possibilities of ministry and the involvement of church members, in addition to the enhancement of the deacon servant role are almost certain benefits.

 

I would recommend every church, regardless of its size, use this material if they wish to see deacon ministry revitalized.

 

—Dr. Farris Smith, Association Missions Director, Simpson County Baptist Association

Developing Deacon Ministry Teams provides practical guidance for helping deacons and congregations reap the benefits of a team-based approach to ministry. Deacon ministry teams broaden the base of pastoral leadership to insure that those most gifted and called to a focused ministry meet the congregation and community needs. Such a plan helps insure that deacon ministry bears much fruit and fulfillment to all involved.

 

—Eddie Hammett, Senior Leadership Consultant, Baptist State Convention of NC, Author of Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead of Barriers