A Deacon's Heart: Justice

This week, we continue reading from Romans (see Romans 8:26-39) to see how Paul helps us consider the notion of Justice. God's justice does not look like what we commonly think of as justice. As Christians, it is important for us consider this difference and to seek to be more Christ-like in our envisioning of justice. As a United Methodist deacon, it is important for me to help the rest of the church consider what we can do to work for justice wherever we find ourselves.

*    *    *

Our reading from Romans this week comes immediately after the verses we read last week. Paul continues to look at what it means to live according to the Spirit of God. What does it mean to live as the children of God?

In the last few weeks, as I have reflected on my ministry as a deacon, we have looked at ministry of word and ministry of service. Word and Service are the two areas held in common among all ordained persons in The United Methodist Church. While the ways in which elders and deacons approach these ministry areas may differ, it is still the ministry that we hold in common. Now we will turn to what is distinctive about the ministry of a deacon.

A Deacon's Heart: Service

This week, Paul talks about the difference between living lives of selfishness of living lives empowered by the Spirit of God (see Romans 8:12-25 CEB). This is a perfect jumping off point to continue our reflection on what it means to be a deacon by looking at the second area of ordination, Service. How do we understand the difference between selfishness and service? And what does it mean to for me, as a deacon, "to embody and lead the community's service in the world"?

Along the way, we will scratch the surface of the origin of the deacon in the life of the ancient church and seek to stretch our understanding of service just a little.

*    *    *

Over the last year or so, I’ve been challenging myself to use a newer Bible translation. You see, throughout my life and ministry, I occasionally change which Bible version I use for reflection and worship. I find that sometimes a different translation can help us see a text with fresh eyes or understand it in a new way. While I still rely on the NRSV as the primary translation I was introduced to in seminary, I have used or referenced the NIV, the New Jerusalem Bible, the New Living Translation, and, for about a year now, the Common English Bible.

Especially when we read passages we are familiar with, hearing different words than we are used to can help us to really think about what the story is trying to tell us. Since most of us aren’t reading the Bible in ancient Greek or Hebrew, there is always the chance we are misunderstanding something in our translations.

A Deacon's Heart: Word

This month, I began a new appointment as a part-time pastor of a small, rural congregation. As a way of helping the congregation get to know me better, I decided to begin my time with them doing a sermon series on what it means for me to be an ordained United Methodist deacon.

In the opening sermon last week, I reflected on my personal scriptural foundation for ministry. The Great Commandment informs my approach to ministry. It speaks to mission, discipleship, even spiritual formation.

The remaining sermons in this series will touch on the areas of responsibility to which deacons are ordained in The United Methodist Church -- Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice. Today we take a look at Word, and the lectionary was kind enough to give me Psalm 119:105-112 to work with.

A Deacon's Heart: The Great Commandment

On July 1, I began a new appointment. For most of my appointive ministry, I had been appointed beyond the local church. That changed in 2019 when I took a local church position as Minister of Spiritual Formation. This year things shifted even more when I accepted a part-time position as a pastor of a small congregation.

From the beginning of my journey into ministry, I have identified with the office of deacon in The United Methodist Church. For this reason, I honestly never considered the possibility of becoming a pastor of a congregation. Being on a church staff? Yes. Being a solo or lead pastor? Never. 

And yet, as I was told about this congregation and as I have learned more about them, I see that this is exactly the right place for me. And part of the reason for that is precisely because I am a deacon.

That being said, even in churches that have had deacons, there is still a bit of confusion not only about the role of deacons in the life of the church, but also how deacons are distinct from elders. And so, I am choosing to start my time with this new congregation by reflecting on what it means for me to be a deacon and, further, what it means for me to be a deacon in ministry with them.

Over the next several weeks, I am reflecting first on my personal grounding for ministry as a deacon. What is my scriptural touchstone for ministry and what does that have to do with being a deacon. Then, each successive sermon will take on the areas of responsibility that deacons have in the life of the church. In the UMC, the orders of ministry have general areas of responsibility. These areas overlap and reinforce one another, but are also distinctive in the different orders of ministry. More on that next time.

Today, we take a look at the Great Commandment (see Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:25-37). What does it meant for me and for my understanding of myself as a deacon? What does this story have to do with the ministry of the church?

Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: Communion

Today we explore the concept of Communion. Communion is about more than our celebrations at the table, it is about the body of Christ gathered together. How can we remember our connection not only to Christ but to one another in times like this when it is less safe to physically gather in the same space? 

Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: Study

In today’s post, we will look at maintaining the discipline of Study. Even in times of isolation, it is important to continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God, faith, and one another. We will also consider the importance of studying with others and ways we can continue to do this even as we maintain physical separation.