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.