The Qualifications of a Deacon — Aaron Hurst

Shall we stand together for prayer? Our Father in Heaven, we come in Jesus' name. Lord, we are so grateful that the Master has called us. Even as Mary and Martha there when Lazarus had passed away and Martha came and said, Mary, the Master calleth for you.

And she rose up hastily. Father, today I ask in the name of Jesus that each one of us would hear that call, that our hearts could be stilled and quieted before the Lord to hear the call of the Master.

And when we hear the Master's call, we would rise hastily to follow. Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You would open Your Word to us, cause the Scriptures to burn in our hearts with life, with revelation of Jesus Christ, O God.

Father, we pray for each one here today, those listening on the phone line, perhaps even just listening to the message, Lord, would You speak life, would You speak truth to our hearts, revelation of the Lord Jesus, giving us wisdom and understanding of Your precepts, Your principles, Lord, Your holy oracles of God to be an inspiration to each of us, Lord.

Father, bless Your Word to us. Have mercy upon me, Your servant. Grant me grace. Lord, I am totally dependent upon You. I have nothing to bring except what You give, Lord. So, Father, we ask in Jesus' name.

Be glorified. Captivate our hearts. We love You, Lord. Amen. You may be seated. Welcome to each one. It's a joy to be together, share together in the Word of God. Be blessed together. Open your Bibles to Philippians 1.

God's Good Work in Believers

Philippians 1, verse 1. Welcome Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the bishops and deacons. Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making requests with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Even as it is neat for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart. Oh, what a beautiful passage of Scripture. When we remember each other in the body of Christ and we think of one another and God brings someone to our hearts and minds, I hope it is with joy when you think about your brother, about your sister and what God is doing in their lives.

The good work that God has begun in you, brother, He shall perform it until the day of Christ. You know, God is at work in all of our hearts if we allow Him to and He works in our lives to transform us and to conform us into the destiny that God has designed for us.

And that destiny is found in Romans 8, 29 that we should be conformed into the image of Jesus. Isn't that lovely? Isn't that beautiful? God's plan for us? Paul says, I am confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you, He will perform it until the day of Christ.

But he says, there's a reason I have this confidence and this hope. I have you in my heart. And I know that our love in this congregation where we carry each other in our hearts is a beautiful thing. We talked about the love of God this morning in our discipleship classes.

And how that love in us causes us to love because God first loved us. We love. Isn't that wonderful? Well, today I have a bit of a different type of a message. I have a deacon qualification message today.

Deacons as Servants in the Church

Here in Philippians it talks about Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the bishops and the deacons. I believe this is the first mention in Scripture of deacons as those who serve in the church in the capacity of a specific ministry in the body.

The bishops and the deacons. Now the word translated here, deacons, is found in the Scripture in many other places in the Bible. It is found in the New Testament translated from the Greek word diakonos which appears in the New Testament numerous times.

Turn with me to Mark 10 .43 for an example. Mark 10 .43. We'll break in a little bit earlier to get the context. The background is that James and John say, Master, we would that you should do what we desire of you.

And of course they asked that they might sit one on his right hand and one on his left in his kingdom. And he said, you don't know what you're asking. It's not his to give. He said it shall be given for those whom it is prepared.

And then the ten other disciples as they heard that they were displeased with James and John. And in verse 42, Jesus called them to him and said unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you. But whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. And that word minister is Diakonos, the same word which is translated deacon in Philippians 1 where it first appears as an office in the church, as a position of ministry in the church of Jesus Christ.

But this helps us to get a definition for the meaning of the word. He that will be great among you, he shall be your minister. And whosoever you will be chiefest shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

This word Diakonos is also translated servant. Let's go ahead and look at another scripture here in Matthew 23 and verses 9 to 10. Matthew 23 and verses 9 to 10. Let's get some background, some understanding on this word translated deacon.

Matthew 23 and 9 to 11. And call no man your father upon the earth, for one is your father which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for one is your master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And here again it's that word Diakonos which is translated servant here. And that is a clear picture of the meaning of the word Diakonos. A deacon is a servant. A deacon is a minister who ministers in the body of Christ.

A deacon is primarily called to manage the material assets of the church. And we get this very clearly defined for us in the book of Acts. Let's go to Acts chapter 4. You know, the Word of God is interpreted as we look at the Word of God and we take context and we take word definition and meaning from Scripture and we look at where it's found in other places in the Bible.

It helps us to grasp an understanding and a deeper understanding of the Word. The Scriptures will interpret that Word for us as we look at the broader sense of the use of the Word in the Scriptures. So what is a deacon's role in the church?

Acts 4 and 6: Meeting Material Needs

The bishops and the deacons. In Acts 4 verse 34 it tells us very clearly here neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things which were sold and laid them down at the apostles feet and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.

There was this giving of alms there was this selling of properties so that there was an equality with those who had need and those who had possessions sold them, brought the things that were the price of them and laid them at the apostles feet and distribution was made to every man.

Now a real clear definition is found in Acts chapter 6. So just turn back to Acts chapter 6. At this point in the early church they brought their gifts and laid them at the apostles feet. But here now in Acts 6 we see that beginning in verse 1 in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied and there arose a murmuring among the Grecians against the Hebrews because their riddles were neglected in the daily ministration.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word and the same please the whole multitude.

And so they chose out deacons in the early church there in Acts chapter 6. As the need was growing the disciples were multiplied and there was such a great need that the apostles were not able to reach around to do all the work of the ministry so rather than the gifts being brought to the apostles and laying that money at the apostles feet for the apostles to make distribution they said look ye out among you men that we can appoint over this business so that the apostles can give themselves to the work of the ministry of prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Biblical Order for Church Leadership

Now Paul wrote to Timothy and gave some order for the church. So now let's go to 1st Timothy. 1st Timothy chapter 3. In 1st Timothy chapter 3 we will break in for now into verse 14 and 15. 1st Timothy chapter 3 and verse 14 and 15.

These things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly but if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth.

So Paul is writing these things to the church. He's hoping to come shortly to be able to give them instruction and direction in person but he says if I tarry long I'm going to give you some things of godly principle of godly value for you as a congregation for you as a church that you may know how you ought to behave yourself or how you ought to order your lives as a congregation in the church.

And there's many things that he taught them but one of the things that he taught them was concerning the matter of the offices in the church and of a bishop or an overseer could be translated bishop there as well and a deacon.

And so he goes into this description of how the church is to be structured and that they should have bishops and deacons. Now I know that sometimes there is sort of an aversion to structure because we sort of feel like structure can get in the way of the spirit of God having free course and moving freely among his people.

But I want to encourage us today that the scriptures give us the wisdom of God how the church should be ordered and how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God. And there's many things written in here concerning our Christian conduct and character.

In fact in another place Paul said I want to send you I believe it was to Crete that you may set in order the things that are wanting or lacking and ordain elders because there was a lack and there was a lack I believe of clarity, of direction.

And so here this morning I want us to open our hearts and embrace the word of God the wisdom of God. We are looking forward to the Lord giving the gift of deacons here at Charity Christian Fellowship.

And we are looking forward to an ordination. And it's fitting that we look at the scriptures and we look at deacon qualifications. Maybe someone has a word of comment up to this point in the message. Something that comes to your heart and mind.

Something that you would have to add that would be a blessing. You can just call it out. When we think of deacons. Are we okay so far? Amen. Let's keep reading. Let's go now to 1 Timothy 3 and verse 1.

This is a true saying. If a man desires the office of a bishop he desires a good work. You might say well Aaron I thought we were talking about deacons. Why are you reading this? Well when we get to verse 8 we have a likewise.

A likewise is even so also or so also for deacons. So we want to get the context of the Word of God concerning deacons. Verse 2. A bishop must then be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant, sober of good behavior given to hospitality apt to teach not given to wine no striger not greedy of filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous one that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity for if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of God not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into condemnation of the devil moreover he must have a good report of them that are without lest he fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.

Likewise must the deacons be grave not double tongued not given too much wine not greedy of filthy lucre holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience and let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless.

Even so must their wives be grave not slanderers sober faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own house as well for they that have used the office of a deacon well purchased to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus these things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly.

But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth and without controversy. Great is the mystery of godliness.

God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory. Now as we look at these qualifications we can notice the emphasis is on character.

The emphasis is not necessarily on gifting. It's not primarily on gifting but the emphasis is on character on maturity. And the focus is majorly on the family. There are other focuses but the focus is majorly on the family.

Which ones appear in both qualifications for bishops and deacons. Which ones appear in both lists of qualifications. Which one just majorly appears in both. Anyone call it out. Which one appears in both the lists aren't exactly the same.

Husband of one wife. Amen. Which other ones appear in both. Money. How you handle your money. Yes. Any others that appear in both. As you look at these qualifications. Children having a godly family having the home in order.

Any others that appear in both blameless. Yes. Are there any others sober minded. Being sober on the bishop side that is spoken of the bishop. On the deacon side it is spoken of the wife. There's another one or two maybe not given to wine.

On the bishop side it says not given to wine. On the deacon side it says not given to too much wine. So as we consider the qualifications for a deacon again the focus is on character. It's on a godly life.

It's on a man of integrity and a woman of integrity. It's a trustworthiness. It's honesty. The deacons must be grave. That means to be of an honest heart worthy of respect not double tongued. He must be able to be trusted.

The words that he speaks you can count on them. He doesn't say one thing one day and another thing another day. He's a man of his word not given too much wine. How do we interpret that. Well it might help us to understand that if we go back to 1st Timothy 5 where Paul said to Timothy use no longer water but drink a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thy often firmities.

So wine wasn't a total taboo. But it was to be as a medicine and it was to be. He was a man of temperance. And when we look at that to not be given too much wine not given to wine we can also apply this that he's a man of temperance.

We could add food to that list. We could add all kind of things to that list love of sleep or other things that are natural and that we need but we are to be temperate. He's to be a man of temperance.

Temperance and the Call to Abstain from Alcohol

Now shall I let it sit right there. Or shall we make a further definition as far as the wine thing in Paul's day and Timothy's day wine was used as a medicine. In our day we have medicines that had been developed that they didn't have then.

So if you have stomach problems you can take Pepto-Bismol or you can take something else. I believe it is wise for us to not look upon the wine to not partake of the wine because it is a mocker and strong drink is raging and has destroyed many a man's life.

It has destroyed many a family. So I want to go on record today saying that I believe that you're a wise man if you will take the stand and the position to abstain from that intoxicating damning liquor.

But in Paul's day it was used as a medicine. But because this is in the scripture I couldn't say that if anybody uses any wine and is temperate that they are damning their soul. But I believe it's wisdom to refrain from alcohol.

Any other comments from you brothers or sisters. I'm open here. Anyone want to comment further on the qualifications of the deacon. So far. Yes Timothy it does full of the Holy Ghost. Be not drunk with wine wherein it is excess but be filled with the Spirit.

Hallelujah. No limitation there brothers drink all you want to be full of the Holy Spirit of God the wine of God the new wine of God. Oh yes. Alright let us continue. Not greedy of filthy liquor. Not a lover of money.

Financial Integrity and a Clear Conscience

Not a Judas who loved money. He was covetous. The Bible says. And he had the bag. Judas was sort of a deacon in that respect. He carried the bag the gifts and the offerings that were given to Jesus and his disciples.

Judas carried the bag but it was his downfall because Judas was covetous. So it's very important that as we consider the qualifications of a deacon because he will have access to finances to funds. And you know sometimes a person who has access they embezzle the funds away from a big corporation.

They work in the office and they skim some off. Not greedy of filthy liquor. We are holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. He must be a man of faith. A man of belief in the word of God and in Christ Jesus.

A man of faith the mystery of faith Christ in you the hope of glory. He must walk in that mystery with a pure conscience. And as we think of a pure conscience Paul said I have exercised myself always to keep a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man.

This is very important. A clear conscience so that there is an open heaven. There is nothing hidden. There is no condemnation there is no guilt. Because my conscience is clear. Let these also first be proved and let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless.

And I believe that proving is before you would call a man to the office of a deacon. You know his life. His life is proving itself. I don't believe this is necessarily saying that you put him in an office of a deacon and then prove him for a while.

But rather we know the brethren we have proved their lives. We know them and they have proven trustworthy, men of integrity men of honesty men who are full of faith. Men who have a good conscience. Men who are not covetous or greedy of filthy lucre.

The Character of Deacons' Wives

Even so must their wives be grave not slanderers, sober faithful in all things. And this is very important also because the wife of a deacon or an elder they have a great responsibility to to keep that testimony very clear very, very true.

Because you know there's times that maybe a deacon's wife knows some things about finances or about a person's struggles. Deacons often get involved in people's financial problems and encourage them in counseling and accountability and so forth.

And a wife may know some of those things. She must not be a slanderer. She must not be a gossip. She must be trustworthy sober, faithful in all things faithful to the Lord and faithful to be a woman of integrity that keeps those things which are to be kept in the heart and not to be shared and broadcast around not slandering people not taking what knowledge she might have to use it to injure and to hurt and to speak evil.

Faithfulness in Marriage and Family Rule

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife. I think that's very clear. It's a husband of one wife. It's a man who loves his wife, he is faithful to his wife, he has eyes only for his wife. The little statement makes it very clear he's a one woman man.

He's faithful in his marriage relationship. He's faithful to his wife. He's the husband of one wife and he knows that and he keeps his heart and his mind and his eyes solely and purely for his wife. Now I know there has been some thought already that in this time of the early church there might still have been polygamy in practice and that may be a possibility but I believe it speaks also deeper to us in what I just shared about faithfulness in marriage.

But if there would have been polygamy existing in the church, this would have eliminated one who would have had more than one wife from the office of a deacon they are to rule their children and their own house as well because if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house how can he take care of the church of God and so this is a qualification that is just very clear and it's very much based on the character of a man and of his wife and family that he is a man who has respect and honor of his children and he rules his house well he rules his house with love he's a faithful father he's a faithful husband and the family is secure the family is blessed with this man's oversight and his love his covering over his family for they that have used the office of a deacon well purchased to themselves a good degree and great boldness which is in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Teaching, Preaching, and the Deacon's Calling

Now there was a few things not mentioned in the qualifications of a deacon that are mentioned in the qualifications of a bishop and so I believe they're purposefully not mentioned or they're not reiterated because for a deacon he does not need to be apt to teach.

Deacon doesn't teach and preach now a deacon can teach and preach if he has that gift but it's not necessarily required any other comments or thoughts? We will then turn over to Acts 6 again let's go to Acts chapter 6 and while we're turning there any further comments or thoughts as we look at this matter of deacon and the qualifications we have further qualifications here that were not specifically mentioned in Timothy and that is found in verse 3.

Wherefore brethren look out among you seven men of honest report. Now honest report was definitely covered in Timothy. Men of integrity and of honesty men are not double-tongued, men who are faithful.

Look out of you men of an honest report. You know if you throw some accusation at them it won't stick. You know as Christians sometimes we are falsely accused we are slandered but this is speaking of you know as in the body of Christ as believers if there's an accusation thrown against them it won't stick.

There's an honest report. Their life will say no I don't believe that. I know that brother. Full of the Holy Ghost ultimate importance absolute. A man who is full of the Holy Ghost filled with the Spirit controlled by the Spirit.

How do you know he's controlled by the Spirit? By the fruit of the Spirit that comes out of him. He shall know them by their fruits, by their joy, by their love, by their temperance, by their faith, their meekness, their kindness.

You shall know them as full of the Holy Ghost because when the Holy Ghost is when you're filled with the Holy Ghost as the little boy said he sticks out all over you. You can't keep him in. Full of the Holy Ghost.

Rivers of living water flowing out of his being because he's full of the Holy Ghost. And wisdom. Here it mentions the word wisdom specifically. And you know it needs to be a man of wisdom because often you are called upon to to give counsel someone who's maybe in financial trouble or someone who has an area of need in their life in given testimony or walk of the Christian life and the deacons get involved.

They share in these matters. It needs to be a man of wisdom. A man of understanding who can give wise counsel to help in situations that can be sometimes quite difficult and quite complex. Alright, any other thoughts on deacon qualifications on deacons?

Yes. Peace is mentioning faith. Man full of the Holy Ghost and faith as in Stephen which we see that in Acts there just a little bit later. Any other comments? Do we have men that are qualified? Yes. We do.

Calling the Congregation to Select Deacons

This is a joyous time for the church. Seeking the face of God whom the Lord has chosen for this work. I want to give you the charge that is given here in Acts chapter 6. The twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business. My dear brothers and sisters at charity I want to charge you.

Look out among you men full of the Holy Ghost men full of faith and wisdom men that we may appoint over this business that the work of the Lord, the work of the church may continue to grow and to flourish men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.

It was shared in brother's meeting that we are looking to the Lord to ordain two deacons. And so I want to encourage you to pray about that and to look out from among us here at charity two men that we may appoint over this business.

I encourage you to share with your wife, with your family if you have young people in your home that are born again Christians and even younger children. It's good to talk about it. It's good to discuss it.

Let this be a time where we look into the scriptures and we exercise ourselves and we press into seeking the heart of God as to who the Lord has chosen to be our deacons here. I thought it's sort of interesting that this morning John Mark isn't here and Lester isn't here.

Our deacons aren't here. So I guess I can brag on him. I can say brothers and sisters we are so blessed as an elder team for our deacons. Our deacons look out for so many things so that we elders can give ourselves to the word of the Lord, to prayer and to the preaching of the word of God.

Practical Responsibilities of Deacons

We also shared in brother's meeting concerning the role of the deacons. Let's see if I can find my papers here. John Mark and Lester had shared some of those things with us and we shared them at the brother's meeting.

Now where did I put that paper? Here it is. I thought it would be a blessing for you all just to get a window into what are we looking for because it will help you to know how to pray and how to discern the need that is in the body.

Specific tasks of our deacons that they fulfill are book keeping, recording all transactions, paying bills and depositing the offerings. So the person that is to fill the role of the deacon, he should have book keeping skills.

Another specific task, listening for financial needs in the body, helping to discern how the congregation should respond to those needs. Our deacons do so well listening for financial needs in the body and being there because you know when something happens and you have a sudden unexpected event, maybe a sickness or an accident and all at once you're thrust into a situation where your normal has just changed.

And now instead of going to work, you're at the hospital. And our deacons come along, bring blessing and encouragement and are there to offer how can we help in a financial way? What are the needs and the burdens that you're facing?

I already mentioned they also get involved quite often in financial counseling as needed. If someone is having an issue and their finances just aren't reaching around and they're financially in trouble, the deacons often get involved in helping to look into matters and seek to help the person get on top of things and develop a good plan for financial freedom rather than being in debt and in bondage.

Here's some other practical things. The deacon is very involved in planning and organizing church cleaning. Our deacons at this point are also involved in Sunday school troop attending where they are looking for to find teachers for the classes and so forth.

There's a lot involved in that. Another specific task that our deacons do so well in is a funeral. When there's a need for planning for a funeral and again often those things happen unexpectedly very suddenly and our deacons have done so well to have a plan in place.

They have a rapid response plan in place that if there's a sudden unexpected death, they know all the procedure of what is needing to be done to facilitate in a funeral a burial and all these kind of things.

Funeral directors they have all that information. Another thing that is very specific that our deacons take care of is the church directory and hotline data management. This is quite large. This might seem like a small thing but this is pretty big.

For the entire congregation, keeping track of births, keeping track of church membership, keeping track of address and phone number changes when they take place. So that is quite a large responsibility that our deacons take care of.

I never look at any of that. I just am so blessed to receive the directory and open it up and be blessed by it. How many of you are blessed by that? And it's so accurate. There are so few mistakes. The deacon needs to be a man of detail, specific detail.

Our deacons also communicate with cleaning staff and building trustee. Our deacons give oversight to the sermon ministry providing direction and support as needed. And this was already touched on but our deacons visit the sick and the elderly and the widows caring for them.

Ordination, Growth, and the Edification of the Church

I'm looking forward to this deacon ordination. It tells us here in Acts 6 and when they had prayed over these deacons they laid their hands on them the word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly and a great company of priests were obedient to the faith.

So there we see there was multiplication. There was increase as the needs of the body were being met. A peace came. Remember how this Acts 6 started? There was murmuring. There was discontent because needs were not being met.

Things were falling through the cracks as we say. And there was some widows that were being neglected. They weren't their needs weren't being ministered to and other widows were being cared for and it was not working very well because the apostles were overworked and they couldn't reach around.

And our deacons are feeling that. Our deacons are very faithful very diligent in so many things that they care for but they're also sensing the load and they put many hours into it. Does anybody remember what John Mark shared?

How many hours he might put in? In a week or a month? Average? Anybody remember that number? What was it? I don't remember the number. Sorry. He didn't put it down for us here as Lester and John Mark shared these things but I didn't write that number down.

But brothers and sisters we are looking forward to the church being edified being continued to be shepherded and ministered to and cared for in the ordination of qualified deacons. And I say brothers and sisters we are so blessed as I look around in this congregation our struggle won't be to find two that are qualified our difficulty may be to narrow it down to two because there are so many qualified brethren.

And brothers and sisters brethren, these qualifications are for all of us. This should be the normal Christian life that we are living in the blessing and the reality of the fullness of God walking in His grace and freedom even as the scriptures command us.

So brothers I charge you let's take this to heart let's press in and look out from among us two men who we may appoint and ordain over this business and see the church continue to prosper and be blessed.

I might mention yet we are looking at Wednesday evening to receive your nominations. Wednesday evening before the ordination which is planned for September the 8th I believe it is. Let me just make sure on those dates.

Deacon ordination September the 8th and the church coming together on Wednesday evening September the 4th to hear the voice of the brotherhood as to whom God has chosen for this work. So God bless you.

Thank you. Thank you Brother Aaron very much for sharing from the Word of God. Very rich and I believe all of us like Brother Aaron said can take something home from this. So are you qualified? I won't ask for a raise of hands.

But like Brother Aaron said many, many are qualified but God has chosen the ones that he wants to be the deacons of this local fellowship. Is there anything that anyone would have to share yet before we continue on here?

Maybe you have something that you would like to share along the line of the blessing that you have seen in the deacons work here in this body and how you have appreciated it and how it has blessed you.

Yes one up front here. Brother Mel.

I've been so blessed with the varied gifts in the deacons. I know they both have the gift of helps. And Aaron mentioned bookkeeping as kind of a qualification. I recognize that as well. However, in the deacon team we have currently there is one that has specific abilities along those lines.

So I don't know that each one has to have a dominant gifting in necessarily all of these areas, but especially in some of the specifics he brought out. I've been so blessed watching the deacons that we have currently.

You know, John Mark really does have those bookkeeping abilities where Lester has a little bit more hands-on abilities. I've just been so blessed observing them.