I hope all congregations have a sessional liaison with the diaconate. At the very least, sessions need to know what the deacons are doing so they can provide proper oversight to their work, and, as needed, assist with counseling or other tricky situations.
In my opinion, the pastor should serve as said liaison. While deacons certainly must hold firmly to our faith, they may not know the Scriptures as well as an elder might. Thus, the pastor (who is usually a congregation's "chief teacher") can help the deacons study the Bible when they need guidance on a thorny problem. Along with insight into God's Word, the pastor can offer the deacons insight into people; that is, if anyone knows what's going on with members of the congregation, he does. That knowledge can prove very useful to the deacons when processing requests for financial assistance.
At the same time, the diaconate offers the average pastor the opportunity to do his work much better. Let's face it: at least in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, said average pastor tends to be cerebral and bookish. He may be good at exegesis, but not so good at helping people put the pieces of their lives back together, which, of course, is what deacons (should) excel at doing. The more the pastor learns about the mundane problems which are consuming the lives of the members of his congregation, the better he'll be able to preach to them. Instead of warning them about the lastest theological controversy amongst seminary students, he can offer his hearers the comfort the Scriptures bring to those who mourn and struggle to faithfully tithe each week.
If elders want a better pastor, they should make him work with the deacons.
In my opinion, the pastor should serve as said liaison. While deacons certainly must hold firmly to our faith, they may not know the Scriptures as well as an elder might. Thus, the pastor (who is usually a congregation's "chief teacher") can help the deacons study the Bible when they need guidance on a thorny problem. Along with insight into God's Word, the pastor can offer the deacons insight into people; that is, if anyone knows what's going on with members of the congregation, he does. That knowledge can prove very useful to the deacons when processing requests for financial assistance.
At the same time, the diaconate offers the average pastor the opportunity to do his work much better. Let's face it: at least in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, said average pastor tends to be cerebral and bookish. He may be good at exegesis, but not so good at helping people put the pieces of their lives back together, which, of course, is what deacons (should) excel at doing. The more the pastor learns about the mundane problems which are consuming the lives of the members of his congregation, the better he'll be able to preach to them. Instead of warning them about the lastest theological controversy amongst seminary students, he can offer his hearers the comfort the Scriptures bring to those who mourn and struggle to faithfully tithe each week.
If elders want a better pastor, they should make him work with the deacons.
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