"The abnegation of reason is not the evidence of faith, but the confession of despair."
- J.B. Lightfoot
Sunday, November 2, 2003
Today, Blo will be ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Houston. In the Baptist tradition, becoming a deacon is a pretty big deal. Blo won't simply be the guy who ushers you to your seat after you show up ten minutes late for church. No! He'll be involved in church committees, helping make decisions at one of the largest churches in Houston. Let's hear it for Blo!
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Comments on "Congratulations, Deacon Blo":
4. shrode
- 11/03/2003 1:18 am CST
He is still a layman. In the protestant church, the view of scripture is that deacons are servants who wait tables while the clergy focus on the ministry of the word and prayer. Of course, deacons are still in many ways spiritual leaders.
Another definition of clergy in modern terms is someone who can marry and bury. Deacons can't do that. (Though we allow deacons in my church to baptize and do Lord's supper.)
It's sticky the more I think about it. But the evidence we have of scripture is that generally the elder/pastor/bishop was supported for his work of preaching and teaching and shepherding whereas the deacon... No scriptural passages support supporting the deacon financially so the assumption is that they will be layman, that is have a "real" job. :)
So Scripturally, we don't see deacons as "professional" ministers as it were.
But much of what we consider clergy today is culturally informed and sadly also defined by the IRS.
Anyway, since his church ordained him, the definitive answer should come from there. When they ordained him, did they intend for him to be "clergy" with the authority to marry, bury and do all the things ministers do? I doubt it.
As a Southern Baptist church, I'm pretty sure they consider him a layman. I do.
I'm afraid to quit writing now, because I know someone somewhere is going to blast me for something... oh well.
5. Blo
- 11/04/2003 5:39 am CST
Thanks for the comments and the kind words.
The service went well. There are 144 deacons in our church so I am not alone. I am certain that I am probably one of the youngest of the group. It can be overwhelming to think about the history of our church and the responsibility to continue the church mission to, "Enlist and Equip Fully Devoted Followers of Christ".
6. Bird
- 11/04/2003 4:51 pm CST
Brandi and I are friends with an older (late 60s/early 70s) Catholic couple here in town, and we had them over for dinner tonight. Turns out, the dude was just ordained as a deacon in his church last summer. I asked him if he was considered "clergy" by the cath. church and he replied, "Oh, yes. Certainly." So I guess it's different with Catholics.
7. Blo
- 11/07/2003 11:29 am CST
Dude that is funny. I'm inclined to believe that Catholic chode might not have his facts straight.
8. shrode
- 11/07/2003 12:34 pm CST
Any Catholics out there with a comment? In your church is a deacon considered a layman?
Not just Houston. One of the largest churches in Texas!
Congrats, Blo! You da man!
Sigh. Just one more thing to keep him for blogging.