Introduction: In every organization be it secular of sacred, teamwork and partnership are essential factors that enhances growth and wellbeing of the such organization. Infact, one passage that quickly comes to mind is Ecclesiastes 4 : 9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour; If either of them falls down, one can help the other up, But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”. The place of the deacons’ ministry especially within the Baptist denomination cannot be overemphasized. It is one of the two recognized offices in our denomination. The thought and ability to organize such a retreat at such a time especially in this young Conference is quite encouraging and timely. No doubt, a proper understanding of and appropriation of the advantages of working together will impact not only our local Churches, Association but the Conference as well.
Understanding Some Key Words: A close consideration of some important words is essential;
Teamwork: Teamwork in the view of Andrew Cornegie is “is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to obtain uncommon results”. The team is a group of people embedded in organization, performing tasks that contribute to achieving the organizational goals. They share overall work objectives with necessary authority, autonomy and resources to achieve the objectives. Teamwork is one of the most sort-after skills in any organization, the Church inclusive. Erin Knight in his paper What’s Gonna Work? Teamwork! Notes that “Teamwork means no one’s work was more important depending on how much they did; we are each lending our own gifts and abilities to work one common goal; our positions or titles and even gender must be put aside for the greater good and the grander vision of what God would have us do and while we pray for prosperity and peace, hard times or calamity can be an opportunity to bring us together and make us stronger. To accomplish God’s purpose therefore, we need a common vision, dedicated leaders, and willing workers who do their part.
Partnership: It is a formal alliance of organizations, groups and agencies that have come together for a common purpose. Partnership depend on people.
The Uniform Partnership Act considers partnership as “an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit”. A partnership may be founded on a simple agreement, even a handshake between members. However, sometimes there can also be well crafted and carefully worded legal agreement whether in the general or limited partnership. Within the Church setting, the written constitution where there is one becomes our agreement to work together for the purpose of achieving the common vision. Where there is no written constitution, the oral, appreciated standing practice of the denomination becomes our guide. When we partner with others, our strengths are shared and our weaknesses are supported by one another who may be strong and weak in ways that are different than us.
From the angle of Church ministry, partnership is often referred to a formal relationship between a local church and a Christian. It is a reflection of the organic relationships and community that exists in the local body of Christ. It is biblical, practical and beneficiary. , Hebrews 13:17, 10:241 Corinthians 12:27-28, Romans 15:7; Galatians 6:2
Some characteristics of partnership in church ministry of organisation are;
Shared Vision: There is a common vision and every one wants to see that the vision is realized. They believe in it and work toward it.
Shared Values: Values are things that are important to each member of the group and they work together to protect it.
Shared Beliefs: They believe in the fundamentals of their faith. It is what guides their conduct, actions and inactions.
Shared Burdens: The deacons fellowship must have shared burden in the growth of the local Church and the Conference.
Shared Resources: Effective ministry partnership often involve the sharing of resources. These resources could be financial, materials, or personnel (Acts 2;44-45
Shared Expectations: There should be an understanding of what each member is to bring into the partnership relationship. What should be our unique responsibilities and contributions.
Shared Blessings: Effective ministry partners are blessed because they are all involved in the work of the group bringing about its growth.
Deacons’ Ministry: The root word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word ‘diakonos’ meaning “one who executes the commands of another, a servant, attendant, minister”. It is actually a compound word “dia” meaning through and “konis” meaning dust. So literarily, “through dust” suggest a servant hastening to serve or to wait on his master. In other words, a deacon is a servant of God who serves God’s people on behalf of Jesus Christ, using the servanthood model demonstrated by the master in John 13:1-7 and is commanded by Him in Matthew 28:25-28.
The qualifications of a deacon cannot be raised outside of the scripture. This cuts across spiritual, ethical, ministerial, family and social lives. Some of these are;
One who is honest and of good report (Acts 6:3)
One full of the Holy Spirit. Of good character in spiritual outlook and dedication
One who has the ability to discern right and wrong and stand by his/her conviction
One full of faith,
Able to comport one self , utterances and reverence for spiritual matters (1 Timothy 3:8)
One who is not double –tongued, dependable and honest
One who is not given to wine
One not greedy for material gains
Person who holds the mystery of the faith with clear conscience (1 Timothy 2:10)
One who is blameless
One with a model family (1 Timothy 3:11-12)
Husband of one wife. Able to rule family 1 Timothy 3:12
An Overview of the Text Colossians 4:7-17
This is a letter of Paul to the Church at Colossae, a Church in Asia Minor east of Ephesus the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Paul learnt there were false teachers who insisted that in order to know God and have full salvation one must worship certain spiritual rulers and authorities. Also, one must submit to special rites like circumcision and strict rules about food and other matters.
Reasons for the Letter.
In a rapidly advancing scientific world like this society, how is Christ related to creation., to science, to discovery. Is he inside it or outside of it? (Colossians 1:16 .. “For by him were all things are created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth”)
In an age of ecumenism, people working for a one-world Church, the super-Church. Is this the Church od intends? Who is the head of such a Church and the basis of its unity. Colossians 1:18 answered the question “And he is the head of the body, the Church”
In an age of authority, people are denying any absolute and opting out for the relatives. All authority is suspected and Jesus is seen as just another guru like all the rest, His word is not absolute.. The question here is now Who Jesus really is. However Colossians 1:15, 2:9 are the answer “In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”
In this age of pragmatism where people want to know what works. This is a practical age. The questions are Does Christ give meaning to life- power. Hope, purpose. Colossians 1;22 says “the body of his flesh through death is able to present you holy and unblameable, and unreproveable in his sight” Chapter 3:3 “you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”.
This is also an age of frustrated relationships. People are looking for meaningful relationships. Many people are totally unrelated in a meaningful way to anybody, even their wives, their husbands, their parents, marriages, families. There is difficulty building bridges. Colossians 3:18, 20, 21, 22 gives an answer.
This is an eschatological age, the last days. There is scarcity, wars, and famine, Nuclear devices, pollution choking us. Chapter 3:4 says “when Christ who is our life shall appear we will appear with him in glory”
Partners of Paul in the passage are;,
Tychicus (v.7)“A. beloved brother and faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord” who took the letter to Colossae for Paul.
Onismus, (v.9) the slave on whose behalf Paul pleaded with Philemon. “A faithful and beloved brother who is one of you”
Aristarchus (v.9) “a fellow prisoner” Paul had a particular affection for his fellow-servants and his fellow –prisoners.
Marcus, “sister’s son to Barnabas”. Paul had a quarrel with Barnabas upon the account of this Mark who was his nephew, and thought not goo to take him with them, because he departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.
Jesus: The Hebrew name for Joshua; Justus, is also a fellow-labourer unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me” .
Epaphras (v.12): One who is always labouring fervently for you in prayers. Epaphras has learned of Paul to be much in prayer for the friends”.
At list there are six reasons for the study of this letter.
Luke: The beloved physician He wrote the Gospel and Acts, and was Paul’s companion.He was both a physician as well as evangelist.
Demas: (2 Tim.4:10) Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world.. A man with a negative influence.
The issues to consider are
Deacons like all Christians are on the team devoted to the service of God 4:7; Acts 20 ;4; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12,21. People like Tychucus,4;7, Onesimus Col 4:9; Aristarchus Col 4:10; Mark; Jesus called Justus Col.4:11; Epaphras Col 1:7-8; Luke , Demas.2 Tim.4:10;
The team is made of men and women of different racial differences and socio-economic backgrounds
The team is the family of God Col 4:7
All team members are slaves of Jesus Christ 4:7, 11, 12
Prayer is a key language for the team for Christian maturity 1 Cor.7:13, 40.
Team members do disappoint us 2 Tim 4:11
Values of Team work and Collaboration from Exodus 17:8-13
This particular text is on the activities of Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Hur during the battle of the Israelites with that of the Amalekites. Note the following;
Moses had to pray and keep praying until Israel wins the battle through the leading of Joshua. The prayer pattern was Moses holding up his hands. The life or death of the Israelites depends on the prayers of Moses as the one holding up his hands.
In a team spirit, when the hands of Moses was becoming weak, Aaron and Hur voluntarily provided the necessary support by holding up the hands of Moses. The two persons were not selfish as to think of taking over the position of Moses. They all played their roles and Israel . The battle was won with prayer, but also through human instruments.
Risk Sharing
Division of Labour / Shared Responsibility
Conclusion
I wish our leaders, the Deacon’s fellowship of the Conference for holding this retreat. May God Almighty help us to collectively serve as rope holders for the expansion of the kingdom of God.
Inspiring