Collaborators
1. When the growth of the church warrants it, it is advisable for each local church to have a body of collaborators or deacons, composed of the pastor, who will be its president, and three to five persons of both sexes, with no more sisters than brothers, who will be appointed as stipulated in the previous lesson, paragraph three.
2. This body of Collaborators will work for the good functioning of all the church's activities and for its spiritual, numerical, and material development. (Acts 6:3; Titus 1:5; Ephesians 4:11-14). They will visit the sick, care for the cleanliness and adornment of the house of God, and carry out all work entrusted to them by the pastor tending to the advancement of the work. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Acts 6:3
Titus 1:5
Ephesians 4:11-14
3. The collaborator or deacon will be recognized by steadfastness, consecration, and spiritual maturity. (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the 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 houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the 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 houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13
4. From among the collaborators, the pastor, as stipulated in the previous lesson, paragraph three, will appoint a secretary and a treasurer, or a secretary-treasurer.
The secretary will draft the minutes of the church's business meetings and everything related to that department.
The treasurer will keep a record of the church's financial income and expenditure, to be reported when stipulated.
5. The body of collaborators, always presided over by the pastor, will act as a discipline committee.
Questions
1. By whom will the body of collaborators be composed?
2. What are their responsibilities?
3. How should collaborators or deacons be?