If you’ve been a follower of Christ for any length of time perhaps you’ve noticed that in Christian circles there are a whole bunch of words and phrases that are only used in church. These sayings often make very little sense to the population of people who don’t participate in church. Sometimes these phrases are meaningful and at other times they are just flat out weird. We say things like, “hedge of protection” and “God laid it on my heart” and “we’re just going to love on people” (kinda creepy?) or “it just feels like a God-thing” so maybe we can “bathe this in prayer.” Most of the time I am eager to shed “churchy” language from my vocabulary when it pops up. I want to be simple and honest and clear. But at other times a “churchy” word or phrase resonates for our community and when that is true, I don’t want to shy away from it even if it is churchy. After all, we are a church! So, we recently formed a “deacon” team and I am very aware that many people have never heard that word or just have no idea what it means. So, I asked Vaun if she would write up a little description for us and here is what she said:
“I am delighted that Platt Park Church has continued the church tradition of appointing deacons to help care for those in need. The first time we see this occurring in scripture is in Acts 6 when Stephen and six other men were selected by the apostles to help feed the poor and care for the widows. The criteria by which they were chosen was that they be well respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom. Phoebe was the only person actually called a deacon (Romans 16) and presumably the same criteria was used for her selection. A deacon is a servant or minister and the origin of the word means quite literally “through the dust.” These are people willing to get involved in the messiness of life. Platt Park could not have chosen a better founding group of deacons than Bill, Connie, Jan and Carol.”
I too am grateful for this new team!
Susie Grade 