The Qualified and The Ordained

1Timothy 3:8-10

Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons.

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I'll learn to work the saxophone
I play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
And I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues

"Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan

So what does it take to lead the church? Paul says it's about behavior and attitude. To be serious does not mean to be dire, but it means to be attentive. It does not mean not to be fun-loving, but it does mean that there is a time and place for being intent to the job at hand.

Lying, cheating, and stealing are bad. Paul makes this clear. As for drunkenness, that's out. He isn't saying a glass of wine with dinner is bad though. Wine with meals was ordinary so he wouldn't stand against that. Making a living is one thing, being greedy another. Paul would not despise the rich, just those whose riches come on the backs of others.

Here's the fun one, holding fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. One of the concepts of the mystery of faith is that our understanding ends up opening up an even more glorious depths of mystery. The more we know the more there is to know. We should seek God, and we should share what we know and what we learn; and it should always be done with the firm and certain knowledge that God is more than we could ever imagine.

In the end though, the Dan shows us that there are none among us without sin. There are folks who take drunkenness behind the wheel to dire consequences. Paul says "if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons." The Dan says there are those who pass the test and those who fail. I say that because of the mystery of faith, there are those who fail the test and will be ordained, they become deacons.

By grace and through the Holy Spirit the work is still redeemed. God bless Deacon Blues.

Rollin' the Bones, Castin' the Lots

Acts 1:24-26

Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

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Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry
Don't see the time flashin' by
Honey, got no money
I'm all sixes and sevens and nines
Say now, baby, I'm the rank outsider
You can be my partner in crime

But baby, get it straight
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin'
Roll me and call me the tumblin' dice

"Tumblin' Dice" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards recorded by The Rolling Stones

In my faith tradition, the selection of church leaders can be a long and convoluted process. The selection of either Deacons (a ministry of compassion) Elders (a ministry of leadership) begins with a nominating committee. They prayerfully consider those in the congregation who the Lord wants to serve the church. That's right, it's not who they think should lead, they are to discern who God has already called. If they accept the Committee's nomination then the congregation elects them... or not.

Don't get me started on what it takes to ordain and install a Minister in my denomination. There are books written on that subject.

In Acts, the eleven know it's time to be twelve again. They have a set of qualifications. The new 12th will be "one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." (Acts 1:21-22) They know who it should be, they just don't know how to pick between the two they finally identified, so they cast lots.

They take a "rank outsider" and make them a full "partner in crime." They do this by rollin' the bones, tumblin' the dice, castin' the lots. They trust not in chance, but that by this humanly random act the divine will intervene and show them the way. They trust the sovereignty of God to take dominion over the lot.

I'm not saying you should flip a coin in the name of the Lord, but I am saying that to make important decisions we must first consider what is important to God, as the eleven did when nominating the 12th. Then let God show you the way. Have faith, trust in the word of the Lord, and know God is always in control.