This is how we are going to run the ordination ceremony for deacons
We believe that the positions the Lord gives are precious and that there are benefits and blessings through them. I have been praying for there to be many respected lay leaders. 1 Timothy 3:13 says there are great benefits to those who perform their duties well. “Those who have performed the duties of deacons well receive good positions and gain great confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus”. A good position here is not to get worldly status, but to be respected.
However, I don’t want the positions to be of rankings and hierarchies. The meaning of an ordained position is being at a position where others are reluctant to carry the cross and lead the way, but the atmosphere in many Korean churches that I have experienced misunderstood that these positions are positions that are exalted and glorified. That is why I believe that there is a secular culture embedded in the precious ordination ceremony. Decorating with celebratory wreaths and setting the tone similar to that of an inauguration celebration. With such an atmosphere, the erroneous thought that thinks of ordained positions of the church as a hierarchy will not change. So, I am going to try the following:
Firstly, we will refrain from giving flowers to those who are ordained. Instead, I will prepare cross necklaces for them, and I will prepare and give lily flowers, which have the meaning of purity, instead of celebration flowers.
Secondly, we will ensure that those who are ordained do not prepare food for their guests or offer them gifts in return. Instead, the church will bear the expenses necessary for the ordination ceremony. And we will ask those who receive the ordination to cook and serve the food, and welcome them as ‘comrades who will suffer together in the future’.
Thirdly, the contents and the formality of the ordination ceremony are also adjusted. We will remove meaningless contents from the ordination ceremony. When introducing those who are ordained, people who know them closely or from their house churches will come out and share an episode they had with the ordained deacons. And during the time of congratulations or exhortations, church members will advise what would be wanted from them. And at the end of the ordination ceremony, on behalf of the people who have been ordained, someone will share their feelings and their commitments.
What the members of the Sydney Crystal Church have to do is to cooperate with them so that those who are ordained can become faithful and respected servants of the Lord through their devotion as holy bearers, and please be happy for them as if it is your own ceremony. When congratulating them, instead of saying ‘congratulations’, please say ‘We pray you receive blessing through your service’, or ‘We pray you receive heavenly blessings’.
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수정교회 번역팀 2022.03.20 06:17
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We believe that the positions the Lord gives are precious and that there are benefits and blessings through them. I have been praying for there to be many respected lay leaders. 1 Timothy 3:13 says there are great benefits to those who perform their duties well. “Those who have performed the duties of deacons well receive good positions and gain great confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus”. A good position here is not to get worldly status, but to be respected.
However, I don’t want the positions to be of rankings and hierarchies. The meaning of an ordained position is being at a position where others are reluctant to carry the cross and lead the way, but the atmosphere in many Korean churches that I have experienced misunderstood that these positions are positions that are exalted and glorified. That is why I believe that there is a secular culture embedded in the precious ordination ceremony. Decorating with celebratory wreaths and setting the tone similar to that of an inauguration celebration. With such an atmosphere, the erroneous thought that thinks of ordained positions of the church as a hierarchy will not change. So, I am going to try the following:
Firstly, we will refrain from giving flowers to those who are ordained. Instead, I will prepare cross necklaces for them, and I will prepare and give lily flowers, which have the meaning of purity, instead of celebration flowers.
Secondly, we will ensure that those who are ordained do not prepare food for their guests or offer them gifts in return. Instead, the church will bear the expenses necessary for the ordination ceremony. And we will ask those who receive the ordination to cook and serve the food, and welcome them as ‘comrades who will suffer together in the future’.
Thirdly, the contents and the formality of the ordination ceremony are also adjusted. We will remove meaningless contents from the ordination ceremony. When introducing those who are ordained, people who know them closely or from their house churches will come out and share an episode they had with the ordained deacons. And during the time of congratulations or exhortations, church members will advise what would be wanted from them. And at the end of the ordination ceremony, on behalf of the people who have been ordained, someone will share their feelings and their commitments.
What the members of the Sydney Crystal Church have to do is to cooperate with them so that those who are ordained can become faithful and respected servants of the Lord through their devotion as holy bearers, and please be happy for them as if it is your own ceremony. When congratulating them, instead of saying ‘congratulations’, please say ‘We pray you receive blessing through your service’, or ‘We pray you receive heavenly blessings’.