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Theo said:
What I would like to see, for example, would be that the elders have final authority over SPIRITUAL issues, but the deacons would have authority over FINANCIAL matters. (I realize some if not most Presbyterian elders would not like this at all.)

In our churches we have the following system: We have to kinds of offerings. (1) An offering that is given by member to maintain the preaching of the Word in the congregation. This means that the minister's "salary" (we don't call it a salary but I don't know the correct English word for it) comes from that offering as well as expenses to maintain the physical infrastructure. The elders have responsibility for how this is spent. (2) During the worship service there is a collection that is used by the Deacons for financially supporting people in the congregation who are in need. And, they sometimes also help people outside the congregation as well. Once a year the Deacons report to the Elders on their activities.

However, we don't see the Deacons' task as merely collecting and distributing money. Some reflection on Acts 6:1 will show that what is being said there is not merely a matter about material things. It is about believers caring for each other. The Deacons has this caring task as their duty but they also have to encourage the members of the congregation to by themselves care for other members of the body of Christ.

I also would like to thank all of you who participated in this discussion started by Robin. For me it was most useful to participate and to hear what others have to say about the duties etc of elders in the church. On August 25 we had an elders' meeting where we discussed a lot of matters about the office of elder and the practical aspects of our service in the congregation. I now have to write a proposal for church council about some practical aspects in the way forward. This afternoon I met with two fellow elders to discuss the basics of the proposal. I can assure you that this discussion helped me a lot so that I could firmly set the boudaries within which I think we should move forward. They agreed with me on these basic principles, one of which is that the teaching/instruction aspect of the office of elder should be expanded.


Johan