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From Mike’s Desk
Mandarin Servants
It is a wonderful blessing to be part of a church family where so many give so much for the sake of expanding God’s Kingdom. It’s part of the reason I am convinced that Mandarin’s best days lie ahead.
Today in our assembly, our shepherds will formally install six men as deacons: Mike Bennett, Gary Eaton, Larry Faulkner, Mike Lankford, Jerry Melton, and Joey Sikes. These men were nominated by the Mandarin Family, and we are grateful for their abilities and their willingness to serve. Their specific ministry assignments will be publicized soon.
We are also delighted to announce that Lori Gallaher is now serving the Mandarin Family as our Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Lori is a gifted person with a strong educational and organizational background, and we are grateful for her willingness to serve. Lori would love to talk to you about the difference you can make for our children.
We express our deepest gratitude to Sherry Emery for coordinating our children’s classes for the last couple of years. Sherry loves the children of this church, she loves connecting young families to each other and to Jesus, and she has done a remarkable job under frequent challenging circumstances.
I could easily fill this column for weeks with names of Mandarin servants. So much good goes on behind the scenes! It reminds me of words once spoken by Harry Truman: “It’s amazing how much you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” It is a wonderful blessing to be part of a church family where so many give so much for the sake of expanding God’s Kingdom. It’s part of the reason I am convinced that Mandarin’s best days lie ahead.
Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’
Deacon Nomination
Our elders have asked the congregation to nominate men to serve as deacons. The qualities of deacons are spoken of by Paul in I Timothy 3:8-13.
Deacon Nomination Forms Due Sunday, May 12
Our elders have asked the congregation to nominate men to serve as deacons. The qualities of deacons are spoken of by Paul in I Timothy 3:8-13. Among the qualities Paul mentions are respectability, integrity, sobriety, honesty with money, committed to the faith, ability to live with a clear conscience, faithfulness to his wife, and a good manager of his children and his home. While it’s not possible to be perfect in all the qualities Paul mentions, this passage helps us identify the overall character of the man God is looking for in a deacon.
Sunday, May 12 is the deadline to nominate men to serve as deacons for the Mandarin Family. A nomination form is included in Sunday’s bulletin. You are free to nominate as few or as many men as you wish who you believe meet the qualities spoken of in I Timothy 3. You can be especially helpful in this nominating process by suggesting an area of our core practices where you think your nominee could be especially helpful. Signed nomination forms can be placed in the prayer box in the back of the auditorium. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with any of our elders.
Mike Johnson
Growing in Ministry
In order for us to carry out our mission and core practices, our elders see the need to appoint deacons.
The qualities of deacons are spoken of by Paul in I Timothy 3:8-13.
The Mandarin Family works together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus. We carry out our mission through five core practices that we refer to as our ABC’s:
Adore God
Belong to Each Other
Care for Our World
Disciple Intentionally
Evangelize Authentically
In order for us to carry out our mission and core practices, our elders see the need to appoint deacons. The qualities of deacons are spoken of by Paul in I Timothy 3:8-13. While it’s not possible to be perfect in all the qualities Paul mentions, this passage helps us identify the overall character of the man God is looking for in a deacon. The task of deacon is not about a title, it’s about service. It’s sometimes about ‘grunt work.’ It’s work, often done behind the scenes with little recognition or reward, but it’s the kind of work honored by God (Mark 10:43-45).
Today, you have the opportunity to nominate men to serve as deacons for the Mandarin Family. A nomination form is included in this bulletin. You are free to nominate as few or as many men as you wish who you believe meet the qualities spoken of in I Timothy 3. You can be especially helpful in this nominating process by suggesting an area of our core practices where you think your nominee could be especially helpful. Signed nomination forms can be placed in the prayer box in the back of the auditorium. The deadline for submitting nominations is May 12. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with any of our elders.
Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’