http://reformeddeacon.com/authors/william-shishko/ Recent content in William Shishko on Readings in the Reformed Diaconate Hugo -- gohugo.io en-us http://reformeddeacon.com/a-training-program-for-deacons/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://reformeddeacon.com/a-training-program-for-deacons/ Excerpt Some Personal Questions for Those Men Considering the Office of Deacon (Based on material in Acts 6:3 & 1 Timothy 3:8-13) Do I regard myself as have a good testimony as a Christian, a Christian husband, a Christian father, a Christian church member, a Christian worker, and a Christian neighbor? Do I manifest the marks of godliness that are an evidence of being “full of the Holy Spirit”? http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-1/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-1/ Excerpt Deacons, in our view, continue their role of serving the congregation in any and every way that frees the elders to most fully do the work of praying, ruling, and teaching according to the Word of God. http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-2/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-2/ Excerpt Our prospective deacons have required homework covering the basics of Reformed doctrine, and the class sessions offer applications to the diaconate which flow out of the heads of doctrine as represented in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and elaborated upon in the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. This is done under a series of “Doctrinal Propositions Which Must Guide the Ongoing and Developing Work of a Diaconate.” http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-3/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://reformeddeacon.com/reforming-the-diaconate-part-3/ Excerpt We have also found it necessary for our deacons to assist certain individuals and families in matters pertaining to budgets and financial planning. The extravagance and ill-discipline of our debt-laden generation have infected well-meaning Christians who need reform in this area of life. Boards of Deacons, due to the very nature of their work, must be models of good management in temporalities, including finances. When financial assistance must be given to “bail out” a family, this should also carry with it a willingness on the part of the beneficiary to receive counsel in bringing his or her finances in line with Biblical patterns of moderation and self-control.