The size of the crowd is not always important.  Sometimes having more time is more important than having a larger crowd.  Such is the case on the Monday night each August when we ordain new deacons.  That’s how it was last night when we ordained five new deacons.

Don’t get me wrong – I’d love for every member of the church to attend this sacred service.  Each year we do invite the whole church and some members do attend.  But most of those who choose to attend this annual service are deacons, pastors, and our wives.

This service is different than others.  There is some singing and I share a devotional challenge – but those generally last 20 minutes combined.  Last night we spent 45 minutes in prayer.  Taking time to pray when we set aside men to the sacred office of deacon is very important.

Last night 40 ordained pastors and deacons helped us ordain these five new deacons by laying hands on and praying over each one of them.  Each new deacon had 40 men individually pray for him.  That is not something we rush.  We take our time.  While this is happening the wives of our deacons and pastors pray with each of the new deacons’ wives.

The procession from deacon to deacon is beautiful display of God’s holy work among us.  It is special.  There are always tears – the kind of tears that flow from gratitude to God and the overwhelming sense of His presence among us.

There were special moments last night – such as seeing:

• a dad help ordain his two sons and
• a mom pray and cry with her daughter and
• young deacons ordain another man from their Sunday School class as a new deacon and
• a daughter’s moist eyes as her dad was ordained

I could write more, but suffice it to say I’m glad we took our time last night.  Some things just don’t need to be rushed.

Take a moment to look at the photos below and pray for these new deacons and their wives.  Pray for our church.  Taking time to pray is a good thing.

Pastor Steve Hogg