Deacon Conference, April 27-28
Registration is Now Closed for this event.
Please contact your Area Missionary if you have any questions.

Jim Henry has held many positions of leadership including President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1994-1996.  Jim Henry served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando from September 1977 to March 2006, when he retired and was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, "Brother Jim” is a graduate of Georgetown College in Kentucky and earned his B.D., M. Div. Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also pastored churches in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.  On April 27 and 28 at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Brother Jim will be leading the SBCV's Deacon Retreat.  Come join us for a time of enhancing Biblical leadership!
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Schedule:
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2007
6:00 p.m............. Registration
6:30 p.m............. Dinner
7:15 p.m............. Session 1
8:45 p.m............. Dismiss
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007
7:45 a.m............. Breakfast
8:15 a.m............. Session 2
10:00 a.m............. Break
10:15 a.m............. Session 3
(Q&A with Dr. Henry)
11:00 a.m............. Session 4
11:45 a.m............. Lunch
12:30 pm. ........... Session 5
2:00 p.m............. Dismiss
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Hotel Information:
Wingate Inn
3777 Candler's Mtn. Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.845.1700

The Days Inn
3320 Candler's Mtn. Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.847.8655

Ramada Inn
3436 Odd Fellows Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.847.7500

Quality Inn
US 29 at Odd Fellows Road Exit 7
Lynchburg, VA 24501
434.847.9041

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Last year, Focus on the Family released these sobering statistics:
1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches; Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression and do not have a close friend or confidant; Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of pastors' wives are discouraged with the ministry.

“This has the potential to revolutionize the church, and the deacon ministry. The church is revolutionized when we [Deacons] start doing what God instructs us in the New Testament.” ~ Jim Henry.  The relationship between a pastor and a deacon is a very special relationship. Every deacon needs to understand that they have been called not only to serve the congregation but also to support and minister to the pastor and his family as well. Below are a number of ways for a deacon to support his pastor.

• A deacon should regularly pray for the pastor and his family. Prayer is the most important thing a deacon can do to support the pastor. "Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there." Romans 15:31
• A deacon should encourage his pastor. A positive word or written notes of appreciation will lift the pastor's spirit and are always well received. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:11
• A deacon should always make himself available to counsel his pastor. A deacon can be a pastor's best friend, confidential listener, and adviser. "Plans fail for lack of councel, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22
• A deacon should help lead the church to pay the pastor well. One of the best ways to encourage a pastor and his family is through adequate financial compensation and benefits. "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching...the worker deserves his wages."
  I Timothy 5:17-18
• A deacon should look for ways to protect the pastor and his family. It is impossible for a pastor to please everyone. A deacon should be ready to protect him from being hurt by hyper-critical, insensitive, and divisive members. "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses." I Timothy 5:19
• A deacon should seek to follow his pastor's leadership. A servant pastor/leader needs men who will support his vision. "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Hebrews 13:17

For information about available deacon training, please e-mail us.