INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Bible Teachers International (BTI) a division of MARY BANKS MINISTRIES, MBM where the mandate of the Lord is that we prepare the saints to be “Soldiers, fit for the Master’s use.” God has given us a sure Word that is able to cleanse us from all carnality and train us in the mind of Christ. We are excited that the Father has chosen you to be a part of this awesome reformation.

The auxiliaries of BTI are part of the method used as a ministerial training mechanism to prepare us to walk as Jesus did, in submission to the will of the Father. The Deacon Board is one of these auxiliaries. They are also called “love units,” as here is one of the places that the individual members will truly learn to love each other and those whom they serve. Some may ask, “Why are auxiliaries necessary?” “Are they important and what part, if any, do they play in God’s overall purpose for my life?” These are all fair questions and I’m most certain that once you have completed your study of this manual, you will see the importance of the auxiliaries.

God is a God of order and there is order and structure to everything He does in the Body of Christ. The training that we receive by being a member of an auxiliary is vital to our spiritual development; because the auxiliaries are designed to prepare us to work ministry (the work of God for the people of God).

Preparing To Serve: Just as pre-school, high school and college prepares one to be an effective and productive member of society, so will the auxiliaries or “love units” teach and prepare you how to effectively and skillfully work in the lives of people. The Father does not send unskilled laborers to work in His vineyard. We must be properly trained by the Holy Spirit to work ministry.

Therefore, it is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to instruct us in the heart and mind of the Father not just from the pulpit, but also in smaller group settings (auxiliaries).

To follow are just some of the benefits and invaluable knowledge you will receive as a functioning member of the Deacon Board:

1. You will learn how to be a team player and be considerate of your fellow board members. You will learn servitude as you are encouraged to consider what is best for the board and not just yourself. You will learn to be unselfish in your thinking and actions as you become more aware of the needs of those around you.

2. You will learn to value the opinions, thoughts and ideas of your fellow deacons. Just as you have an opinion so do others. You will also learn how to remain humble when the ideas, opinions or suggestions of others are accepted over yours, and that it is more important that the purpose of God prevail and not your suggestion.

3. You will also discover how to work out conflicts or disagreements peacefully as you learn to respect the individuality of each board member. You will also learn not to fear disagreement or confrontation because, as you will discover, the Word of God always has a solution.

4. You will learn how to respect authority and to support your leader with a pure heart, even when you disagree with a decision they make or with a course of action they may take.

5. As you spend time with your fellow deacons and the congregation, you will begin to see their mindsets, dispositions and struggles which should cause you to see the Body of Christ’s need for the gifts that God has placed within you. You will discover your worth as a son of God as you allow yourself to be touched with the infirmities of others.

6. The auxiliaries will teach you to be faithful and to take ministry serious. Just as you depend on your fellow board members they, too, depend on your active participation in group functions. The entire board is affected when a member is constantly late or absent. As you discern the needs of your fellow deacons it should prompt you to be present, as much as possible, at meetings, shut-ins, prayer sessions and scheduled ministry.

7. Your pursuit of holiness will also be strengthened. You will see that you are not alone in your tests and trials and will gain strength to go through yours as you watch your fellow deacons walk righteously through their tests and trials. You will be encouraged to keep your focus on ministry and not your own personal circumstances.

8. You will become more aware of your dependency on God to effectively work ministry. We can do nothing of ourselves (St.John 15:5). It is God who must work ministry through us. You will learn to trust God’s guidance and place your confidence in His ability to instruct and mature the Body of Christ.

9. You will also learn how to walk in the unity of the Spirit and how to work as a board with one heart and mind.

This Training Manual is designed to introduce and equip you to become one of the functioning members of this auxiliary as well as train you in ministry and groom you in the mind of a servant.

Criteria To be trained as a Deacon: one must fulfill the following criteria:

1. All Deacons must have the Holy Ghost or be actively seeking Him. God’s purpose for all mankind is that we be conformed into the image of Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf, here on earth, is to prepare us to be in right standing with God on judgment day. We must not lose sight of this reality. One day we all must stand before God and give an account for our lives.

This must be your focus as you fulfill your responsibilities as a Deacon. All Deacons must take the New Members Class and be in submission to Apostolic Order. All Deacons must attend service and prayer regularly and take classes offered by the MBGTC.