DEACON - CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACKET - Ryan Fields

descriptions (sharing preaching responsibilities, visitation, conducting weddings and funerals, presiding over baptism and the Lord's Supper, overseeing various ministry teams, etc.) In your opinion, what ministry challenges and opportunities have been created by Covid- 19 for growing the body and reaching more of the lost for Christ? The challenges for growing the body and reaching more lost people for Christ amidst Covid- 19 center around the fact that Christians cannot be physically present for fellowship and corporate worship together, and they cannot be physically present in their various spheres of influence to be salt and light and available for gospel witness as the Spirit opens a door for this. This includes limitations on the frequency and size of gatherings for corporate worship, where the believer is ministered to in a powerful way and where the lost can not only hear the gospel proclaimed but behold the gospel visualized in the sacraments and see the gospel lived out by the community. Yet, there may very well be more opportunities to grow the body and reach the lost for Christ amidst Covid-19. Consider that believers who might have become stagnant in their faith might be awakened by this global pandemic to how much they (and the world) need Jesus. Consider that Christians may have had more time for dedicated study of the Word and prayer amidst much slower social calendars. Consider that many folks who would no longer darken the doors of a church might be willing to tune in to a web-broadcast worship service. Consider that Covid-19 has created instances of greater need within our communities which the church can step up to meet and so witness to Christ's love which compels us. Consider that the social isolation may very well have brought people to realize how lonely and unsatisfied they really are with the life that they have built...and be open to how Christ might meet them in that place of brokenness and hopelessness. What are your thoughts of social media use for reaching the next generation for Christ in New England? There is no question that social media plays a huge role in the lives of the younger generations; this is simply a fact we have to face. In this sense I think we should continue to think about social media as a tool to be able to reach people we might not otherwise reach, and we need to be wise about the way that we use this tool. To me what is vitally important is that social media is the hallway and not the living room for God's people, meaning that it is best as an invitation to community and not a replacement for it. Ultimately people are longing for real community, and we have that to offer them in the church. I also think that pastors need to help God's people think about their habits and behavior on social media and whether they are in keeping with their identity as adopted children of God. For instance, do their posts reveal more of an allegiance to a political party or a particular social platform than an allegiance to Christ and the gospel? We need to help God's people think through the gospel's implications for life on social media, as with every arena of life. Statistically, New England ranks near the bottom on the religious index of areas to live in the country. Please describe your calling to this area and your vision and thoughts for ministering in this challenging environment. New England's "post-Christian" ethos is largely what attracts me to the area, actually. I grew

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