On Saturday, September 9, 2023, I was invited to present The Three Tables to the Calvary Baptist and Little Red River Associations in a gathering at First Baptist Pangburn, AR. It was wonderful to fellowship with these dear pastors and deacons and to discuss The Three Tables. At one point, a pastor explained that he …
Is Our Deacon Body Too Small for “The Three Tables” Model? Read More »
Dr. Steve Lemke has written a helpful piece on the different ways that deacons can help their pastors. He encourages deacons to: be problem solvers; be servants; be companions in ministry; be prayer partners; be consistent; be encouragers; be trusted confidants and friends; be positive men of faith. In his article, Lemke speaks to each …
Dr. Steve Lemke on “How Deacons Can Help Their Pastors” Read More »
I am the editor of the eight-volume Collected Writings of James Leo Garrett Jr.: 1950–2015. In volume 3 of the series, we published Dr. Garrett’s two 1991 articles on the historical role of Baptist deacons. The Three Tables are referenced in these articles. Here are the two articles:
As The Three Tables study argues, the single greatest way for deacons to serve the Table of the Pastor is to assist him in ministering to and caring for the families of the church. Most pastors would likely say that this assistance is most helpful and most appreciated. I certainly would. Many churches in the …
Dr. Darrell Paulk, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dublin, Georgia, has shared with me the way that he and the deacons have decided to embrace The Table of the Pastor from The Three Tables Model. My thanks to Dr. Paulk for sending this. I think this is well-thought-out and a helpful example of how …
How One Church Has Embraced “The Table of the Pastor” Read More »
In “Ecclesiological Guidelines to Inform Southern Baptist Church Planters,” a 2004 document written by R. Stanton Norman for the SBC North American Mission Board, Dr. Norman writes: Deacons have played a significant role in Baptist churches throughout their existence. Early American Baptists identified three “tables” of service for deaconate. Deacons were to care for the …
In 1678, the Baptist Theme Grantham published in London Hear the church, or, An appeal to the mother of us all to all the baptized believers in England, exhorting them to steadfastness in the truth, according to the scriptures : together with some farther considerations of seven queries, sent to the baptized believers in Lincolnshire, …
Thomas Grantham’s 1678 Observation on Deacon Distribution of the Elements Read More »
In his essay, “The Lord’s Supper in the Context of the Local Church,” in the 2010 Broadman & Holman publication, The Lord’s Supper: Remembering and Proclaiming Christ Until He Comes, Ray Van Neste writes: In many Baptist churches the deacons serve the elements. This is often connected to the service of the deacons in distributing …
Ray Van Neste on Deacon Service at The Table of the Lord Read More »
On Thursday, January 18, 2023, I offered an overview presentation of The Three Tables to a number of North Arkansas Baptist Association pastors, deacons, and spouses gathered at Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Berryville, Arkansas. Here is audio of that presentation with a few pictures below. My sincere thanks to Associational Missionary David Graham for …
The Three Tables (Audio) Overview with The North Arkansas Baptist Association Read More »
