Deacon of the Month

Our church has initiated a "Deacon of the Month" feature. As DOM the selected deacon is asked to lead in congregational prayer, read Scripture, Testify to God's Goodness, etc. during the month's services. In addition the selected deacon is eligible to submit an article for the church paper. Well, that's the most fun of all the stuff, so I thought I'd publish it here. Your comments and observations are solicited and welcome... Thanks in advance... Terry, DOM for October 2009...

Honors and Criticism

By Terrell Royce Holsinger (Senior)

AKA – “Terry”

Why all that you ask – good question. I am not going to step up on my soap box, but just want to make one small point that we really don’t know people very well. If you saw an obituary for “Terrell Royce Holsinger” without a picture, would you be certain it was me? Maybe. Maybe not. Small point, but we really don’t know each other very well, do we? It’s part of our culture. Like most of you probably don’t know that Sandy and I have a son who is six foot five, has a full beard, is a renowned Caver and lives in the Austin area – also named Terrell Royce Holsinger (Jr.) but like I said, I’m not going to jump up on that soap box. However, if that obit shows up in the next couple of days you’ll have a jump on it (That’s a joke – I’m not planning on kicking the bucket any time soon…)

My real topic is that the idea of Honor versus Criticism was brought home this month with the SGBC Deacons decision to name me the first “Deacon of the Month”. I really don’t like being first in things like this, but that’s how the cookie crumbles. That notwithstanding, I am grateful for the honor and indeed it is an honor to be singled out by one’s peers for special recognition even if it isn’t a “competition” of any kind. It’s good to hear the accolades. And one more interesting thing, I believe, is that those things that we do are done in a spirit of “it’s not a big deal. That’s what we are supposed to do – aren’t we?” – Good works, that is. (Check out the Book of James)

But the whole experience brought to mind that we are probably geared to being more comfortable with criticisms than we are with honors. Do you find that interesting? I suppose that could be because we don’t hear those words (Honors) as often as we hear criticisms. Indeed the honor comments far outnumbered the criticisms over the past four weeks. Your kindness and thank-you’s were appreciated very much. And I believe every one was sincere – except for one or two good-natured jabs. They were taken for what they were – good natured jabs – oh, I already said that…

So thank-you Shady Grove Baptist Church, North Richland Hills, Texas for allowing me to serve our Risen Lord and Savior in this capacity in our church. There are times when the service is difficult, but the rewards far outnumber the difficulties, especially when we know we are in God’s Will in doing what we do. God bless you all – Real Good.

Thanks,

Terry