And we know that the deacons are charged to show forth the compassion of Christ and And so what is it about the nature of mercy ministry that really requires a partnership with the elders?

Right.

So I think fundamentally we could say, you know, this mercy ministry does involve shepherding.

It's not just distribution of funds.

So that, you know, by definition, knowing that the physical needs, spiritual needs are intertwined, deacons and elders have to be working hand in glove as deacons support the overall shepherding needs.

So that's one thing that's probably worth a whole podcast in and of itself.

Second, there's a lot of wisdom about priorities that are required.

And on those structures, a whole culture of cooperation can develop.