If you’ve put your trust in Christ, you are already a deacon in a broad sense
diakonos is usually just a generic term for “servant” - hence the attribution to non-Christian rulers (Romans 13:4) and even demons (2 Corinthians 11:15)
Deacons shoulder practical tasks so that the elders can channel their energies to the ministry of the Word and to prayer.
We rob ourselves of the benefits of God’s revealed wisdom when we either unduly elevate the role of deacons (say, to de facto elders) or unduly reduce their role (say, to glorified janitors)
The Backstory and the Blunders: How Deacons have functioned#
In the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition, deacons have always functioned mainly as mercy ministers, caring for the needy and distressed and often helping oversee the finances of the church
In the Anglican communion, deacons are either “transitional”, moving toward the priesthood, or “vocational”, appointed for life; all are theologically trained and formally ordained. In fact, every Anglican priest or bishop begins as a deacon, and none ever formally forsakes the office.
In many congregational and baptistic churches, a model of plural elders and deacons - the elders are devoted to spiritual oversight, the deacons to practical service - largely endured until the early twentieth century, when many congregations began favoring a “solo pastor and deacon board” model, often accompanied by an array of comittees.
Six popular conceptions of a deacon that fall short of the Bible’s high vision for the office
Pastor-in-training Peter
“Heard they’re making you a deacon. How long, you think, before they make you an elder?”
Toolbox Terrance
“You’re good at fixing things. They should make you a deacon.”
Spreadsheet Sam
“Our church budget is a mess; we’re looking at another financial shortfall and don’t have any clear income projections for the next fiscal year. Why don’t we make Sam a deacon? Doesn’t he fix people’s money problems for a living?
Corporate Cliff
“Seminaries may teach ancient languages, bless their heart, but they can’t teach executive skills. What this church really needs are some decisive deacons with business sense.”
Veto Vinnie
“What’s the point of being deacons if we’re just ‘yes men’? Of course, I tell Pastor Dave how it is - who else will? Besdies, I only want to keep him humble. Last thing we need is a puffed-up pastor.”
Pseudo-Elder Steve
“Welcome to First Baptist Church, where the pastors say things and the deacons run things. (Seriously, though, if you want to get something important done around here, you’ve got to convince those deacons”)
Biblical scholars have long understood the seven in Acts 6 to provide a pattern for the diaconal office. These men are forerunners who essentially preview the formal role that deacons will soon hold in local churches (e.g. Phil 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-12)
Obervations from Acts 6
“Word Ministry” Prioritized
Whole Congregation Involved
Example process of appointing deacons
Elders keep an eye out for deacon-qualified candidates
Elder welcome and solicit deacon recommendations from the congregation
Elders select a candidate and send a questionnaire
Assuming the candidate’s willingness and the elders’ continued confidence in the choice, they nomiate the candidate to the congregation at a member’s meeting
The congregation is given a month to privately ask questions and get to know the candidate
At the next month’s members’ meeting, the congregation votes on whether to appoint the candidate to the office.
Character Mandated
“of good repute”
“full of the Spirit”
“full of wisdom”
Labor Divided
Deacons are shock absorbers, promoting unity and avoiding drama
Deacons are problem solvers; the seven are deployed to solve the food distribution problem without detailed instructions
A deacon’s work is often quiet, but its effect is profound.
Note Paul’s relative disinterest in what potential deacons are able to do. This list is not about a skill set. Its focus is squarely on who deacons must be. God cares more about character that about gifting.
The measure of a deacon’s life (1 Timothy 3)
Not double tongued (v.8)
Guard their tongues from disclosing information that the person being served either should not know or simply doesn’t need to know
Yeah, Pastor Mike can be like that sometimes. Just between us, it’s a big struggle even for some of us deacons
Guard their ears from being party to gossip or slander against church leaders or fellow members
Oh really? She said that? I was suspicious already, but I’ll definitely keep my distance now!
Guard their tongues again from gossip or slander as they recount conversations or information to others. It’s difficult, after hearing something sensitive or “juicy” not to pass it along - perhaps couching it as a “prayer request”
Bless his heart, we really need to pray for Earl - he still can’t seem to get it together
Flattery, it has been observed, is saying to someone’s face what you wouldn’t say behind their back, whereas gossip is saying behind someone’s back what you wouldn’t say to their face. A qualified deacon studiously avoids both.
Not addicted to much wine (v.8)
Self-controlled in their appetites
Prohibits drunkeness and also anything that would enslave the deacon’s heart or impair his judgment
Qualified deacons will not indulge cravings or abuse substances that would hinder their work or their witness
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v.8)
Should not be deceptive, cutting moral corners, or obsessing over money.
Holds the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience (v.9)
“mystery” = divine truth that was once hidden and is now revealed.
They must know the faith, growing in understanding of God, humanity, Christ, salvation, etc.
They must hold the faith, not being embarrassed by biblical truths that collide with current cultural trends
They must live the faith, living with moral integrity and courage
Hypocrisy, whether expressed in duplicitous speech, secret addictions, or dishonest profits, will slowly shatter a clear conscience.
Tested and Proven (v.10)
Though Paul isn’t explicit about the length or nature of the testing, your church must have some means of vetting the character and competence of potential deacons. This qualifications serves to protect the precious body of Christ from a deacon who has no business of being one.
Faithful Family Life (v.12)
Deacon’s godliness must begin with his closest relationships
If a man is married, he must love his wife and be faithful to her alone
If the deacon has children, he must raise them in an atmosphere of gentle firmness and joyful love, establishing not only the beliefs but the morale of his home. Must manage his family with deliberateness and diligence.
A faithful deacon will receive two gifts in increasing measure: respect and boldness (1 Timothy 3:13)
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”
Similar deacon qualifications laid out in Ephesians 3-6.
Same qualifications for elders applies to qualifications for deacons, except being “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2)
