The work of
deacons is subordinate to that of elders. It nevertheless is an extremely
important function in the Lord’s church. The New Testament sets forth
qualifications necessary for appointment to this work. Sadly, brethren
typically have not given nearly as serious attention to these qualifications as
to those for pastors or overseers.
In fact, the
appointment of deacons often seems to come as an after-thought, a necessary but
quick footnote to the process of appointing elders. When viewed in this light,
brethren minimize the importance of an office ordained by God.
It also is not
that unusual to find a deaconship more honorary than effective. The Lord’s
church still has progress to make in actually functioning in the pattern set
forth in the scriptures. Too many congregations effectively still follow a
denominational model where the preacher does the elders’ work, the elders do
the deacons’ work and the deacons don’t do much of anything. It goes without
saying that this is wrong.
Once we understand
the important work of deacons, their appointment should be undertaken with the
same care and adherence to divine qualifications as that applied to the eldership.
What Are Deacons?
The Greek word diakonos is generally translated “minister” or
“servant.” This is helpful but also a bit confusing in trying to understand the
office or work of deacons. The Apostle Paul used this Greek word of himself (1
Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 3:7). The same apostle referred to Jesus by this
general term (Romans 15:8). Regular household servants in the first century
were called such (Matthew 22:13).
Phoebe was a Christian woman who was called a “servant” or “deaconess” of the church
at Cenchrea (Romans 16:1). And all Christians are
servants of Christ.
In our study of
the qualifications and work of elders, we observed these men are themselves
special ministers or servants of the local church.
So, taken
generically the descriptive word or title doesn’t really tell us too much.
Obviously, as we
begin to examine the qualifications for deacons in the church, not everyone who
is a Christian is in view. Those qualifications necessarily narrow both the
function in view of who may carry out this work.
If this seems
confusing, let’s observe some parallel uses of non-biblical titles. Everyone
who listens to someone else is an “auditor.” But in the state of Ohio,
where I live, every county has a person elected as “county auditor” to record
and account for public financial records. So, we see that many words have a
general or “generic” meaning and also a specific one applied to a special
function or office.
While all
Christians, male and female, new converts and mature, are servants generally,
deacons have a specific work distinguishable from that of other members.
What Is A Deacon
Supposed To Do?
There isn’t a
great deal directly stated in scripture about the specific work of deacons. In
fact, if you limit yourself to passages that use the term “deacon” or
“deacons,” you’ll find no direct help in defining their work (1 Timothy
3:8,10,12; Philippians 1:1).
While the seven
men appointed in the early church (Acts 6:1-6) were not specifically called
deacons, this passage really seems the only one that paints a picture of what
special servants in the church would do.
Obviously, they do
not do the ruling, guiding, overseeing and spiritual
shepherding that is the job of the elders.
The seven men
chosen by the church in Jerusalem
handled very necessary physical work (care of needy widows) so that the
apostles could give their full attention to preaching the word of God.
It is not stated
whether elders then existed in the Jerusalem
church. The deacons’ work aided or served that congregation and simultaneously
freed the apostles from having to divert themselves from their main work in the
word.
It has been
generally concluded that deacons today handle the same type of work so that
elders can remain focused on their primary function.
Two of those men
appointed in Jerusalem were also
preachers—Philip and Stephen. So, it is obvious that their work as special
servants or deacons did not preclude their doing other work in the kingdom as
well.
And it probably is
an over-simplification to describe elders’ work as the “spiritual” work of the
church and that of the deacons as the “physical” work. As we’ll observe in
looking at the qualifications for deacons, men of spiritual strength and
maturity are to be sought for this office. Stephen is described as “a man full
of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5).
Common duties of
deacons today include care of the treasury, maintenance of worship facilities,
preparations for various functions of the church, assistance to widows and
other needy members and other similar things.
Who May Serve As
Deacons?
The qualifications
or requirements for deacons are set forth in only one passage of scripture—1
Timothy 3:8-13. One who has read the qualifications for elders in the preceding
verses and in Titus 1 will observe that deacons must meet many of the same
criteria as elders.
Like elders, they
must be men. Paul told Timothy they must be “husbands of one wife.” Women,
obviously, can’t be husbands. This precludes the idea of Phoebe being a
“deaconess” in the sense of holding the office in the church.
Deacons can’t be
polygamists, adulterers or men otherwise bound to more than one wife. Of course
this applies to all male Christians, but particularly it demonstrates the type
of man needed for this job.
A married man is
required. Additionally, he is to rule his children and house well. He needs
some experience in managing matters related to people and a household before he
is qualified to handle such things for the local church.
These men must be
“grave” or “reverent,” that is serious or quiet in behavior, not giddy, foolish
or unconcerned. This is serious work they will be doing. If their work is not
accomplished properly, needy saints will suffer, preparations for worship and
other work of the church will be left undone. The right kind of man is needed.
No
“double-tongued” man is suitable. In other words he needs to be honest. A man
who speaks one thing to one person or group and another to thing to others is
unacceptable. Again, remember that the qualifications connect to the work he
will be doing. Neither God nor a
congregation wants a dishonest fellow handling the church’s treasury or dealing
with needs in less than a fair and equitable manner.
He is not to “be
given to much wine.” A deacon, like all Christians,
shouldn’t allow himself to lose sobriety or self-control through the use of
alcoholic beverages. If you’ve been around many drunkards, you quickly realize
the near impossibility of them being grave or reverent in such condition.
Of elders it is
said that they must not “be given to wine” (1 Timothy
3:3). The adjective “much” is not included. A few people have tried to suggest
elders can’t drink at all but deacons can drink moderately. This is a somewhat
humorous “stretch” that ignores the underlying principle in view. Christians
are not to let themselves come under the control of anything that would keep
them from being sound of mind and capable of distinguishing good and evil,
truth and error.
Deacons aren’t to
be men who are “greedy for money.” They can’t be prone to using illegal or
immoral methods to obtain money and they can’t be men who are overly focused on
materialism as opposed to spiritual things. For a case study in why this
qualification exists, look at Judas. He was the disciple responsible for carrying
the moneybox and he was a thief (John 12:6).
These special
church servants must “hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” So,
a local congregation needs to look for a man who is stable in his faith, who
knows the will of God. Even though his work doesn’t deal with spiritual
oversight, he must do his work in conformity to God’s will.
He must be a
“proven” man. This is not speaking of on the job training but rather evidence
of his capabilities assessed before he begins the job of deacon. He must be
pre-qualified, is the idea. Brethren should be able to observe his behavior
with respect to his
family, community, work and other associations and see if he meets God’s
standards.
And, he must be
blameless. This is the same qualification as that given for elders, widows to
be assisted (1 Timothy 5:7) and all mature Christians (2 Peter 3:14). It doesn’t imply a person who has never
sinned, for no one would meet this standard. Rather, it speaks of a person who
can’t be successfully charged with sin. If past sins have been repented of and
forgiven, a charge of sin can’t be brought.
Final Thoughts
While
many deacons eventually become elders, when maturation and desire qualify them,
this office should never be viewed merely as a training ground for becoming a
bishop. It is an important work in its own right. Men who dedicate
themselves to doing this job well “obtain for themselves a good standing and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13).
Novices are not
qualified to be deacons, yet men not old enough to be elders or men whose
children have not matured enough to assess his success in raising “faithful”
children, can qualify to do this important work in God’s kingdom and the local
church.
In the absence of
elders and when a congregation is not fully and scripturally organized, many
people will undertake to do portions of the work normally the task of deacons.
This doesn’t make those people deacons and it doesn’t suggest that deacons
aren’t needed or important.
Just as in
congregations that try to do the best they can without elders, using business
meetings and deference to older members’ judgment, congregations do the best
they can without deacons.
But it must always
be remembered that God’s plan is for every church to have elders and deacons.
That is His goal—and it should be ours.
