Church Governance: Deacons

In our study, Blueprint for a Healthy Church, we have reviewed how spiritual gifts are used in a healthy church. We have looked at such topics as expository preaching, doctrinal and gospel clarity, evangelism, conversion, the responsibilities of church membership, and church discipline. 

We are now in the realm of Church Governance; Christ is Head of the Church. Last week Bo taught on the importance of Elders in the Church. 

Continuing with Church Governance we will dive into the role of Deacons.  

What does the Bible say about deacons? What are the responsibilities of deacons? What is the biblical model of who should be a deacon? How do Elders and Deacon compliment each other? 

Elders and Deacons

Elders and Deacons are Church Members. They enjoy all the benefits and responsibilities of Church Members but have been commissioned and entrusted with specific responsibilities in the body. 

Comparing the offices of deacon and elders will help us better understand the two roles. 

The working definition from last week’s lesson: Elders are mature Christian men who have been called out and gifted by God and appointed by the church to lead, teach, protect, and care for a local body, modeling Christ-like character in both life and doctrine.

Elders are the principle spiritual leaders of a congregation and exercise general oversight to ensure unity, doctrinal purity, decency and good order. 

Deacons also have a crucial role in the life, functioning, and health of the local church. The biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church.

In a general sense, every Christian is called to be a deacon (the New Testament word diakonos simply means “servant”). The same root word is one Jesus used in Mark10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus sets the model for deacon service. 

This distinction is based the concept found in Acts 6:1–6. Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

The apostles were devoted “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (v. 4). Since this was their primary calling, seven men were chosen to handle more practical matters to allow the apostles the freedom to continue with their work. This division of labor is similar with the offices of elder and deacon. 

Despite its importance, the New Testament says little about the diaconate. Apart from a passing reference in Philippians 1:1, a list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8–13, and a possible reference in Romans 16:1, there are no explicit remarks on the office. In the history of the Church, we find deacon duties to be varied.

 In the early Church, according to historian Charles Deweese, deacons:

• Visited martyrs who were in prison
• Clothed and buried the dead
• Looked after the excommunicated with the hope of restoring them
• Provided the needs of widows and orphans
• Visited the sick and those who were otherwise in distress. 

While we are all called to serve in the Church, deacons are those that are gifted, commissioned and dedicated to special service. 

The Qualifications of Deacons

The only passage that mentions the qualifications for deacons is 1 Timothy 3:8–13. Paul gives an official but not exhaustive list of the requirements for deacons.

Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16. The similarities of the qualifications for deacons and elders/overseers are striking. Like the qualifications for elders, a deacon must not be an addict (v. 3,), not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 3), blameless (v. 2; Titus 1:6), the husband of one wife (v. 2), and able to manage of his children and household (vv. 4–5). 

The main difference between an elder and a deacon is a difference of gifts and calling, not character. 

Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8–12:

1. Dignified (v. 8): honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, “
2. Not double-tongued (v. 8) say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others or say one thing but mean another..
3. Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
4. Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): not a lover of money, especially since deacons may handle financial matters for the church.
5. Hold to the mystery of the faith (v. 9): hold firm to the true gospel without wavering.
6. Tested/Blameless (v. 10): tested first; then serve if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. 
7. Wives or women (v. 11): women must be dignified or respectable. Not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. The women must also be sober-minded or temperate. 
8. Husband of one wife (v. 12): faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” 
9. Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.

Like Elders, this qualification should be reflected in the lives of all Christians. The Elders and Deacons are expected to demonstrate these character traits to be a model to other Christians.  

The Responsibilities of Deacons

Whereas the office of Elder is often ignored in the modern church, the office of deacon is often misunderstood. Based on the New Testament, the role of the deacon is mainly to be a set aside servant. 

The New Testament does not provide much information concerning the role of deacons. The requirements given in 1 Timothy 3:8–12 focus on the deacon’s character and family life. There are, however, some clues as to the function of deacons when their requirements are compared with those of the elders.

Perhaps the most noticeable distinction between elders and deacons is that deacons do not need to be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). 

Although Paul indicates that a person must be tested before he can hold the office of deacon (1 Tim. 3:10), the requirement that he cannot be a new convert is not included as with an elder. Paul notes that if an elder is a recent convert “he may become puffed up with conceit” (1 Tim. 3:6). 

One implication concerning this distinction could be that those who hold the office of elder are more susceptible to pride because they exercise leadership. On the contrary, it is not as likely for a deacon, who is in a servant role, to fall into this same sin. 

Finally, the title “overseer” (1 Tim. 3:2) implies general oversight over the spiritual well-being of the congregation, whereas the title “deacon” implies one who has a service-oriented ministry.

Beyond what we can glean from these differences in qualifications, the Bible does not clearly indicate all the responsibilities of deacons. Yet based on the pattern established in Acts 6 with the apostles and the Seven, it seems best to view deacons as specified servants who do whatever is necessary to ensure the practical needs are not distracting to the ministry of the Church. Each local church is free to define the tasks of deacons based on how the congregations can best be served. 

What are some duties that deacons might be responsible for today? They could be responsible for anything that’s not related to teaching and shepherding the church. Such duties might include:

• Facilities: The deacons could be responsible for managing the church property. This would include making sure the place of worship is prepared for the worship service, cleaning up, or running the sound system.
• Benevolence: Like what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily distribution to the widows, the deacons may be involved in administrating funds or other assistance to the needy.
• Finances: While the elders should cast the vision for budgeting priorities and putting in financial guard rails, deacons are often responsible for managing the day-to-day financial business. 
• Logistics: Deacons should help in variety of ways so that the elders are able to concentrate on teaching and shepherding the church.
• Practical support: Some deacons may be incredibly gifted with mechanics, plumbing, etc. So that may be an area they concentrate their efforts. 
• Organizing teams for support: Some churches use their deaconate to organize teams for such things as building and grounds maintenance, supporting community events. 

How do Elders and Deacons Work Together. 

The Bible charges elders with the tasks of teaching and leading the church, deacons’ role is service-oriented. Elders exercise general oversight but are mostly concerned with the spiritual well-being of the congregation. Deacons facilitate ministry by ensuring the practical matters of Church Life are taken care of.

Elder – deacon partnership is vital. The Deacon body cannot effectively serve without coordination with the Elder body. Deacons are geared and gifted to serve. Elders help them by keeping them aware of services, missions, and other efforts so they can take care of the material aspects. 

Much of the material in this lesson comes from Matt Smethurst, Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (Crossway, 2021).