What Is A Deacon, and What Do They Do?
Deacons are servants and shock absorbers - called and set apart (ordained) to serve the local church body.
SERVANTS
Elders "superintend or preside over the affairs of the church" (1 Timothy 5:17). Deacons are the body that supports that direction. In our churches, elders make spiritual and directional decisions, while deacons facilitate congregational involvement to make that vision a reality.
SHOCK-ABSORBERS
God has always intended to display His glory to the nations, partly through the unity of the Jews and Gentiles within the church. (Ephesians 3:10) Yet, it was precisely at this juncture that disunity was erupting in the early Jerusalem church.
The Greek-speaking Jews began to complain against the Hebrew-speaking Jews concerning food distribution. The church, therefore, chose seven men to distribute the food equitably. More importantly, the church chose them to restore unity where there was division. Unity-building was their primary goal; good administration was the means.
Deacons should protect unity in the church. They should strive fervently to prevent gossip and help encourage biblical, Christ-exalting communication.
DEACON QUALIFICATIONS
Paul identifies nine qualifications for the office of deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
8. Husband of One Wife. (v.12)
9. Manage Children and Household Well. (v.12)
DEACON NOMINATIONS
FBCW needs men who commit to following Christ's example daily and meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. These men must have been church members for at least one year and actively serve in at least one ministry area.
Elders "superintend or preside over the affairs of the church" (1 Timothy 5:17). Deacons are the body that supports that direction. In our churches, elders make spiritual and directional decisions, while deacons facilitate congregational involvement to make that vision a reality.
- SERVICE: Assist in meeting the needs of widows and widowers, hospital visitation, and visitor outreach.
- LEADERSHIP: Help connect and support church ministries to those in need.
- SPECIAL DUTIES: Response prayer partner to those in the church body. Distribute Lord's Supper. Collect our church offering. Fill occasional empty teaching positions.
SHOCK-ABSORBERS
God has always intended to display His glory to the nations, partly through the unity of the Jews and Gentiles within the church. (Ephesians 3:10) Yet, it was precisely at this juncture that disunity was erupting in the early Jerusalem church.
The Greek-speaking Jews began to complain against the Hebrew-speaking Jews concerning food distribution. The church, therefore, chose seven men to distribute the food equitably. More importantly, the church chose them to restore unity where there was division. Unity-building was their primary goal; good administration was the means.
Deacons should protect unity in the church. They should strive fervently to prevent gossip and help encourage biblical, Christ-exalting communication.
DEACON QUALIFICATIONS
Paul identifies nine qualifications for the office of deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
- Dignified. (v.8) - Respectable.
- Not Double-Tongued. (v.8) - They are trustworthy, honest and reliable.
- Not Addicted To Much Wine. (v.8)—Addiction to wine or other strong drinks disqualifies a man for the office of deacon. This would indicate a lack of self-control.
- Not Greedy For Dishonest Gain. (v.8)
- Sound In Faith and Life. (v.9) " The mystery of the faith" refers to the gospel and how a believer's life should reveal it. Consequently, a deacon's behavior must be consistent with the gospel.
- Blameless. (v.10) - Paul writes that deacons must be "tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless." A deacon must have a good overall character.
- Have A Godly Wife. (v.11) - According to Paul, deacon's wives must "be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things."
8. Husband of One Wife. (v.12)
9. Manage Children and Household Well. (v.12)
DEACON NOMINATIONS
FBCW needs men who commit to following Christ's example daily and meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. These men must have been church members for at least one year and actively serve in at least one ministry area.