The Office of a Deacon

Background Scripture: Acts 6; 1 Timothy 3
Lesson Scripture: Acts 6:1–6; 1 Timothy 3:8–13

Introduction

God has always been very attentive to the temporal needs of His children. The Old Testament is full of miraculous examples of His providence, including Hagar’s spring in the desert, water from the rock and manna from heaven for the children of Israel, and God’s care for Elijah with the ravens’ bread and the widow’s meal and oil. The fatherless and the widows of Israel are often mentioned. In the New Testament, God has ordained the office of the deacon to serve these needs in His church.

Key Verse

Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you (Deut. 1:13).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The seven brethren ordained in Acts 6 are not called deacons in the Scripture. However, their appointed work and the practice of the New Testament church clearly establish the solid, scriptural foundation of their office. The apostles presented a notable contrast to the people. The ministers were to give themselves “to prayer, and to the ministry of the word,” and the deacons were to “serve tables.” However, it is apparent that God had much more in mind for them than serving tables; He was not merely organizing a mundane or administrative task. He made it clear that those who were chosen should be “men of honest report” and “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.”

It is noteworthy that the few references in the New Testament about these men highlight their labors in spiritual matters rather than their service to the widows and the poor. Both Stephen and Philip were evangelists and performed miracles. Stephen’s message to the Sanhedrin is an outstanding witness of the Holy Spirit’s power in his gift. Philip explained the Scriptures to the Ethiopian and baptized him upon his confession of faith.

That ministers and deacons worked together in the early church is manifested by Paul’s greeting to the church at Philippi, “with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). The deacon’s qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 closely parallel those of a minister. One additional point is raised: “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” Deacons have the unique challenge of working with earthly things in a spiritual way, both in their own hearts and with those they are trying to help. Sometimes that is indeed a mystery. This scripture includes specific qualifications for the deacon’s wife. The deacon and his wife may often have knowledge of sensitive personal matters which, if not handled with gravity, sobriety, and in strict confidence, can result in damaging and hurtful consequences.

Practical Truths for Today

We err if a man with a deacon’s heart who is filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom is overlooked for the office because he is poor. In fact, it is sometimes said, “We need a poor deacon.” That is likely a cry for one who can sit where they sit with compassion and understanding. To distribute to the worthy poor is a blessing that can be cheerfully shared by many and is a pleasant responsibility of the deacon. To help those who because of poor and unwise stewardship are in critical financial circumstances requires godly wisdom, humility, patience, and charity. God probably never intended deacons to be financial advisers to the rich, although when the rich are admonished to remember to communicate, that probably means with the deacon. If those with means labor together with spiritual deacons, much good can be accomplished in the church.

The needs of the widows and singles should always be close to the deacon’s heart. Leaky roofs and faucets, car repairs, trees that need to be trimmed, and unexpected medical bills can loom large for those who are alone. It is impossible for the deacon to meet all these needs himself. Sometimes there are meals to be served, guests to lodge, or someone who needs a ride to the airport, and the deacon needs a congregation of cheerful givers with willing hands. The heart of the deacon is blessed by this support from his congregation.

Article 9 of the Eighteen Articles of Faith states that “honorable aged widows should be chosen and ordained deaconesses, that they with the deacons may visit, comfort, and care for the poor, feeble, sick, sorrowing and needy, as also the widows and orphans.” The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, has never ordained deaconesses. It is clear, though, that the duties of the deacon are not only for him and his wife to carry out. There is much that can be done quietly to help the deacon in his work, and both the donor and receiver are blessed. A gift card for gas, money for food in a hospital cafeteria, a pan of rolls or something else when there is illness or someone’s house is full of guests, a crisp bill in a Christmas card, a day helping a brother or sister or neighbor—all this is deacon’s work that can be done by anyone.

Someone who is able to take care of the temporal needs of the church is likely quite capable of handling his own affairs too. It is important that the deacon is an example of stewardship and moderation that his people can safely follow. Part of “the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” is that the deacon’s lifestyle, possessions, and financial operation do not cast a shadow on his office or his counsel and do not hinder the poor from coming to him for help. His house should be of such modesty and simplicity that anyone can feel at home there and that confidence in him or his wife is not eroded.

The deacon’s office was initiated so the preaching of the Word would not be hindered. This may be his first duty. Aaron and Hur held up Moses’s hands in the battle with Amalek, and deacons are called to hold up the hands of their ministers. “A deacon should have a friendly inquisitiveness; as he probes his ministers’ needs and conditions with genuine concern, such inquisitiveness will seldom be interpreted as idle curiosity. Likewise, as the minister voluntarily discloses his need to his deacon, it will seldom be felt as demanding.” 1 When the minister must be away from home, particularly if he has a young family, an attentive deacon can be a great comfort to the minister and his wife.

There may be those in the congregation who are more ready to tell the deacon than the minister about their concerns. A wise deacon will share those things with his minister. Deacons often think in practical terms, and a minister’s convictions and concerns are strengthened by the solid support of his deacon, together with his practical counsel on how to implement those concerns.

Deacons are sometimes called to preach the Word and should be willing to do so. Not all are “preaching deacons,” but when God blesses them with inspiration that is genuine and warm, and when it is shared according to their gift, it feeds the congregation. Deacons can use these and other occasions to teach about stewardship, industry, economy, faithful tithing, and certainly that it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

One frustration deacons sometimes face is that when those in financial trouble finally come for help, it is too late for simple solutions. Some conditions seem almost hopeless with few, if any, good options. The congregation should not resent or resist the deacon’s tactful interest in their affairs when he senses that things are not going well. God also blesses those who humble themselves and go to their deacon, honestly opening their situation to him. It is very necessary that they receive and follow his counsel, and in so doing, many have found answers to their problems and better direction for their life.

Paul teaches that deacons “first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon.” This suggests that God through His church does not call someone to be a deacon as much as He chooses someone who is already a deacon. It would be impossible to calculate the contribution deacons have made to the homes and congregations of God’s church through the ages. May God richly bless them, and may He continue to bless His church with faithful deacons.

Questions

1. John Holdeman ordained 43 ministers and only six deacons. Today, that ratio is much more even. What has changed?
2. Why are deacons often a little older than ministers when they are ordained?
3. Are the deacons’ wives the deaconesses of the church today, or do other sisters also perform those duties?
4. How can the congregation better support their deacons?
5. 1 Ministerial Reflections, Gospel Publishers, Second edition, pp. 120–121
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).