Deacons: What Do They Do?

Introduction

Email:

I am currently looking for a church. And I noticed in your statement of faith that you do not believe that women should have leadership roles within the church and I don’t understand specifically what that means however, you do go on to say that they are allowed to be deaconesses. So I’m a little unclear as to exactly what you mean by leadership. in my opinion, a deaconess would be a type of leader, but I guess my main question is do you allow women to give sermons or preach on a given Sunday or do you allow women to teach and lead in the teaching of scripture and can you give me a more detailed explanation of what you mean so that I can understand thank you and have a blessed day.

Response:

At LCC, we are currently working through a series on church leadership, so it may be helpful for you to check out the recent sermon series on our YouTube channel. Here's the link: (3) Lilburn Christian Church - YouTube.

To answer your question more specifically, yet very briefly, we at LCC understand the Scriptures to teach that only men are to hold the office of eldership and pastors/preachers. As such, women may hold any other office or position in the church, including deacon. The reason why is because we believe that the Bible teaches that deacons are not an authoritative and teaching leadership position of the church. This is the responsibility of the elders. Why we take this to be the case is explained in more detail in last week's sermon (see link, and the sermon "Deacons: Who Are They?" Also, see the two sermons on eldership).

What this also means is that women may teach in certain (and most) contexts but not preach (again, because this is the responsibility of elders and pastors). For example, we have wonderful, qualified women who lead Bible studies, small groups, and even some Sunday school classes. We've also had women lead prayer services before and give some devotional thoughts on Scripture. We have had women missionaries come and speak. They just do not fill the role of elder or pastor/teacher.

I hope this helps some. The issue, as I personally see it and most of our eldership, is not always as black and white as some people believe it to be. As such, we are quite flexible with allowing women to fill as many ministry positions as possible. At the same time, we want to be faithful to what we believe Scripture to teach. As you probably noticed, our position is a little different than many churches—it is not strictly "liberal" or "conservative" (if I may use those terms). The reason why is because we are trying to study and understand the Scriptures correctly rather than toeing some kind of "liberal" or "conservative" line.

The Bible is not a recipe book. It does not cover every single question and situation we may come into contact with. We have to use prayer and wisdom in connection with what we do know the Bible to teach, and then submit to the elders as they make decisions on these topics.

1. Deacons fulfill a Specific Ministry Need (Acts 6:1-2)

Acts 6:1–2 (NASB95)

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

A Need Arose

their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food

Deacons “Serve Tables”

in order to serve tables

2. Deacons fulfill a Physico-spiritual Ministry Need (Acts 6:2, 4, 7)

What we mean by physico-spiritual need: physical and spiritual needs

Acts 6:2 (NASB95)

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

Acts 6:4 (NASB95)

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

When deacons are in place and they are committed to their ministry and do it well, the spreading of the Gospel is done more often, it’s more efficient, and it’s more effective because the elders/pastors/preachers are freed up to do their ministry of the Word.

Spreading of the Gospel

It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God

We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Remind ourselves: elders/pastors/preachers primary responsibility is to shepherd the flock by preaching and teachin the Word of God

This is of utmost important. This is THE mission of the church: evangelism and making disciples.

But there are many needs that arise in a local congregation that need to be met. And if the elders and pastors involve themselves in all of these, then the teaching and preaching of God’s Word will be neglected. But this cannot be. The ministry of the Word cannot be neglected.

In order, then, to alleviate this tension and possible neglect of teaching and ministering, deacons are appointed to help the elders/pastors in taking the lead in serving/ministering to the members of the church.

Note in Acts 6:7 the result of appointing deacons to oversee specific ministry tasks in the church:

Acts 6:7 (NASB95)

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

The Word of God spread, numerous disciples were made (increased greatly) and in Jerusalem.

Illustration: Moses

Exodus 18:14–23 (NASB95)

Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. “When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. “Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. “Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

Sometimes we hear that deacons are meeting merely physical needs while the elders/pastors meet spiritual needs. But is not really the case. In the Christian and biblical view, spiritual needs are also met through physical needs as well:

Spiritual Needs Met through Physical Needs

It is easy to think of our bodies and souls as completely separate entities or not related, or one as being superior to the other. But we get a different picture in the Bible.

God cares for the whole person—both body and soul. And the two are intimately related.

“The physical human frame as created was designed for interaction with the spiritual realm and that this interaction can be resumed at the initiative of God.” [Dallas Willard, Spirit of the Disciplines, 77]

illustration

When the hungry are ministered to with food, it also enables the soul to be more at peace and the mind to think.

When there is a deacon who oversees the maintenance of the church grounds and buildings, this has a spiritual influence or connection as well: (1) we are fulfilling the cultural mandate from Genesis 2. (2) It eliminates possible obstacles for others to hear the Gospel (who wants to come to a church with a weed-invested parking lot and dirty bathrooms and facilities?).

3. Deacons Lead the Ministry Need (Acts 6:3, 5-6)

Acts 6:3 (NASB95)

“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Put “In Charge”

“Charge” = set in place, set in order, appoint

NLT: “And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.”

AMP: “Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.”

This does not necessarily mean they are directly involved with every single ministry the oversee. Rather, they are charged with the responsibility to ensure that the specific ministry is accomplished and done well. It can even be multiple ministries.

Note, however, that these deacons, or servants, had to meet requirements and be receive approval to serve.

Congregational Approval

Acts 6:5–6 (NASB95)

The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Recall from last week that we saw that Paul gave a list of character traits to Timothy for deacons:

1 Timothy 3:8–9 “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

But also had to be tested to make sure they are people of integrity and faith:

1 Timothy 3:10 “These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

Specifically how deacon candidates are to be tested and receive congregational approval is not directly given to us in Scripture. Different churches do it different ways.

The eldership of LCC has decided to do it in a similar way as how elders are chosen. First, pray. Then discuss among themselves who might meet the qualifications and do a good job overseeing specific ministries. Then, once they have asked particular people to consider serving and they agree to serve, then the congregation will provide individually whether they approve or disapprove of the candidate (usually by vote/ballot).

4. Application

Deacons are the Official Ministers of Mercy

Just as the seven in Acts 6 were the church’s ministers of mercy who took care of the Hellenistic Jewish widows, so should the deacons we appoint be first and foremost ministers of mercy.

This does not mean that this the only thing they are to do. As already mentioned, they can and do others ministries as well. But the ministries that are to be the highest on the priority list are those that take care of the needs of our people.

We are speaking here of benevolent type of ministries, helping widows and widowers, single mothers or fathers, those in financial need, meal trains, prayer teams

Deacons Aid in the Advancement of the Gospel

Reflecting on Acts 6, Alexander Strauch comments:

“The Gospel’s advancement was intimately connected with solving the poor widows’ problems. The Gospel had to go forward to the ends of the earth, but at the same time needy members of the Christian community had to be supported or the gospel message would lose credibility. Immediately after Luke records the appointment of the Seven to care for poor widows, he writes, “And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem (Acts 6:7).”

[Alexander Strauch, Min of Mercy, 34]

Deacons are Not the Only Ones Who Minister

As we discussed last week, all of us are to minister. Deacons do not replace what many of us are already doing. They are an addition to what we are already doing. They provide organization and help to coordinate ministries so that we can take care of those in need among us.

The key here is that deacons oversee and direct specific ministries. They support the elders/pastors of the church by freeing them up so they can accomplish the ministry of the Word and shepherding.

By serving in this capacity, deacons also help plug everyone of us into at least one ministry. They help identify people’s gifts and where needs are.

Slide illustration: What this might look like at LCC.