What Deacons Must Be

Tonight, we will focus in on a study of 1 Timothy 3, where we find the qualifications for deacons.

We spent the first two weeks studying Acts 6:1-6 that establishes the pattern for what a deacon must do.

We will now focus on 1 Timothy 3 is learn who a deacon must be.

Consider the purpose statement of the chapter and the whole book:

1 Timothy 3:14–15 ESV

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

The reason Paul writes the book of 1 Timothy is so that we may know how one ought to behave in the household of God.

How are we to behave as a church in such a way that honors the living God, as a pillar and buttress of His truth?

Chapter 3 shows us that one way we behave rightly as God’s church is by identifying, calling, installing, and honoring those who are called to the two offices of the church: the office of the pastor-elder and the deacon.

Notice that verses 1-7 address the qualifications for the pastor-elder, then verses 8-13 address the qualifications for the deacon.

1 Timothy 3:8–13 ESV

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

It is surprising that Paul spends no time focused on what deacons are able to do. Instead, all of the qualifications focus only on who deacons must be.

While it is not wrong for a Deacon to possess a certain skill that will serve the church well, no skills provide the qualification for holding the office of Deacon.

The qualifications divide into 3 negatives and three positives with one characteristic flying like a banner over the whole list.

1. Dignified - Worthy Of Respect

The idea of being dignified and worthy of respect flies over all the other characteristics like a banner.

Just as the church should be able to point to its pastor-elders and say, “There is an example of a Christian servant leader!”

The church should be able to point to its deacons and say, “There is an example of a Christian leading servant!”

Notice: this does not mean that deacons must be perfect. It only signifies that they must be humble, repentant, and examples to the flock.

2. Not Double-Tongued or Devious In Speech

Qualified deacons strive to control their tongues.

Because deacons are in the business of serving, they will have countless interactions with people.

And these interactions won't always be only with the easiest people to get along with. Deacons will often be confronted with sufferers and strugglers, some of whom will be disgruntled and prone to complaining.

Deacons must guard their tongues from disclosing information that the person being served either should not know or simply does not need to know.

Example: yeah, pastor Jason can be like that sometimes. Just between us, it's a big struggle even for some of us deacons.

Deacons must guard their ears from being party to gossip or slander against church leaders or fellow members.

Example: oh really? She said that? I was suspicious already, but I'll definitely keep my distance now!

Deacons must guard their tongues from gossip or slander as they recount conversations or information to others. It's difficult, after hearing something sensitive or juicy, not to pass it along. Perhaps it would be couched as a prayer request.

Example: bless his heart, we really need to pray for Earl. He still can't seem to get it together.

Being double tongued is not a minor flaw or personality quirk, it is a symptom of hypocritical pride.

It is consciously saying one thing to one group and then saying or insinuating something else to a different group.

A double tongue indicates fear of man, and a Deacon driven by fear of man can destroy a whole church.

Deacons must also guard themselves from flattery.

Flattery is saying something to someone's face and saying something different behind their back.

Whereas gossip is saying behind someone's back what you wouldn't say to their face.

A qualified Deacon studiously avoids both.

But to the extent that a Deacon lives to please people, this will prove impossible, for only the fear of God can drive out the fear of man.

Satan will do anything he can to gain a foothold in his enemy's home.

A mature Deacon won't use words to crack the door.

3. Not Addicted To Much Wine

Not only are deacons to be self controlled in their speech, they are also to be self controlled in their appetites.

This standard prohibits drunkenness and also challenges anything that would enslave the deacon's heart or impair his judgment.

It is possible that Paul included this qualification since the nature of diaconal work would at times include bringing wine to the sick for medicinal reasons (1 Timothy 5:23), but whatever the purpose the principle is plain: qualified deacons will not indulge cravings or abuse substances that would hinder their work or their witness.

4. Not Greedy For Dishonest Gain

Deacons carrying out the biblical mandate will control their speech, their appetites, and also their wallets.

While these virtues mark any mature believer, the specific nature of diaconal work will sometimes put deacons in contact with church money.

So Paul warns against installing anyone known for being deceptive, cutting moral corners, or obsessing over money.

A worldly, materialistic person will struggle with greed, which will in turn fuel toward dishonest gain.

This should be an area, then, where a Deacon displays unimpeachable self-control.

5. Holds The Mystery Of The Faith With A Clear Conscience

It can be tempting to assume that because deacons have a practical focus to their work, they don't need to know much doctrine.

One might think: Deacon work is handwork, not head work.

This is not true according to scripture.

It's true that the primary responsibility for teaching and governing falls to the church's pastor elders, and the roles of the elders and deacons must not be confused, but deacons are not exempt from knowing their bibles.

In fact, they will often be in situations where they will have opportunity to speak biblical truth.

The question, then, is not whether deacons will be theologians, it's whether they will be good ones.

When Paul uses the word mystery, as he often does, he he is not referring to a genre of Roman novels.

He's referring to divine truth that was once hidden and has now revealed.

He's referring to the content of the gospel and Christian doctrine.

Notice that this brief qualification actually demands three things of potential deacons:

A. They must know the faith. A qualified Deacon will be eager to grow in a clear understanding of God, humanity, Christ, salvation, and so on. This doesn't mean that a Deacon must be the biggest reader in the church, but it does mean he'll be hungry to learn the things of God.

B. They must hold the faith. Whatever truth the Deacon grasped with his mind, he must cling to with his heart. Anyone embarrassed by biblical truths that collide with current cultural trends is not yet qualified to serve as a Deacon. God's word is precious. Look for those who embrace it with humble gladness.

C. They must live the faith. It is not enough to know and to hold what's true. Paul also insists that a deacon's conscience must be clear. This refers back to previous qualifications, of course, since hypocrisy, whether expressed in duplicitous speech, secret additions, or dishonest prophets, will slowly shatter a clear conscience. A Deacons with a clear conscience will be a person of moral integrity and courage. A Deacon with a healthy conscience will keep short accounts with God through genuine, ongoing confession and repentance.

6. Tested and Proven Blameless

What should a process of testing look like? How long should it last?

We are not told specifically in scripture.

Individual churches must exercise wisdom and prayerful discernment. What is non-negotiable, however, is that there should be a season of testing.

The ideal Deacon candidate will be an obvious choice by the time they are recommended to be a Deacon, because they have already proven themselves to be a servant to the congregation before ever having a title.

An example process:

Elders keep an eye out for deacon-qualified candidates in light of specific diaconal needs.

Elders always welcome, and periodically solicit, deacon recommendations from the congregation.

Elders select a candidate and send a questionnaire (see below)

Assuming the candidate’s willingness and the elders’ continued confidence in the choice, they nominate the candidate to the congregation at a business meeting.

The congregation is given a month to privately ask questions and get to know the candidate, if desired.

At the next month’s member meeting, the congregation votes on whether to appoint the candidate to the office.

Deacon Questionnaire:

How long have you been a Christian? Give a brief account of your conversion.

Do you desire to be a deacon?

Do you think you have the experience and skills necessary to do the work for which the elders are considering nominating you?

If you are married, what does your spouse think about you serving as a deacon?

In what areas of service have you been involved in the life of the church?

Looking at 1 Timothy 3:8-13, do you think you meet the qualifications Paul lays out there for deacons?

Are you dignified? What do you think that means?

Are you double-tongued? What do you think that means?

Do you think you’re marked by greed?

Do you “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience”? In other words, do you sincerely and solidly believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Do you think you’ve been tested in the life of the church? How? How do you think the “test” has gone?

Do you have a tendency to slander others, to speak ill of them in private, to gossip?

Are you sober-minded, able to “keep your head” in difficult situations? One of the most important roles of deacons is to be “shock absorbers” in the life of the church. Can you do that well?

Are you faithful? Are you able to take responsibility for things and get them done in a timely fashion? How much of a procrastinator are you?

If you’re married, how do you think you’re doing in your role as husband/wife? As father/mother?

Read 1 Timothy 3:13. What do you think it will mean in your particular situation to “serve well as a deacon”? How do you think serving well as a deacon will increase your confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus?

Do you use social media of any kind? How do you think Paul’s description of a deacon applies to how a deacon, in particular, should engage social media?

Have you read our church bylaws? Do you have any questions about the way our church functions? Will you be happy to abide by that constitution and defend and explain it to other members when necessary?

7. Faithful Family Life

Paul's final requirement is that a deacon's godliness must begin with his closest relationships.

If a man is married, he must love his wife and be faithful to her alone, a one-woman man.

Your church can always get another Deacon, but a deacon's wife can't get another husband.

Serving one’s spouse is the ultimate training ground for serving the Saints.

If the Deacon has children, he must raise them in an atmosphere of gentle firmness and joyful love, establishing not only the beliefs but the morale of his home.

In a word, he must manage his family with deliberateness and diligence, thereby training his heart to serve the church in the same manner.

The apostle could not be clearer: there is no such thing as a good Deacon who is a lousy husband or dad.

Being a good family man is not a bonus in considering someone for the diaconate. It is a prerequisite.

A Promise For The Deacon

The role of the Deacon can sometimes be considered grunt work and behind the scenes. What will give a Deacon encouragement to persevere in their ministry even times when they are tired or discouraged?

Consider the promise from God:

1 Timothy 3:13 ESV

13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

A faithful Deacon will receive two gifts in increasing measure: respect from others and great confidence in the faith.

The first comes horizontally from the church. The other descends vertically from God.

Given the lowly shape of diaconal work, this promise of respect is particularly beautiful.

Though the call to Deacon service is not glamorous, the reward is glorious.

The Deacon should always have close to their heart:

Galatians 6:9 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Christ has given us great dignity and honor as his children and as his servants.

We are all called to outdo one another in showing honor to one another.

This certainly applies to servants of Christ who hold the office of Deacon.

What ways can you show your support and appreciation to people in the church you see going above and beyond in service?

In light of the promise of gaining great confidence in the faith, the more we draw near to God in humble and intimate relationship and service, the more He draws near to us in peace and assurance.

Just like I preached Sunday: being a faithful servant in community does not gain you a right standing before God, only Christ and His gospel does that.

But, being a faithful servant in community does grow your confidence in Christ, in your faith in Him, and in your assurance of your salvation.

(Missions Night Next Wednesday)

(Go pick up your kids)

(Help with tables and chairs.)