Function and Qualifications of Deacons

Introduction:

Last week in our time together we mentioned that in the pages of scripture we see that church organization wasn't meant to be a complicated system of varying levels of hierarchy. It was set up to have as it’s leadership Pastors (Elders, bishops) and second to that deacons.

We discussed the office of a “bishop” (elder, pastor) in our time together last Sunday. Elders are those who lead the church in the word, prayer and administration. Those are their primary functions.

Today we discuss that second office and it is the office of deacon.

The word “deacon” in its noun and verb forms is used more than 100x’s in the New Testament and almost always refers to a form of service or ministry.

In fact, that is the simple definition of the word deacon, servant.

Every Christian and church member is called to be a servant. But, at the same time, in the early church, we do get glimpses of people who seem to “lead out” in service. These are those whom we refer to as deacons.

Just like much harm has been done to the body of Christ because of misunderstanding regarding the role and qualifications of pastor (elder, bishop) , so too, has much harm been done because of a church’s misunderstandings regarding the function of and qualifications for those who hold the office of a deacon.

If you are not new to being in church, I want you to think for a minute, about what you have traditionally seen or thought deacons to be.

A group of men who sit together in meetings and on platforms and talk poorly about the pastor and boss the church around.

But, that is actually a very unbiblical view of the office.

So, what is the function of a deacon and who is qualified to serve in that office.

To answer that first question, we need to examine Acts 6, and then to answer that second question, we will go to our text in 1 Timothy 3.

1.) Deacon Function. (Acts 6:1-7)

Give the context of this passage regarding the need for these seven men.

From this passage of scripture regarding the election of these first 7 men, who served as the deacons in the first church at Jerusalem we can deduce that there are three primary functions that a deacon is supposed to fill in the life of the church.

A.) Meet needs according to God’s Word (v.1-3)

In fact, this is the primary function of the office of a deacon. As you read Acts 6:1-3 you quickly realize that the need for these men to be appointed was a specific set of circumstances. Someone was needed to oversee the care of the widows in the daily life of the church. So these seven men were elected to oversee this need.

This tells us a lot as to why specific duties of deacons are not listed in scripture, because different needs call for different types of leaders.

In the case of Acts 6, scripture called for the care of the widows, so these seven deacons were appointed in order to carry out God’s command. Just as these men were willing to serve, so to deacons today must be willing to serve in whatever capacity is needed according to God’s word.

Not every need will be directly mentioned in scripture but every need that is met enables us to fulfill a specific command of the Lord.

A deacon who leads in the care of the building and grounds enables the church to obey the biblical command to meet together.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

B.) Support the ministry of the Word. (v.4)

These men in Acts 6 went beyond just filling a need. Because these widows were being neglected in the daily food distribution, the Apostles were were being taken away from their most important responsibilities (prayer and the preaching of the word) and the mission of the church was beginning to suffer.

The appointment of these men, freed up the Apostles availability for the preaching/teaching of the Word.

There is a balance of ministry that must take place in the local church. The church is to be equally devoted to the Word of God and to meeting needs.

We have to have people dedicated to these roles. Therefore, Pastors are dedicated to leading from the Word and deacons are dedicated to leading in the meeting of needs that the Word commands.

Allow me to say it another way, Deacons serve elders in order that the elders may lead and then they lead others so they can serve.

Only 7 men were chosen to meet the need here in Acts 6 but the church at Jerusalem had thousands of people in its membership. There is no way these seven men could meet the needs alone. Surely much of their time was spent organizing others to make sure that the needs were being met.

C.) Unify the body around the Word. (v.5-7)

There was a deeper issue taking place in Acts 6 among the people in the Jerusalem church than just a physical need not being met.

v.1- There arose a complaint between the Hebrews and the Hellenists.

The physical neglect was causing spiritual disunity in the church. SO these men were appointed to squash the tension and disunity before it became a larger problem.

In scripture, deacons labor to promote unity in the body of Christ. They act as a sort of spiritual shock absorber in the church.

This is the antithesis of what deacons often are in churches. Often they are the source of the complaining and disunity instead of the resolvers of it.

2.) Deacon Qualification. (1 Timothy 3:8-12)

Deacons, like Elders, have personal, spiritual, familial obligations and, though these qualifications are similar, they are not alike in every area.

A.) Personal. (v.8)

Reverent- Serious minded, honorable, worthy of respect. He is committed to Christ and the mission of the church.

Not double tongued- This has a two fold meaning. He isn't a gossip and that he doesn't say one thing to a persons face and another behind their back. His ministry will take him from house to house among the people, so he must have integrity in his speech. He must be honest and a speaker of truth.

This speaks to his being one who works to preserve unity.

Proverbs 26:20 NKJV

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Not given to much wine- He is not a drunkard

Not greedy for money- As a part of their duties, deacons will often come into contact with finances. HE must be a man of a trust worthy character who handles money well and will not be tempted to take it for personal gain.

B.) Spiritual. (v.9-10)

Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience

Mystery- is a term that Paul uses throughout his writings and it is used to describe something that was once hidden but has now been revealed.

What is the mystery of faith that Paul is speaking of:

1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

A deacon must have a firm grasp on the Gospel and faith. They must understand what they believe and obey it with a good conscience. The good conscience comes from the fact they not only say they believe it, but they live in such a way that demonstrates that belief.

Understand something, just because a church member may be popular, successful in business, or generous in his giving does not mean that he is qualified to hold the office of deacon. He cannot help to manage the church of God if his life is not based on the Word of God.

2. He must be tested

This refers to a testing of reputation not an actual test or a probationary period of some sort.

Before someone is appointed to the office of deacon, there life must be watched in order to see how they conduct themselves. We put those in the deaconship who already exhibits the attitude of a servant and is already serving. Then we continue to test their life and service to the Lord to be sure they still meet the standard of being a deacon. (Just as we do an elder)

Matthew 25:21 NKJV

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

It weakens the testimony of a church when a man possesses the office before being proven and tested.

“An untested christian is an unprepared Christian and will probably do more harm than good if you give him an office in the church.” Warren Wiersbe

3. Blameless

Just as the elders need live a life that is above the reproach of the world, so too must the deacon. He must not have any spot on his life that can be used as a tool to attack the church.

C.) Familial (v.11-12)

Husband of one wife (v.12a)

This is the same as with elders. HE must be a “one-woman man” who is faithful to his wife in mind and body.

This is a moral character issue and not about marital status. Deacons, like Elders need to be a model of sexual purity.

2. Good managers of their home and children (v.12b)

Like elders, their children must be raised well and in subjection, not rebellious. Also their money, possessions and everything associated with their home life needs to be in good standing. He needs to run his home well.

3. ) Their wives.

The Lord gives a requirement here regarding the wife of a deacon and it’s very interesting. While an elder doesn't necessarily have to be married, it seems here that the deacon does need to be married because the Lord gives these instructions regarding his wife.

As a part of his ministry a deacon may find himself visiting and ministering to women in the church. Because of this, he needs his wife by his side for the sake of being appropriate and remaining blameless.

Because, they will often be doing ministry together, the deacons wife must be as strong in the Lord as he is.

She must be as reverent as hr husband.

As her husband has control of his tongue, so too should she.

As he is to be sober minded, so too is she.

As he is to be trustworthy and faithful, so too should she.

Her qualifications must be part and parcel to her husbands in every way as they serve side by side helping to care for the needs of the Lord’s church.

Conclusion:

v.13 ends our text today by making the promise of reward to the man who serves well as a deacon.

They will obtain a good standing among those to whom they minister.They will become respected and trusted voices in the church.

Their confidence and boldness in Christ will grow stronger and stronger.

Deacons fill a vital role in the life of a church and good deacons are of the utmost priority. Because of this, the church must make every effort to seek qualified men to serve (this is the key word.)

Deacon training. - Bearing all of this in mind, we have a great need in our church for qualified men to serve in this office. On August 28 in our family meeting, I am asking you to turn in names of men in our congregation who meet the biblical qualifications we’ve seen from God’s word this morning. Then, I will go over those names for those who are truly qualified and have a desire to serve. From that list, we will then have deacon training over the next several months, then, before our November family meeting, you will be presented with a list of qualified, tested and trained men from which you will choose three to serve as “servant leaders, deacons” in our church.

Do we have men willing to not be decision makers and rulers, but true servant leaders?