Question: "What are the responsibilities of deacons in the church?"

Answer: In the New Testament, the word usually translated "serve" is the Greek word diakoneo, which literally means "through the dirt." It refers to an attendant, a waiter, or one who ministers to another. From this word we get the English word “deacon.” We first see the word "deacon" used this way in the book of Acts. “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (Acts 6:2). The men who were giving themselves to feeding the flock by preaching and teaching realized that it wasn’t right for them to leave those activities to wait tables, so they found some other men who were willing to serve, and put them in place to minister to the church’s physical needs while the elders or pastors ministered to their spiritual needs. It was a better use of the resources they were given, and a better use of everyone’s gifts. It also got more people involved in serving and helping one another.

Today, for the biblical church, these roles are essentially the same. Elders and pastors are to “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2), and deacons are to be appointed to take care of everything else. In a modern church, this might include taking on administrative or organizational tasks, ushering, being responsible for building maintenance, or volunteering to be the church treasurer. It depends on the need and the gifts of the available men.

The responsibilities of a deacon are not clearly listed or outlined; they are assumed to be everything that does not include the duties of an elder or pastor, which is to preach, teach, and exhort. But qualifications for a deacon’s character are clearly outlined in Scripture. They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, a good household manager, respectable, honest, not addicted to alcohol and not greedy (1 Timothy 3:8-12). According to the Word, the office of deacon is an honor and a blessing. “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” (1 Timothy 3:13).

The Biblical Role of Deacons

by Derek Gentle

New Testament Deacons serve the Lord by conducting the caring ministry of the church-doing the benevolence work, visiting the sick, being alert to the spiritual needs of the congregation-for the purposes of freeing the pastoral staff to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, promoting unity within the church, and facilitating the spread of the gospel.

Biblical Guidance on the Office of Deacon

Deacons and Elders Are the Two Distinct Offices in a New Testament Church
The two New Testament offices are mentioned together in Philippians 1:1 and in 1st Timothy 3 — bishops and deacons. In 1st Timothy 3 the qualifications are spelled out for the two offices, bishops in verses 1-7, and deacons in verse 8-13. The qualifications are similar, but not identical. For example, the bishop is required to be “able to teach” whereas the deacon does not have that expectation. The differences in title and qualifications mean that the offices are distinct.

The term “bishop” is translated overseer in some translations. It is the word from which we get our word “episcopal” which means, “to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for” and refers to “the care of the church which rested upon the elders.” The term is used interchangeably with “elder” and “shepherd” (i.e. pastor) in Acts 20 and 1st Peter 5. There is no question about the authority of the office: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1st Timothy 5:17 NKJV)

Three facts stand out:
1. Deacons and Elders are the offices in the church. The offices are distinct. Elders are not deacons. Deacons are not elders.
2. The terms, Elder, Pastor (shepherd), and Overseer (bishop) are used synonymously in the New Testament.
3. In the New Testament, elders had the role of the general oversight of the church.

In the original language, the word, Deacon, means Servant
The title itself, is as descriptive as any job description could be. In the Bible, words have meanings and the word "deacon" means servant. Here is how the word has been defined in its various forms:

"Diakoneo and its derivatives, as their etymology suggests, are used mainly for personal help to others."

"Diakonia is found 34 times in the NT. It means service at the table in Lk. 10:40; Acts 6:1, etc."

"Diakanos is found 29 times in the NT. Its primary meaning is one who serves at tables."

("Serve, Deacon, Worship" in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Colin Brown, ed., volume 3, pages 544, 546)

"In Philippians 1:1 and in numerous references in early Christian literature outside the New Testament, bishops and/or elders and deacons are mentioned together, with deacons mentioned last. Because of this order, and because of the natural connotations of the word diakonos, most interpreters believe that deacons, from the beginning, served as assistants of church leaders."

(Deacon, Deaconess, Fred A. Grissom, Holman Bible Dictionary, Holman, 1991)

The Office of Deacon Was Created for the Purpose of Handling the Benevolence Ministry
The Biblical account is quite clear on the founding of the deaconship and nowhere does Scripture repeal the original purpose:

“NOW ABOUT this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief). So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, ‘It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character a nd repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.’” Acts 6:1-3 (Amplified)

The Office of Deacon Was Established to Free the Apostles (who functioned as the first pastors) to Pray and to Prepare to Minister the Word
The Apostles, in dealing with the benevolence ministry problem at the Jerusalem church, told the congregation that,
"It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:2-4 (NKJV)

Some have understood this passage to mean that it is the role of deacons to oversee the business of the church. First, the text says, “this business,” not “the business” — and the business being referred to is the business of benevolence. Second, as Dr. Robert Naylor points out, that would be a misrepresentation of the meaning of the word:

“The word ‘business’ should be discussed a little to prevent any misunderstanding. The Greek word is chreia and basically means ‘need.’ It is so translated twenty-five times. This is the only place it is translated ‘business.’ Hence there is no Scriptural authority for the deacons to make financial decisions of the church. Church decisions must remain church decisions.”

The Early Deacons Were Selected for Their Spiritual Qualifications
1st Timothy 3 and Acts 6 expound the qualifications for the office of deacons; the later contains what could fairly be called the "core qualifications":

"Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" -- Acts 6:3

"And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" -- Acts 6:5

Often, when someone is discussed as a possible deacon one hears a remark such as, "He attends regularly and is a good giver." But God is looking at men with an internal dynamic, which cannot be determined in a superficial way.

Deacons Are to Be Capable of Serving the Lord in Spiritual Ways
The original seven deacons were people who were able to serve the Lord in ways which were more spiritual in nature than merely delivering food. Stephen was a man of spiritual power: "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8 NJKV). Philip was not only a deacon, but also was gifted in evangelism (Acts 8:5-7).

The Office of Deacon Requires a Firm Grasp of Sound Doctrine
A church is content oriented. It is a doctrinally driven community, built upon truth. Every member should have this approach in this fellowship; leaders such as deacons, not less but, more so. "They must possess the mystic secret of the faith [Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men] with a clear conscience" Acts 6:9 (Amplified)

The Presence of Deacons Should Advance the Unity of a Church
When the Apostles laid out the plan for the creation of this office, "The saying pleased the whole multitude" (Acts 6:5 NKJV). The complaints about the benevolence ministry stopped. And the complaints were by the Greek speaking Jews, the Hebrew speaking Jews obviously bent over backwards to preserve the church's unity, for all the men selected had Greek names. It is still true today: Any time a church has deacons who are properly doing their jobs, the church is more likely to be at unity.

The Presence of Deacons Should Advance the Cause of Evangelism
The immediate impact of the creation of the office of deacon was to eliminate the controversy in the church and to get the church back on course in fulfilling its mission. The Bible says that, "Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:8 NKJV). Again, it is still true. When a church has deacons who are in God's will, the cause of world evangelization will be aided.

The Biblical Pattern for Deacons Seen in Church History

In the second through fifth centuries, deacons were the real agents of the charity provided through the church, providing for widows and orphans. They visited the sick and, as early as the third century, had deacon family ministry plans. They visited the martyrs in prison. Deacons helped to train new converts. They kept watch over the church members, reporting to the bishop any who seemed about to fall away. They attempted to restore the excommunicated. Deacons carried out administrative assignments given them by their bishops and met daily to receive instructions from him. Failure to carry out their assignments was cause for removal. If they had the authority from a bishop and a presbyter or bishop were present, they could baptize. They also assisted with the Lord's Supper. (Compiled from Charles W. Deweese, The Emerging Role of Deacons, Broadman Press, 1979, pages 12-15)

During the Middle Ages the Office of Deacon came to less resemble the New Testament Model

"Later, medieval deacons assumed an increasingly ecclesiastical role, and their tendency to become candidates for the priesthood became more pronounced than ever. Almost no one was ordained to the diaconate unless he intended to advance to the priesthood."
(Deweese, Page 18)

During the Reformation the Return to Scripture Resulted in a Return to the Biblical Role of Deacons

Martin Luther:

"The diaconate is the ministry, not of reading the Gospel or the Epistle, as is the present practice, but of distributing the church's aid to the poor"

John Calvin:

"Scripture specifically designates as deacons those whom the church has appointed to distribute alms and take care of the poor, and serve as stewards of the common chest for the poor."

Again, Calvin:
"Here, then, is the kind of deacons the apostolic church had, and which we, after their example should have."
(Deweese, page 19)

Timothy George summarizies Calvins' view of the biblical role of deacons:

"Calvin did in fact hold the office of deacon in high esteem. Deacons were public officers in the church entrusted with the care of the poor. He urged that they be skilled in the Christian faith since, in the course of their ministry, ‘they will often have to give advice and comfort.' Indeed, the deacons in Calvin's Geneva should have experts in what we call today social work as well as pastoral care."

(Theology of the Reformers, Broadman Press, 1988, page 241)

In the early 1600's early Baptists such as John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, saw the primary role of deacons as that of carrying out the benevolence ministry of the church.

In 1654, in what would become an often repeated description, Thomas Collier pictured the work of deacons as that of serving tables: the table of the Lord, the table of the minister, and the table of the poor (Deweese, page 20). Later Southern Baptist leaders would later utilize this description to describe the work of the deacon. Southwestern Seminary founding president B.H. Carroll recalled hearing a sermon delivered by S. S. Lattimore with this very outline and stated that he "thought it a very ingenious division of the table question" (Commentary on the English Bible, Volume IV, page 135). As recently as 1997, former SBC president Jim Henry used this outline as part of his materials in Deacons: Partners in Ministry and Growth.

The Drift Among Baptists From the Biblical Model

"In the later half of the eighteenth century, a new concept of Baptist deacons emerged and continues to exist in many churches today. This was the view of deacons as church business managers. This view stressed to a seemingly excessive degree the administrative function of deacons and tended to distract from other areas of service previously given equally strong attention"

(Charles W. Deweese, The Emerging Role of Deacons, Broadman Press, 1979, page 34).

The drift started as an effort to "Relieve the minister from the secular concerns of the church" (a treatise on church discipline, Charleston Association, S.C., 1774 cited by Deweese).

But by 1846, R. B. C. Howell was using new terminology, saying that deacons are, "A board of directors, and have charge of the all the secular affairs in the kingdom of Christ" (The Deaconship, Judson Press, page 11). "...The deacons in their own peculiar department are, as we have said, a BOARD OF OFFICERS, or the executive board of the church, for her temporal department..." (Pages 112-113). This is when and how in Baptist life deacons came to be called a board. This term has no bibical rooting in word or concept.

Howell regarded the spiritual ministry of the pastor and the temporal ministry of the deacon as separate areas, or departments: "...The pastor has supervision of all the spiritualities of the church, and is therefore bishop or overseer in that department; so the deacons are overseers of all her temporalities, of which they have full control" page 12). He stated, however, that, "It is not, lastly, the duty of deacons to rule in the church" (page 66), explaining that, "Deacons are not ruling elders" (page 69).

There were those, at the time, who saw this trend as a cause of concern. In 1852, one New York pastor/historian warned against the concept of the deacon as being a person, "Of so much importance and ecclesiastical consequence in the Church, that all the membership, and all the affairs in the Church, and the Pastor, must be dictated, and ruled and governed by him." In 1897, Edwin C. Dargan, professor of homiletics and ecclesiology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, warned of the tendency of deacons to act as "a sort of ruling presbytery" (both quotes cited by Deweese, pages 47-48)

How to Know if Your Church is Off Track

Howard Foshee listed three evidences that deacons are operating under the concept of a board:

(1) When all major recommendations from church operations and church committees are screened by the deacons whether they should go to the congregation.

(2) When the pastor and staff members are directly responsible to the deacons rather than to the church.

(3) When the use or expenditure of major church resources, such as facilities and fiances, must first be approved by the deacons.

(The Ministry of the Deacon, Howard B. Foshee, Convention Press, 1968, page 33)

How Baptists Began to Return to the Biblical Concept of Deaconship

Beginning subtlety in the 1950's and intensifying in the 1970's there were repeated rejections of the concept of deaconship which began in the 1800's. Robert E. Naylor, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, warned in 1955 that:

"There are churches where deacons have appropriated to themselves authority which is contrary to New Testament teaching. It may have gone so far that bossism has developed. There is a 'board' complex and a general feeling that deacons are 'directors' of the church. Nothing could be farther from the Baptist genius or the New Testament plan. Anywhere this condition exists, there inevitably are those who say that deacons are not needed. The truth is that such deacons as this... are not needed in churches"

(Robert E. Naylor, The Baptist Deacon, Broadman Press, 1955, pages 3-4).

In the 1970's, Howard Foshee was firmly rejecting the terminology of the period; he recounted,

"The unfortunate term, 'board of deacons' arose. The phrase is foreign to the way Baptists should work together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. A Baptist congregation makes corporate decisions as each member seeks to vote his conviction under the leadership of the Lord."

(Howard B. Foshee, Now That You're a Deacon, Broadman Press, 1975, Page 13)

Describing the role of the original seven deacons, Wayne Dehoney wrote,

"The first responsibility of these men was to assist the pastors in the spiritual ministry of shepherding and caring for the flock and to free the pastors for the ministry of prayer, preaching, and training. Actually, these seven were selected to be 'under-shepherds' of the flock."

(Church Administration Magazine, November, 1959,cited by Foshee)

In Foshee's chapter, Understand Your Work as Deacon, his subtitles include, Deacon Work Originated to Meet Spiritual Needs and Deacons Should Organize for Ministry.

It was during this period that various "Deacon Family Ministry" materials were made available by the Sunday School Board and became popular.

By the 1990's, it was a decided issue in denominational publications and among Baptist leaders. In 1991 Jerry Songer wrote that, "The board of deacons and business manager concept is no longer a viable model" (Deacons Leading with Pastor and Staff, Deacons as Leaders, compiled by Robert Sheffield, Convention Press, 1991, page 87). In 1997, Jim Henry was returning Baptists to Thomas Collier's portrait of the work of deacons as that of serving three tables (the table of the Lord, the table of the minister, and the table of the poor) as part of his video training materials (Deacons: Partners in Ministry and Growth (Sampson Ministries, 1997, distributed by the Sunday School Board of the SBC).

Why the "Board of Directors" Concept Persists

There are several reasons why the "Board of Directors" model persists in Baptist life:

1) As a carry-over from rural churches and the days when they had bi-vocational, perhaps half or quarter time "preachers," who were not on the field to tend to day to day ministry and administration.

2) Because of the conclusion that it is common sense to hash things out behind closed doors before bringing them out to the floor for a church vote; who else is there, besides the deacons, to hash things out?

3) Because some Christians have the gift of administration (or skills in that area) and the deacon body is the only place in their church's organizational structure where there is opportunity to serve the Lord in that way.

4) In order to provide reasonable accountability. Without such a body, an individual may become tempted to abuse his trust.

5) From the experience of deacons with a background in the business world (which would include R.B.C. Howell) or secular charitable institutions. Sometimes, it was the only model with which they have had any real familiarity.

6) Because some deacons would be out of their comfort zones - perhaps they don't know enough Bible to understand the New Testament teaching on the office of deacon or they don't feel comfortable in doing ministry. So they stick to that with that with which they are comfortable.

Approaches in Returning to the Biblical Deaconship

Various approaches are being taken by churches attempting to return to a more biblical model of deaconship. How far they are willing to go in the effort is determined by a number of variables including their view of and emphasis on Scripture, their understanding of the nature of the church, the age of the congregation, and the unanimity of the fellowship on whether steps need to be taken at all.

1. Changing the Terminology
Some churches, in an effort to improve their church's concept of deaconship, have attempted to return to Biblical terminology and drop the language of the business world. Perhaps, they no longer refer to the deacons as a "board," but as a "body," maybe removing the term "chairman of the board".

2) Changing the Attitude
These churches simply decide that a change of by-laws would be unwise or unpassable, but that for them a move toward a more servant-ministry approach and mentality would be in order.

3) Moving to a Form of Church Government with Elders and Deacons
The Capitol Hill Baptist Church has this form of organization. Says their pastor, Mike Dever,

"All churches have had individuals who have performed the functions of elders even if they were called by another name. In the NT, they were called elders or overseers, and there was always more than one (a plurality) being talked about. They were needed in the NT and they are needed now"

(Nine Marks of a Healthy Church: Biblical Church Leadership"
See also this the Capitol Hills Baptist church constitution.)

These churches select elders to oversee the administration of the church and return the office of deacon to the benevolence/assisting role of the New Testament. The eldership in these churches usually includes the pastor, perhaps other paid ministerial staff members, and lay members of the church. It would be noted that this approach should require that members of the eldership meet the qualifications in 1st Timothy 3:1-7, including being apt to teach the Word of God. Some may ask, "Why not have the deacons function as elders, just not change the name?" If Deacons were to act as elders, who would carry out the role the Bible assigns to the deacons?

The elders would fulfill the Biblical assignment for elders; not simply being church business leaders, but spiritual leaders in the truest sense. For example, the bylaws of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Titusville, Florida specify in part:

"The elders are responsible for providing the vision and direction to the church. They are responsible for the government of the church as representatives of the people and God. They shall pastor the people by providing spiritual guidance, teaching, and by equipping the people for the work of the ministry. The elders, with the assistance of the deacons, shall make provision for each member to receive watchcare. The main function of the elders is to provide the atmosphere and structure to enable individuals to develop their relationship with God and each other by appropriating the character of Jesus Christ and functioning daily in obedience to the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit."

4) Changing the Organization of the Deacons
Some churches organize their deacons to take care of administration and ministry with different deacon teams. One church went to having administrative and ministry deacons. One should note that this is really a variation of having elders and deacons, just not changing the name from deacons or requiring one to meet the qualifications for elders.

5) Dropping the Administration Function of Deacons and Relying on Committees.
These churches go all out for deacon ministry and leave all administrative functions to the staff and the committees of the church. Sometimes, the church council becomes the equivalent of ruling elders.

6) Adding Ministry to the Responsibilities of Deacons.
Some churches try to get their deacons moving in a more biblical direction by adding ministry to their concept of deaconship. They do not delete the old approach to leadership which, in their fellowship, would arouse hostility from more traditional members. Their deacons continue to operate like a board of elders, but add ministry to their expectations.

Observations and Cautions:

1. No church should attempt any changes in its by-laws without a prior change of heart and of mind; or serious division may result in the church.

2. No changes made should create a vacuum. Even churches structured in an unbiblical manner have found ways to get things done. Changes should not produce chaos.

3. Accountability provides protection for everyone; there must be a way to leave it in place, in a structure which is Biblical and which fosters respect for the office of pastor and other ministerial positions.

4. Merely changing the terminology or giving lip-service to biblical roles is insufficient. The Lord's work must actually be done in the Lord's way.

5. If a church wants to choose to use its deacons as a board of ruling elders, then those deacons (now ruling elders mislabeled) must do the work of elders and meet the qualifications for elders, as enumerated in Scripture. Otherwise, they may lack the necessary Biblical mindset to guide the church. Churches which do this often drift from their God-given mission.

6. Ultimately, a congregation has to decide if they are a church under the authority of God's Word - in practice - or not. If so, they will have to structure their government in a biblical way using biblical terminology.

7. The purpose of deacons is to serve the Lord by conducting the caring ministry of the church - doing the work of benevolence, visiting the sick, being alert to the spiritual needs of the congregation - and by promoting unity within the church, thus freeing the pastor(s) to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, and facilitating the spread of the gospel.

It may be necessary for deacons to assume additional responsibilities to meet the needs of the modern world, but it is never acceptable to delete the original, Biblical functions of the office.

Deacons and Trustees

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF

DEACONS AND TRUSTEES

This statement is the report of the committee to study eligibility criteria for deacons and trustees in

Assemblies of God churches. The report was adopted by the Assemblies of God General Presbytery,

August 17, 1976.

Deacons and Trustees

Introduction

God’s method by which the church of Jesus Christ has moved forward down through the

centuries is that God selected a person to be the leader (the pastor) and then gave the

leader others (deacons) to serve as support to the leader and as fellow servants to the

congregation.

It is understood that God has always chosen to give the leadership the vision for the work

of the Lord. For a pastor and board to work together for the enlargement of the kingdom

of God is a beautiful experience.

Terminology Used With Church Boards

Deacons

The deacons are chosen from among the congregation to “serve the church” in the

practical, spiritual, and temporal matters of that body of believers.

Trustees

The trustees are chosen from among the congregation to be custodians of the church

property and serve as signatories.

Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors shall be chosen to assist the pastor in those churches which have

an insufficient number of adults to qualify as deacons.

Official Board

The pastor and deacons shall be the official board of the local church. In the event a

church does not have a Board of Deacons, the official board shall be that board elected to

serve with the pastor.

Deacons and Trustees

Qualifications

Deacons

A person’s life and character must pass certain criteria before qualifying one to serve.

The Scriptures dictate the qualifications.

1. The deacon must be chosen from “among you” (Acts 6:3), a lay member of the

local congregation for at least 1 year.

2. The deacon must be of good reputation, “of honest report” (Acts 6:3, KJV). The

confidence and trust of the congregation and community are essential.

3. The deacon is in a spiritual ministry, “full of the Spirit” (Acts 6:3), according to

Acts 2:4, and continuing to be “filled” (Ephesians 5:18).

4. The deacon is required to make decisions in practical and temporal matters as

well as giving support to the pastor in spiritual matters, so sound direction and

wise counsel need “wisdom” (Acts 6:3).

5. The deacon must be willing to be involved in the work of God through the

church; the deacon is to “serve” (Acts 6:2, KJV).

6. The deacon is to be “sincere” (1 Timothy 3:8), i.e., steadfast and serious.

7. The deacon is “not double-tongued” (1 Timothy 3:8, KJV), i.e., must be as good

as one’s word, dependable.

8. The deacon is “not indulging in much wine” (1 Timothy 3:8), but is temperate,

not depending on physical stimulants.

9. The deacon is “not pursuing dishonest gain” (1 Timothy 3:8), but faithful with

the tithe, generous, and not motivated by money.

10. The deacon is proper in doctrine, keeping “hold of the deep truths of the faith

with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9), fully subscribing to the tenets of faith

of the Assemblies of God.

11. The deacon is a mature believer, “and let these also first be proved” (1 Timothy

3:10, KJV).

12. The deacon has not experienced matrimonial mix-ups, but is in a faithful,

monogamous marriage (1 Timothy 3:12).

13. Deacons lead their homes in Christ, “ruling their children and their own houses

well” (1 Timothy 3:12).

14. Spouses of deacons (or deaconesses) must be an example of the Christian life,

“not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything” (1 Timothy

3:11).

15. At the discretion of the local congregation, a female meeting other stated

qualifications may be selected to serve as a deaconess.

Deacons and Trustees

Trustees

Trustee boards in churches are frequently granted capacities similar to that of a Board of

Deacons. If the Board of Trustees is granted such capacities, it is recommended that the

qualifications shall be the same as a Board of Deacons.

Board of Advisors

Members of the Board of Advisors shall subscribe to the tenets of faith of the Assemblies

of God, support the local church in attendance and finances, and shall have been

approved by the district officiary.

Official Board

If the official board is other than a Board of Deacons or Board of Trustees, the

qualifications shall be determined by the constitution and bylaws of the local

congregation as long as the scriptural standards of leadership are maintained.

Relationships of All Boards

To the Pastor

The board member is the pastor’s advisor, helper, and prayer partner, a loyal supporter of

the pastor, assisting in fulfilling the vision and goals God has given the pastor for the

church.

The pastor is the chairperson and a voting member of the church boards.

To Each Other

Board members are a team, working together within the scope of their assignment with

the view to achieving the successful advancement of the church.

Board members should seek to develop a close relationship through mutual prayer,

worship, and cooperative co-laboring with the pastor and staff.

To the Congregation

Board members should promote goodwill in the congregation and should strengthen the

people’s confidence in the pastor’s leadership. The spiritual interest and welfare of the

congregation are their concern and responsibility.

To the Community

Board members should be the church’s public relations people in the community. Their

lives should be a testimony of true Christianity, conducting themselves in a manner that

will honor Christ.

Deacons and Trustees

Responsibilities of Boards

It is generally understood that the pastor, by virtue of office, is president of the

corporation and chair of the board.

Deacons

The deacons shall act in an advisory capacity with the pastor in all matters pertaining to

the assembly in its spiritual life and in the administration of the ordinances. They shall act

in the examination of applicants for membership and also in the administration of church

discipline.

At the discretion of the pastor, individual board members may be assigned portfolios of

responsibility in the functioning of the local church.

It is expected that the official board shall serve as the nominating committee for selection

of a pastor.

Trustees

The trustees serve as the official, legal servants in matters of business. Normally the

president (pastor) and the secretary of the Board of Trustees sign legal documents in

behalf of the church, particularly as property and financial contracts are involved.

The trustees, serving as custodians of the church property, shall include its proper

maintenance and insurance, etc., and shall act on behalf of the church in selling and

acquiring property.

Board of Advisors

Inasmuch as the district officiary serves as the official board of the local assembly when a

Board of Advisors serves, this board shall act in an advisory capacity to the pastor in the

routine functioning of the local church.

Official Board

The official board shall serve as it has been defined in the above guidelines.

Appendage

Elder or Eldership

After research, we conclude, because of the use of the word in the original Greek (Acts

20:17,28; 1 Timothy 5:17; James 5:14, etc.), that the words “elder” or “eldership” refer to

the office of pastor, bishop, or overseer. It is beyond the scope of our assignment to speak

to this office.

Deacons and Trustees

Process by Which Eligibility Is Determined

A. When a nominating committee is provided for in the local constitution and

bylaws, the following procedure is recommended:

1. Spiritual qualifications shall be considered as stated under

“Qualifications.”

2. The nominee shall be one who faithfully supports the local church in

attendance and finances.

3. The nominee should understand the Assemblies of God church

government.

4. Before a nominee is presented, the pastor should discuss philosophy and

vision and determine the nominee’s willingness to serve.

B. The selection of board members shall be by a vote of the local congregational

membership after nominees have been approved.

Conclusion

The pastor is God’s gift to the church; board members are the church’s gift to the pastor.

Gospel Publishing House

Springfield, Missouri 65802

Printed in the United States of America

Gospel Publishing House Catalog # 34-4171

Web site: http://www.ag.org E-mail: info@ag.org Phone: (417) 862-2781

Deacons & Deaconesses Roles

Deacon

Role in Brief

The deacon, like the elder, is an elected and ordained role. The deacon’s primary roles are the assistance in running of services, the visitation of members, the care of the sick and the maintenance of church property.

Background

The office of deacon is described in the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:8-13), where the Greek word diakonos is used from which the English “deacon” is derived. The Greek word is variously interpreted as “servant, minister, writer, attendant” and in Christian circles acquired the specialized meaning now attached to “deacon.” Scripture clearly endorses the office in the New Testament church: “They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13). On this authority, the church elects some of its members to serve in eminently practical ways, caring for several aspects of church services, as well as for church property.

The deacon is elected to office, serving for a term of one or two years as determined by the local church.

Importance of the Office

In the account of the choosing of the men who came to be known as the seven deacons of the apostolic church, as recorded in Acts 6:1-8, we are told that they were chosen and ordained to attend to the “business” of the church.

But the call to the office of deacon included more than caring for the business of the fast-growing Christian community. The deacons were engaged in an important part of the Lord’s work, demanding qualifications but slightly less exacting than those of an elder. (See 1 Tim. 3:8-13.) “The fact that these brethren had been ordained for the special work of looking after the needs of the poor did not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary, they were fully qualified to instruct others in the truth, and they engaged in the work with great earnestness and success.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 90. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and Philip, afterward called “the evangelist,” were among the first seven deacons chosen in the Christian church (Acts 6:5, 6; 8:5-26; 21:8).

This inspired arrangement resulted in great progress in the building up of the work of the early church. “The appointment of the seven to take the oversight of special lines of work proved a great blessing to the church. These officers gave careful consideration to individual needs as well as to the general financial interests of the church, and by their prudent management and their godly example they were an important aid to their fellow officers in binding together the various interests of the church into a united whole.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 89.

The appointment of deacons in the present-day church through election by the church brings similar blessings in church administration by relieving pastors, elders, and other officers of duties that may well be performed by deacons. “The time and strength of those who in the providence of God have been placed in leading positions of responsibility in the church should be spent in dealing with the weightier matters demanding special wisdom and largeness of heart. It is not in the order of God that such men should be appealed to for the adjustment of minor matters that others are well qualified to handle.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 93.

Board of Deacons

Where a church has a sufficient number of deacons to warrant the formation of a board of deacons it is well to organize such a board, with the head deacon as chairman and with another deacon serving as secretary. Such a body affords a well-ordered means of distributing responsibility and coordinates deacon contributions to the well-being of the church. It also provides a training ground where younger men, rightly recruited as deacons, may be instructed in their duties. The head deacon is a member of the church board.

Deacons Must Be Ordained

A newly elected deacon cannot fill his office until he has been set apart by an ordained minister who holds current credentials from the conference/mission/field.

The sacred rite of ordination should be simply performed in the presence of the church by an ordained minister, and may consist of a brief reference to the office of deacon, the qualities required of such a servant of the church, and the principal duties he will be authorized to perform for the church. After a short exhortation to faithfulness in service, the minister, assisted by an elder where appropriate, ordains the deacon by prayer and the laying on of hands. If he has been once ordained as deacon, and has maintained his membership, it is not necessary for him to be ordained again even though he has transferred to another church. When the term for which he was elected expires, he must be re-elected if he is to continue to serve as deacon. Should one who has been ordained as elder be elected as deacon of a church, it is not necessary for him to be ordained as deacon; his ordination as elder covers this office.

Deacons Not Authorized to Preside

The deacon is not authorized to preside at any of the ordinances of the church, nor can he perform the marriage ceremony. He may not preside at any of the business meetings of the church, neither may he officiate at the reception or transfer of members. Where a church has no one authorized to perform such duties, the church shall contact the conference/mission/field for assistance.

Duties of Deacons

The work of the deacons involves a wide range of practical services for the church, including:

1. Assistance at Services and Meetings—At church services, the deacons are usually responsible for welcoming members and visitors as they enter the church, and for assisting them, where necessary, to find seats. They also stand ready to cooperate with pastor and elders for the smooth functioning of the meetings conducted in the church.

2. Visitation of Members—An important duty belonging to deacons is that of visiting church members in their homes. In many churches this is arranged by a distribution of membership by districts, assigning a deacon to each district, with the expectation that he will visit each home at least once a quarter.

3. Preparation for Baptismal Services—The deacons should do their part in making the necessary preparations for this service; there should be no confusion or delay.

4. Assistance at the Communion Service—At the celebration of the ordinance of foot-washing, the deacons or deaconesses provide everything that is needed for the service, such as: towels, basins, water (at a comfortable temperature as the occasion may require), buckets, et cetera. After the service they should see that the vessels and linen used are washed and returned to their proper place.

Following the Lord’s Supper, great care should be exercised in disposing of any bread or wine left over after all have partaken of these emblems. Any remaining wine that was blessed is to be respectfully poured out. Any remaining bread that was blessed should be buried, burned, or respectfully disposed of in another appropriate manner but in no event returned to common usage.

5. Care of the Sick and the Poor—Another important responsibility of deacons is the care of the sick, relieving the poor, and aiding the unfortunate. Money should be provided for this work from the church fund for the needy. The treasurer, on recommendation from the church board, will pass over to the deacons or deaconesses whatever may be needed for use in needy cases. This work is the particular charge of the deacons and the deaconesses, but the church is to be kept fully acquainted with the needs, in order to enlist the membership’s support.

6. Care and Maintenance of Church Property—In some churches, where the responsibility for the care and maintenance of the church property is not assigned to a building committee, the deacons have this responsibility.

Deaconess

Deaconesses Must Be Ordained

As with the deacon, newly elected deaconess cannot fill her office until she has been set apart by an ordained minister who holds current credentials from the conference/mission/field. This is a relatively new requirement, having been decided by the world wide church in the world meetings held in 2010 General Conference Session held in Atlanta, USA, and the instruction appears in the latest church manual church manual (p. 38.78 & 79).

Role in Brief

The duties of a deaconess are very similar to the deacon, with particular emphasis placed on assistance in running services and the care of the sick.

Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well” (Rom. 16:1, 2, RSV).

The deaconess is elected to office, serving for a term of one or two years as determined by the local church. It does not follow that the wife of a man chosen as deacon thereby becomes a deaconess, nor is it incumbent upon a church to choose the wife of a deacon as deaconess because her husband is a deacon. The deaconess is to be chosen from the standpoint of consecration and other qualifications that fit her to discharge the duties of the office.

Duties of Deaconesses

Deaconesses serve the church in a wide variety of important activities, including:

1. Assistance at Baptisms—Deaconesses assist at the baptismal services, ensuring that female candidates are cared for both before and after the ceremony. They also give such counsel and help as may be necessary regarding suitable garments for baptism. Robes of suitable material should be provided. Where robes are used, the deaconesses should see that they are laundered and carefully set aside for future use.

2. Arrangements for the Communion Service—The deaconesses assist in the ordinance of foot-washing, giving special aid to women visitors or those who have newly joined the church. It is the duty of the deaconesses to arrange everything needed for this service, such as seeing that the table linen, towels, et cetera, used in the celebration of ordinances are laundered and carefully stored.

The deaconesses make arrangements for the communion table, including: preparing the bread and wine, arranging the ordinance table, pouring the wine, placing the plates of unleavened bread, and covering the table with the linen provided for that purpose. All these matters should be cared for before the service begins.

3. The Care of the Sick and the Poor—Deaconesses are to do their part in caring for the sick, the needy, and the unfortunate,
cooperating with the deacons in this work.

Board of Deaconesses

Where several deaconesses have been elected, a board of deaconesses should be formed, with the head deaconess serving as chairperson and another as secretary. This board is authorized to assign duties to individual deaconesses, and cooperates closely with the board of deacons, especially in welcoming members and visitors and in home visitation.

The Biblical Qualifications and Responsibilities of Deacons

Article

03.31.2010

Who should be a deacon? What does the Bible say deacons should do?
THE TWO BIBLICAL OFFICES: ELDERS AND DEACONS
Comparing the office of deacon to the office of elder will help us answer these questions. The primary spiritual leaders of a congregation are the elders, who are also called overseers or pastors in the New Testament. Elders teach or preach the Word and shepherd the souls of those under their care (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9; Heb. 13:17). Deacons, too, have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders’. The biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling.
This distinction is based on the pattern found in Acts 6:1–6. The apostles were devoted “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (v. 4). Since this was their primary calling, seven men were chosen to handle more practical matters in order to allow the apostles the freedom to continue with their work.
This division of labor is similar to what we see with the offices of elder and deacon. Like the apostles, the elders’ primary role is one of preaching the Word of God. Like the seven, deacons serve the congregation in whatever practical needs may arise.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS
The only passage that mentions the qualifications for deacons is 1 Timothy 3:8–13. In this passage, Paul gives an official but not exhaustive list of the requirements for deacons.
The similarities of the qualifications for deacons and elders/overseers in 1 Timothy 3 are striking. Like the qualifications for elders, a deacon must not be an addict (v. 3,), not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 3), blameless (v. 2; Titus 1:6), the husband of one wife (v. 2), and an able manager of his children and household (vv. 4–5). Furthermore, the focus of the qualifications is the moral character of the person who is to fill the office: a deacon must be mature and above reproach. The main difference between an elder and a deacon is a difference of gifts and calling, not character.
Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12:

Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).
Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way Paul speaks of the gospel (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs, for he must also hold these beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is, the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Although Paul does not specify what type of testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.
Godly wife (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake of this discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife. According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10). This is a general requirement which functions similarly to the requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and for deacons to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.

In general, if a moral qualification is listed for elders but not for deacons, that qualification still applies to deacons. The same goes for those qualifications listed for deacons but not for elders. For example, a deacon should not be double-tongued (v. 8, ESV). Paul does not explicitly say this about elders, but no doubt it applies to elders since Paul has said that elders must be “above reproach,” which would include this prohibition.
Still, we should observe the differences in the qualifications, since they either signify a trait that is particularly fitting for the office-holder in order to accomplish his duties, or is something that was a problem in the location to which Paul writes (in this case, Ephesus). This should be more clear as we turn to considering a deacon’s responsibilities.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEACONS
Whereas the office of elder is often ignored in the modern church, the office of deacon is often misunderstood. Based on the New Testament, the role of the deacon is mainly to be a servant. The church needs deacons to provide logistical and material support so that the elders can focus on the Word of God and prayer.
The New Testament does not provide much information concerning the role of deacons. The requirements given in 1 Timothy 3:8-12 focus on the deacon’s character and family life. There are, however, some clues as to the function of deacons when their requirements are compared with those of the elders. Although many of the qualifications are the same or very similar, there are some notable differences.
Perhaps the most noticeable distinction between elders and deacons is that deacons do not need to be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Deacons are called to “hold” to the faith with a clear conscience, but they are not called to “teach” that faith (1 Tim. 3:9). This suggests that the deacons do not have an official teaching role in the church.
Like elders, deacons must manage their house and children well (1 Tim. 3:4, 12). But when referring to deacons, Paul omits the section where he compares managing one’s household to taking care of God’s church (1 Tim. 3:5). The reason for this omission is most likely due to the fact that deacons are not given a ruling or leading position in the church—that function belongs to the elders.
Although Paul indicates that a person must be tested before he can hold the office of deacon (1 Tim. 3:10), the requirement that he cannot be a new convert is not included. Paul notes that if an elder is a recent convert “he may become puffed up with conceit” (1 Tim. 3:6). One implication concerning this distinction could be that those who hold the office of elder are more susceptible to pride because they possess leadership over the church. On the contrary, it is not as likely for a deacon, who is in more of a servant role, to fall into this same sin. Finally, the title “overseer” (1 Tim. 3:2) implies general oversight over the spiritual well-being of the congregation, whereas the title “deacon” implies one who has a service-oriented ministry.
Beyond what we can glean from these differences in qualifications, the Bible does not clearly indicate the function of deacons. Yet based on the pattern established in Acts 6 with the apostles and the Seven, it seems best to view deacons as servants who do whatever is necessary to allow the elders to accomplish their God-given calling of shepherding and teaching the church. Just as the apostles delegated administrative responsibilities to the Seven, so the elders are to delegate certain responsibilities to the deacons so that the elders can focus their efforts elsewhere. As a result, each local church is free to define the tasks of deacons based on their particular needs.
What are some duties that deacons might be responsible for today? They could be responsible for anything that’s not related to teaching and shepherding the church. Such duties might include:

Facilities: The deacons could be responsible for managing the church property. This would include making sure the place of worship is prepared for the worship service, cleaning up, or running the sound system.
Benevolence: Similar to what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily distribution to the widows, the deacons may be involved in administrating funds or other assistance to the needy.
Finances: While the elders should probably oversee the financial business of the church (Acts 11:30), it may be best left to the deacons to handle the day-to-day matters. This would include collecting and counting the offering, keeping records, and so on.
Ushers: The deacons could be responsible for distributing bulletins, seating the congregation, or preparing the elements for communion.
Logistics: Deacons should be available to help in variety of ways so that the elders are able to concentrate on teaching and shepherding the church.

CONCLUSION
Whereas the Bible charges elders with the tasks of teaching and leading the church, deacons’ role is more service-oriented. That is, they are to care for the physical or temporal concerns of the church. By handling such matters, deacons free up the elders to focus on shepherding the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Yet even though deacons are not the congregation’s spiritual leaders, their character is of utmost importance, which is why deacons should be examined and held to the biblical qualifications laid down in 1 Timothy 3.

Lesson 5: Duties of the Deacon

Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A, (2000), 31–39

The purpose of this lesson is to help us understand the duties of deacons.

Introduction

A Presiding Bishop of the Church gave the following counsel to the deacons of the Church:

“All men are children of God, but you have something more. You have the authority to act in his name. This sets you apart from the rest of the world. It does not automatically make you better than others, but it gives you the responsibility to live a better life than others.

“Because you know you are a child of God and hold his priesthood, more is expected of you than of those who do not have this great blessing” (Victor L. Brown, in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, 101; or Ensign, July 1972, 90).

The Duties of a Deacon

As deacons we are on the Lord’s errand (see D&C 64:29). The Lord’s work is our work. When we perform our priesthood duties, we honor the Savior. One of the best ways we can show our love for the Savior is by performing our duties as deacons. Some of these duties include the following.

Display a poster of the following list, or write the information on the chalkboard:

Duties of a Deacon

Pass the sacrament.

Watch over the Church.

Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.

Assist the bishop with temporal things.

Fellowship quorum members and other young men.

Pass the Sacrament

One of the most sacred duties we have as deacons is to pass the sacrament. When we do this, we should feel the Spirit of the Lord and the importance of the ordinance. We should be worthy to give the sacrament to the Saints as representatives of the Lord. We should act and dress as He would want us to.

One General Authority recalled his service as a deacon in these words: “I remember how I considered it an honor to participate in such a sacred service [the sacrament]. I remember so well how my parents taught me that my hands and heart should be clean and pure so that I would be worthy to participate in this ordinance” (Victor L. Brown, in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, 101; or Ensign, July 1972, 89–90).

When we pass the sacrament in the proper manner, we fulfill another duty of a deacon. That duty is to edify or to build up one another (see D&C 107:85). By seeing our devotion to this duty, the members will be edified and will have a greater desire to perform their duties.

Show visual 5-a, “Passing the sacrament is a sacred responsibility.”

Watch Over the Church and Warn, Expound, Exhort, and Teach

One of the ways we can watch over the Church is to help the members keep the commandments.

How can we help members keep the commandments? (We can teach them the gospel by our words and actions.)

Have class members read Doctrine and Covenants 20:58–59. What are some ways we can warn, teach, and invite all to come to Christ?

As we warn, invite, and teach others, we can help meet the spiritual needs of the members of the Church. One way we do this is by speaking in Church meetings. When we prayerfully prepare our talks, the Holy Ghost will witness the truth of our words to the members. Other ways we can fulfill these duties are notifying members of meetings, sharing the gospel, and bearing testimony.

Assist the Bishop with Temporal Things

Deacons help the bishop look after the temporal needs of the Church. This could include gathering fast offerings, helping to care for those in need, and helping to care for the meetinghouse and grounds.

The following story about gathering fast offerings shows how one young deacon learned the importance of this responsibility. This experience took place many years ago when members contributed food, clothing, and fuel as fast offerings to be distributed to those in need.

“As a deacon, I was assigned to gather the ‘fast’ on our block. A bewhiskered, beyond-middle-aged gentleman, Brother Peter Reid, was the supervisor, and it was his responsibility to see that the fast offerings were gathered and distributed to the needy. …

“I was to visit every home on the block … and give them the opportunity to give something for the benefit of the poor. One home would give a large lump of coal, another some wood, another a scoop of flour, a bottle of fruit, a cup of sugar, a slab of bacon, and so forth. …

“On a particular Saturday our football team had scheduled a game and I was eager to play. I knew it was my duty to gather the ‘fast’ and it would be wrong if I failed, but I wanted more than anything else to play that game. I chose pleasure over duty, and played football. …

“Early the next morning Brother Reid knocked on our back door and asked for me. I was conscience stricken—I wanted to run and hide—but I faced him, head down. All he said was: ‘Willard, do you have time to take a little walk with me?’

“It was a cold fall day.

“I went with him, first to a little frame court near the corner of First North and Third West streets. He gently rapped on one of the doors and a poor little thin lady answered the door.

“She said: ‘Brother Reid, we didn’t get our food yesterday and we haven’t a thing in the house to eat.’

“Brother Reid said: ‘I’m sorry, sister, but I’m sure we’ll have something for you before the close of the day.’

“We went to another door near the upper end of the court. In response to our knock a voice called for us to come in.

“We entered to find an aged man and his wife in bed. He said: ‘Brother Reid, we are without coal, and we have to stay in bed to keep warm.’

“In another part of the court we were greeted by a little mother with her small children huddled together. The baby was crying and the other children had tear-stained faces.

“That was enough! …

“I was about to cry—overwhelmed by my appalling neglect of duty. … Those people had their food and coal early that afternoon—and I learned a most valuable lesson” (Willard R. Smith, quoted in “Program Outline for Teaching Observance of the Law of the Fast” [1965], 19–20).

Gathering fast offerings is only one way to help with the temporal needs of the Church and its members. Another way might be to help a widow plant her garden, water it, and weed it. During harvest time we could help her gather and store the food. By doing these things we are helping her meet her temporal needs.

Show visuals 5-b, “One of the duties of deacons is to collect fast offerings,” and 5-c, “Working as a quorum on a welfare project is one way deacons watch over the Church.”

Fellowship Quorum Members and Other Young Men

We can fulfill this duty by encouraging each other to participate in quorum meetings and activities. We should also be concerned for the spiritual and temporal welfare of quorum members and do all we can to support them.

Invite class members to think about the following question without answering aloud: Who are some of the young men I could help to fellowship and strengthen?

How Deacons Learn Their Duties

As deacons we can learn our duties in many ways and places. One way we can learn them is through personal scripture study and prayer. To do this, we may have to find a time and a place where we can be alone to study our duties as explained in the scriptures and pray for help in understanding them.

We also learn our duties at home from our parents or older brothers. These duties can be taught during family home evening. This instruction is also taught on Sundays in priesthood meetings by the deacons quorum president. The Lord has commanded the deacons quorum president to preside over the deacons in his quorum and to teach them their duties (see D&C 107:85). The deacons quorum president can help us understand our duties and how to act in the office of a deacon. He is taught these duties by a priesthood adviser or a member of the bishopric or branch presidency.

One of the best ways to learn our duties is to perform them. When we perform our duties, we understand them better and please the Lord. And when the Lord is pleased with us, He will reveal many things to us through the Holy Ghost. As deacons we should always live worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us.

How the Deacons Quorum Helps Deacons

Quorum members can help each other in many ways. As we meet together during quorum meeting, we can fellowship each other. We can also help each other learn our duties and plan activities that will help us perform them. Our duties include helping members meet their temporal needs, preparing for and giving missionary service, doing family history work and being baptized for the dead, activating young men of quorum age, and learning the gospel. The quorum gives us the opportunity to work together in fulfilling these duties. And by doing our duty, we help build the kingdom of God.

Through our quorum service we can also experience personal growth in the gospel. We grow in knowledge as we study the gospel and fulfill our responsibilities, and we increase our leadership abilities by serving as officers in the quorum.

Ask class members to read Doctrine and Covenants 107:60–62, 85. Who is to preside over a deacons quorum? What are his duties?

Those in authority over us select the president of the quorum and call him to serve. The president then selects two counselors, who must be approved and called by those in authority. The quorum adviser trains the officers in their duties. He also teaches the gospel lesson in the quorum meeting. The quorum officers instruct the members of the quorum in their priesthood duties. In these and similar ways, quorum members learn how to watch over the Church.

The deacons quorum also provides a place where we can receive friendship and help. If we are discouraged or unsure of the truth, we can receive encouragement and find answers to our problems from the quorum. The following story illustrates how we can build each other up by showing our concern for each other. In this case, the concern was shown for a less-active member of the quorum.

One deacon was less active in the Church. On Sundays he would usually work around the house. On many of these occasions, he wondered about priesthood meeting and felt a need for fellowship. But because no one ever extended an invitation to him to attend priesthood, he never felt wanted. One Sunday while he was painting a room in his home, the presidency of the deacons quorum visited him. They asked him if he would like to attend priesthood the next Sunday. He said no. His answer could have discouraged them, but they refused to give up. The three of them continued to visit him every Sunday with the same offer.

Although this less-active boy never did attend church as a deacon, the love and concern of the quorum presidency built him up and made a deep impression on him. This concern motivated him when he was older to seek out the Church. Today he is active in the Church and performing his priesthood duties.

Conclusion

When we learn our duties and magnify the priesthood as deacons, we are strengthened and we help others live the gospel. This is what it means “to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church” (D&C 84:111).

Challenges

Live the gospel and be a good example of a priesthood holder.

Be reverent during the sacrament service; and when passing the sacrament, act and dress as a representative of the Savior should act and dress.

Collect fast offerings when asked to do so.

Study and pray about the scriptures that teach us the duties of the deacon.

Additional Scriptures

1 Timothy 3:8–10 (the qualifications of deacons)

Doctrine and Covenants 84:30–32 (office of deacon as an appendage to the lesser priesthood)

Teacher Preparation

Before presenting this lesson:

Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–60; 107:1–100.

Prepare the poster suggested in the lesson, or write the information on the chalkboard.

Assign class members to present any stories, scriptures, or quotations you wish.

The Role of the Deacon

Gerald Cowen
2003 11 Dec
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The exact nature and duties of the New Testament deacon are not systematically described anywhere in Scripture. The origin of the office is still being debated; however, the traditional view is that it had its beginning in the appointment of the seven (Acts 6), although they are not specifically called deacons.²⁶ This view is widely held because the seven were elected to serve (diakoneo) tables (6:3), and were instructed to serve as deacons (1 Tim. 3:10, diakoneo). Their ministry was intended to aid the apostles by taking care of some of the physical needs of the congregation. Otherwise the apostles would have to "lay down the word of God" in order to serve tables (Acts 6:2).

The close connection of the qualifications for deacons and the qualifications of pastor-elders in 1 Timothy 3 also suggests the same arrangement. The deacons were to assist the
elders (who replaced the apostles as the spiritual leaders of the church) with the physical needs of the church.

The qualifications in 1 Timothy imply this supporting role for deacons in two ways. Deacons are not required to have the "ability to teach," although this does not preclude
them from doing so. At least two of the seven in Acts, Stephen and Philip, were very active in preaching and evangelism (Acts 7-8). In addition, the qualifications are not quite as rigorous for deacons as they are for pastor-elders.
The role of the seven in Acts is clearly spelled out. They were to be in charge of the "daily serving of food" (NASB) to the widows. The church inherited this charitable practice from the Jews. The synagogue had a regular organization to help those in need. They preferred to give their alms for the poor through the synagogue rather than doing
it individually. Barclay describes this practice:

Each Friday in every community two official collectors went round the markets and called on each house, collecting donations for the poor and needy in money and goods. This material so collected was distributed to those in need by a committee . . .

The poor of the community were given enough food for fourteen meals, that is for two meals a day for the week. But no one could receive any donation from this fund if he already possessed a week's food in the house. This fund . . . was called the kuppah, or the basket. In addition, there was a daily collection of food from house to house for those who were actually in emergency need for the day. This fund was called the tamhui or the tray.²⁷
It was this practice that the first deacons inherited and performed. At first the money for the poor had been administered or at least supervised by the apostles (Acts 4:35), but when the number of the disciples grew to five thousand men (Acts 4:4), the job became too much for them, and deacons were elected to help.

Another indication of the deacon's role is inherent in the name itself: "servant." Just as the title bishop carries with it the job description of "overseer" and the title pastor means a "shepherd," one who takes care of the flock, the title deacon refers to one who serves. This does not mean that it is a lowly or unimportant office. The qualifications are quite high. They indicate that the deacon must be morally pure, spiritually mature, doctrinally strong, and able to handle money responsibly. In addition, he must be a good example in his family life and his deportment in the community. He is one to be respected in the church.

No other directions are given in Scripture concerning the work of the deacon. One thing is clear: it is not the job of the deacon to rule the church. Just as there is no such thing in Scripture as a board of elders, there is no such thing as a board of deacons. Authority in the church comes from the Lord to the congregation. Deacons may be authorized by the congregation to serve the church in various ways, but these should be under the same headings found in Scripture. They should help the pastor or pastors with their ministry and help meet the physical needs of the congregation.

Lea and Griffin conclude from 1 Timothy 3:8-13 that "deacons likely served in an undefined way to assist the overseer, but they may not have been deeply involved in church financial affairs."²⁸ The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of the USA defines the role of the deacon more broadly. It says that the deacon: "shall minister to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress . . . To this board may be delegated . . . responsibilities relating to the oversight of members, to the finances and properties of the church, and to its evangelistic, missionary, and educational
programs."²⁹
Deacons may be involved properly in all of these ministries as appointed by the church, but Strauch is correct when he says that "deacons are the church's ministers of
mercy."³⁰ Whatever else they do in serving God and His church, they should be careful not to neglect their primary ministry of service to the needy. No spiritual gifts are listed
in the qualifications for deacons, but it seems reasonable that a deacon's gifts should be appropriate for his ministry.

If that be the case, then the church should look for those who have the gift of "helping" (1 Cor. 12:28) or the gift of "showing mercy" (Rom. 12:8). Without these gifts deacons
will not be as effective in fulfilling the ministry to which God has appointed them.

Number of Deacons

The New Testament does not give any directions concerning the number of deacons a church should have.

Perhaps no fixed number is given because churches of different sizes with differing conditions have very different needs for the deacons' ministry. The Jerusalem church consisted of five thousand men and perhaps as many as twenty thousand believers (Acts 4:4) at the time they chose seven to be deacons. That was a ratio of almost three thousand people per deacon. Using these figures, one could conclude that most churches have too many deacons.
There is another practical consideration. When handling money, it should be required that at least two deacons are involved. This was required by the Jews of those who collected
money for the poor. It does two things. (1) It removes the temptation to take money from the collection for personal matters. (2) It removes any cause for accusation against the deacon if there is ever a problem because there are witnesses to his faithfulness. It is good to do these things openly so there is no question about honesty or unfairness with the use of church funds.

Finally, a church should have no more deacons than there are men qualified to serve. One of the most serious problems a church can have is deacons or a pastor-elder who does not meet the qualifications set forth in Scripture.

This is a form of disobedience to God in electing the unqualified or not taking seriously the dictates of Scripture in these matters. It results in at least two problems. (1) It is a bad example to the younger members. Disregarding Scripture in this way says to them that it is not really important to obey Scripture in other ways. (2) It results in weak spiritual leadership for the church. If the church has mediocre leaders, it will become a mediocre church. The requirements for a deacon are very demanding because God wants the church to be a "holy nation" (1 Pet. 2:9), ones who have "purified your souls in obeying the truth" (1 Pet. 1:22).

Conclusion

Deacons have a very important role in the church. Although they are "servants" and their ministry is a ministry of service, the fact that they have been chosen demonstrates they are respected by the brethren. Their role is second in importance only to the pastor-elders. The pastor(s) are given by the Lord the responsibility of teaching the Word. Without this ministry the church will not prosper spiritually. Part of the duty of the deacons is to
relieve the pastor-elders of responsibilities that would keep them from doing their best in studying the Word, spending time alone with God in prayer, and teaching the Word
effectively. This is the reason the first deacons were chosen (Acts 6). Deacons still need to work closely with the pastor-elder(s) to make sure that this problem does not arise.

Many churches are hampered in their spiritual development because the pastor-elder has "laid down" the Word of God to do other things.

The deacon is not described as a "ruler" in the church. However, as one who assists the "overseers" of the church and is appointed by the church to fulfill specific ministries,
the deacon is by virtue of his office a leader of the church.

His value to the church is in his service. He is not to be the pastor-elder's supervisor but his helper. Deacons are not to form a board to rule the church; that is not their job
description. They are to lead the church in ministry.

Churches who have such deacons will be blessed indeed. Pastors who have such deacons to help them will be better pastors because of it. Deacons who serve well "obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith" (1 Tim. 3:13).

The Biblical Responsibilities of a Deacon

The Biblical Deacon—Part 2

By Dave McCollum | July 31, 2010

In part one of this series we discovered that the biblical role of a deacon is that of an attendant, servant, waiter, or one who runs errands.
There is a vast difference between knowing what you are (your role) and knowing what you are supposed to do (your responsibilities). When I first got married I knew that I was a husband. However, I had no idea what I was supposed to do! Now that I have been married for over thirty-two years to my wonderful wife, I still have no idea about what I’m supposed to do, but I enjoy it much more. Ah, ignorance is bliss, and I’m a happy guy!
A responsibility can be defined as something for which one is held accountable. I am liable for any damage that my car does to someone or his property. It is my responsibility. That is why I have liability insurance. Humm (an expression of deep thought), I wonder if churches could get deacon insurance? I’ve known many pastors who wished they could!
Much of the confusion over the office of a deacon revolves around its purpose. We know that deacons are servants in the church, but exactly what are they supposed do?
It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. That was the case in the church at Jerusalem. A need arose that necessitated the establishment of what we now call the deacon ministry.
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Acts 6:1-2
These verses reveal the dual responsibilities of the deacon ministry. We see that the deacons had the responsibility of meeting the needs of the people (their widows were neglected) and the pastors (it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables). There are two distinct responsibilities of a deacon.

Responsibility to the Pastor of the Church

The primary responsibility of the deacon is to the pastor. The needs of the people could have been met by the pastors. They could have distributed to the widows. However, the pastors’ need to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer could not be met while they were meeting this particular need of the people. I guess you could say that there was a conflict of needs. The primary need of the two was for the man of God to continue to seek the face of God that he might lead the church of God to the glory of God. “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).
The church at Jerusalem was being blessed with tremendous numerical and spiritual growth because of the ministry of these men. The problem was that the spiritual momentum of the whole church could have been stalled in order to meet the physical needs of a few. Therefore the primary responsibility of the deacon is to ensure that the pastor is able to spend time with the Lord in order to fulfill his role as the spiritual overseer and edifier within the church of God.
Physical Responsibility to the Pastor
This involves the time and wellness of the pastor. The deacon should always be looking for opportunities to free his pastor from tasks that could hinder his time with the Lord and his family. We have already seen the importance of the pastor’s time with the Lord. It is also very important that the pastor have time to nurture his relationship with his wife and children. The Bible is clear that his first ministry is to his family. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1Timothy 3:2-5)
The deacon should also be aware of the heavy spiritual and emotional load that the pastor carries, and make sure that he is given opportunities to get away for some rest and rejuvenation. The uniqueness of a pastor’s heart is sometimes hard for us to comprehend. He never truly “clocks out.” Whether he is at church, driving down the road, lying in bed, or on a family vacation, you and I are continually on his mind. Many of the burdens he is bearing can only be shared with the Lord. I have served with my pastor long enough that I am now able to discern when he is running on empty or dealing with a difficult situation. When deacons sense this in their pastor, it is imperative that they provide him with the opportunity to pull up to the pump and refuel his tank.
Fiscal Responsibility to the Pastor
It is also the responsibility of the deacons to make sure that the pastor has the resources to take care of himself and his family. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). I don’t know of any man that could give himself continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word when his family is lacking the necessities of life. Every year the deacons should evaluate the pastor’s compensation package and make sure that his needs are being met. This should minimally include salary, housing, and transportation, as well as health and life insurance. It always amazes me when I ask folks if their pastor has health insurance. More often than not I just receive a blank stare in reply. Yet they would never think of going into their workplaces tomorrow and canceling the health insurance plan for their families. The Lord will take care of those who take care of the man of God. The poor widow at Zarephath experienced this wonderful truth (see 1 Kings 17:8-16).

Responsibility to the People of the Church

A wonderful part of helping the pastor fulfill his ministry is the opportunity that deacons have to minister to people. These responsibilities should be identified and appointed by the pastor. Every church is different and every pastor’s needs in this area are different.
Below are four major areas that are often blessings to a pastor:

Caring—meeting the physical and emotional needs of the widows and others within the church family
Counseling—assisting at the altar, front door, and other occasions as needed
Counting—taking care of the tithes and offerings of the church
Committees—Standing committees such as finance, building, missions, etc. that can be called into action to assist the pastor as needed

The Word of God identifies the role and responsibilities of a deacon. Deacons are scripturally qualified men who are chosen by the church from among its membership and appointed by the pastor to serve specific needs within the church that would otherwise distract the pastor from prayer and the ministry of the word.
This is part two of this article. Please click here to read part three, or four.

Responsibility of Deacons & Deaconesses

Posted on October 2, 2014 —

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What the Bible Teaches About Deacons & Deaconesses

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We know that they are usually mentioned with church leadership. For example, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 gives qualifications of overseers and then beginning in verse 8 we read, “In the same way, deacons are to be …” In addressing the Philippians church, the Apostle Paul wrote, “To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” (Phil. 1:1).
We also know that they must be held to a high standard. See 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for a list of qualifications.
And, we know that they must be chosen wisely. You are not to take an “anyone will do” attitude in selecting deacons. 1 Timothy 3:10 clearly states, “They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”
Also, we know that both men and women appear to have served in this capacity in the early church – so there were deacons and deaconesses. Phoebe is an example given of a deaconess (Rom. 16:1).

What the Bible Does Not Specifically Say About Deacons

We do not find much teaching in the Bible about what a deacon does. The primary passage pertaining to deacons, 1 Timothy 3:8-13, deals with the character and life of someone who qualifies to be a deacon or deaconess. Their duties are not provided in this passage or other verses. We can, however, look at the original Greek word for help. “Diakonos” is probably from the verb “dioko” which, according to Vine’s Dictionary, means “to hasten after, pursue” primarily denoting a servant or an attendant who waits on others. Accordingly, a deacon would then be someone who cares for the needs of others.
Acts 6 is often used as an example of the work of deacons. Be careful to note, however, that the seven men chosen for this responsibility were not actually called deacons in that passage. Yet, we do find the verb form of diakonos in verse two which says, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on (diakoneo) tables.” The early church leaders, the Twelve Apostles, could not do everything. When complaints surfaced that the “widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food” they knew something had to be done. They said, “choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them” (v. 3).
Though we do not read that they were officially called deacons, they certainly seem like they could be:
1) Their responsibility was to care for the needs of others … specifically here, widows.
2) Those chosen for this task had to meet certain qualifications … known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
3) They fulfilled ministry that freed up the leaders to do what they should be doing … the ministry of the Word of God.
Caring for the widows would be just one example of how deacons might tend to the practical needs in the church, hence freeing up the elders to preach the Word and shepherd the Body. Undoubtedly there would be many other practical needs for them to meet besides benevolence.
And, the Bible does not tell us what spiritual gifts a deacon or deaconess should have to fulfill their responsibility. In light of what we have concluded about their responsibility, we can surmise which gifts would be good for them to have. That, however, is a topic for the next post.

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Monday, October 9, 2017

Question: "What are the responsibilities of deacons in the church?"

The Biblical Qualifications and Responsibilities of Deacons

Lesson 5: Duties of the Deacon

Introduction

The Duties of a Deacon

Duties of a Deacon

Pass the Sacrament

Watch Over the Church and Warn, Expound, Exhort, and Teach

Assist the Bishop with Temporal Things

Fellowship Quorum Members and Other Young Men

How Deacons Learn Their Duties

How the Deacons Quorum Helps Deacons

Conclusion

Challenges

Additional Scriptures

Teacher Preparation

The Role of the Deacon

The Biblical Responsibilities of a Deacon

The Biblical Deacon—Part 2

Responsibility to the Pastor of the Church

Responsibility to the People of the Church

Responsibility of Deacons & Deaconesses

What the Bible Teaches About Deacons & Deaconesses

What the Bible Does Not Specifically Say About Deacons

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