The Deacon Ministry at RHBC – (The Rock Church)

Timothy Cowin

November 2007, Deacons Meeting

Questions I (Timothy Cowin) have been wrestling with?

1. Does Scripture clearly deal with questions about the polity, or organization, of the church?

2. Should our church be ordered and structured like the churches in the New Testament?

3. Should we use the Bible to guide the way we are structured? Should we look to the Bible, recognize the aspects of structure and organization that are taught there, and then organize our church according to the Bible’s teaching?

4. When we find that our Church is not operating in the fashion that is taught and described in the Bible, should we make the necessary changes to reflect the Scriptures?

5. What is the difference between the role of a deacon and the role of pastors/elders? Does our church recognize that difference in its government?

6. Can we be structured in a way more closely conforming to the normal New Testament pattern ("Paul appointed elders in all the churches," Acts 14:23).

7. We need to clarify the role of our deacons. Are they elders in the NT sense, or are they deacons? Right now they seem to be a hybrid as a "council" and yet with the name "deacons". And who are the "staff" in the NT understanding of things? Are they the "elders"? If so, how do we fit into the governing structure of the church? There is much confusion that keeps deacons, committees, boards and staff from finding ourselves and our roles in the NT.

Conclusions: That I have come to from prayerful, Biblical study:

1. The Bible reveals that the two offices of the church are a plurality of Elders/Pastors and a plurality of Deacons. This fact is clearly seen in Philippians 1.1 and 1Timothy 3, where both offices are listed together.

2. The Bible consistently reveals that the practice of the New Testament church was that a body of spiritual men called Elders or Bishops were called out by the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, care, manage, and shepherd the flock as its overseers, (Acts 20.17-28, 1 Timothy 5.17, 1 Peter 5.1-4).

2.1. Paul’s mission in church planting included the appointment of elders in all the churches: “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts14.23). “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1.5).

2.2. These elders are the spiritual leaders of the church: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17).

3. Whether one uses the word Pastors, Elders, or Bishops, is of little importance. What is important is that we recognize what the Bible teaches about the organization of the church. In the New Testament church leadership belonged collectively to a group of spiritual men who were able to lead, teach, guide, and care for God’s people under the calling of the Holy Spirit.

4. Deacons, according to the practice of the New Testament and the meaning of the word, are helpers or assistants of the elders. Their role is one of service and ministry in the church.

4.1. The word diakonos is usually translated as “servant,” but sometimes as “minister,” and sometimes is it just translated “deacon.” Deacons were chosen by the early church to serve under the leadership of the pastors/elders as their helpers and as servants to the fellowship.

5. The office of Deacon was established to free the Apostles (who functioned as the first elders/pastors) to pray and give themselves to the ministry of the Word. The first deacons served under these Pastors/Elders as their helpers.

5.1. The Apostles, in dealing with a ministry problem at the Jerusalem church, told the congregation to choose men that the Apostles could appoint to be their helpers and servants to the widows.
"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

Deacons are therefore servants and helpers who assist the pastors/elders in meeting the “needs” of the church. 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 pastors to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, promoting unity within the church, and facilitating the spread of the gospel.

Application: How do we apply God’s Word?

Pastors/Elders

1. Whether we call them Pastors or Elders, I think it would be helpful and Biblical to formally identify and recognize that these are the spiritual leaders in our church. These men will meet regularly as a body to pray for and generally direct the affairs of the church. The main functions of pastors are to lead God’s people by teaching God’s Word and applying God’s Word to the body.

At this time our Pastors/Elders are Timothy Cowin as the Lead Pastor/Elder, Frank Eller, Rodney Leek, Steve Wilson, Tim Hatch, and Milton McBride. Each of these men has been approved by our church to be its pastors. We will add to this group as the Lord calls men out of our fellowship to serve in this ministry. All pastors/elders will be approved by the church.

2. A plurality of Pastors/Elders should aid the church by rounding out the Lead Pastor’s gifts, making up for some of his defects, supplementing his judgment, and creating support in the congregation for decisions. A plurality of Pastors/Elders will form a leadership team that will love, support, encourage, and pray for one another. Basically, it is not “one man tying to run the church,” but “a group of godly, spiritual men who are prayerfully leading the church as a team.

DEACONS

1. There are some who think of the Deacons as a Council as an overseeing or managing body. The first church I served in, the deacons acted as the leadership council for the church. As a pastor I basically had to run everything through them for approval and advice. The second church I served in, deacons changed their names to “servants” and gave themselves to practical ministry. At RHBC, I think that our Deacons seem to fall in the middle of these two positions. Some Deacons think they are supposed to be overseers of the church. Other Deacons see their role as helpers and servants. It is important that we have a clear common understanding of what the role of a Deacon should be.

I think there should be a leading body in the church; I do not think that the Bible gives this function to Deacons. Deacons should not function as a council, but have specific ministry roles in the church. We should not refer to the deacons as a deacon “council” = (i.e. a body of persons specially designated or selected to act in an advisory, administrative, or legislative capacity). Deacons should function and be seen as a deacon “ministry” = (an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service).

2. What Should Deacon Ministry Look Like in Our Church:

2.1. The one thing we know that deacons did in the first church was overseeing the benevolence ministry and care for the widows. We have already determined to see the deacons focus on ministering to the widows. The deacons should create a ministry plan and work it (calling, helping, visiting etc…).

2.2. I strongly recommend that we disband the Benevolence Committee and place that ministry into the leadership of deacons. History clearly reveals that New Testament Deacons cared for the poor.

2.3. Visit the Sick.

2.4. Oversee and administrate helping the poor.

2.5. Be agents of peace and harmony.

2.6. Pray and care for the members of our body with special needs.

2.7. Visiting and encouraging members who are have lapsed in their participation in the life of the church.

2.8. Help with baptisms and the Lord’s Supper.

2.9. Mentor new Christians and New Members, assignments will be made for one on one follow-up for those who make decisions. Godly women can be enlisted to mentor other women. This mentoring relationship will be crucial in development and support of those committing their lives to Christ. Deacons can take the “first steps” with a new Christian or new member and help ensure that they are assimilated into the life of the fellowship.

2.10. Other roles and services will be added as needs arise. It is important to note that the first deacons were chosen to meet a current ministry need in the church. The deacon ministry should be composed of spiritual, godly Christians that can meet various needs of the body as they become known. Deacons literally look for ways to roll up their sleeves and serve.

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