In the past … we have studied the duties and qualifications of: Evangelists and Elders
Evangelists
Preach the Word
Set Things in Order
Equip the Saints
Have a Broad Sphere of Influence
Pastors
Older Men … who …
Shepherd the Flock
Teach God’s Word
Oversee the Lord’s Work
Have a Local Sphere of Influence
Both have the assignment to “equip the saints for ministry” (Eph 4:11-12)
We have taken this assignment seriously … and have appointed a host of “ministries” to serve the congregation:
Some providing “Measurable Benefits”
Some which are “Maintenance Ministries”
Every member of the Lord’s Body needs to find an area in which to “work”.
In Acts 6:3 … a service task arose which required leadership qualifications …
… specific… but less than those of an apostle (Acts 1: 21-22)
Likewise … in our congregation … we have appointed responsible people …
to oversee these service ministries … who …
“havea good reputation” and are “full of the Spirit & wisdom,”
These are the only qualifications necessary to direct a "Service Ministry."
Elders and Evangelists have other tasks to perform … teaching, overseeing, and training.
That gives everybody something to do … and everybody knows what they’re doing … except … “Deacons”.
God bless ‘em … the church has always had a hard time knowing “who they are” and “what they do”.
No wonder … the Bible doesn’t give us many specific descriptions of their work … only qualifications (I Tim 3:8-13).
Because there IS a specific list of specific qualifications …
… thereseems to be a specific office … connected with the office of “elder – pastor – overseer” (I Tim 3:1-7)
The two are connected again in Phil 1:1 … where Paul addresses …
“…all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons”
The Gr. word for “deacon” is “diakonos” …
It comes from an obsolete word …diako … which means“to run errands”
“Diakonos” originally referred to “an attendant” or “a waiter of tables”.
In the English N.T. – diakonos is translated as: deacon, minister, or servant.
It is a very common word in the N.T. – and is used in many ways …
… to describe many different kinds of people … both men and women …
Matt 20:26Jesus said, “whoever will be great among you, let him be your diakonos”
Matt 22:13In a parable, “The king said to the diakonos, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away”
John 2:5At the wedding feast, “Jesus’ mother said to the diakonos, Whatever he says to you, do it.”
Rom 13:4Regardinga civil ruler, Paul said, “he is the diakonos of God to you for good.”
Rom 15:8Regarding Jesus himself, Paul said, “He was a diakonos of the circumcision for the truth of God”
Rom 16:1Phoebe was called “a diakonon of the church at Cenchrea” (feminine form of the word … a servant)
1 Cor 3:5Paul referred to himself and Apollos as “diakonos” by whom you believed”
Look at all the ways this word is used … in a "General" sense.
Yet Paul, by his own list of qualifications (I Tim 3:12), could not have served as a “deacon” in the official sense …
… and neither could Phebe … for neither of them were “husbands” (what about Jesus?)
Both Paul and Phebe “ministered” invery specific … very important … ways … as other Christians should …
… but neither of them could be a “Deacon”(official sense) according to Paul’s own list of qualifications.
There was something about the ROLE of a "Deacon" which required the "Appointee" to be:
1. A Man … and …
2. A man who matched up with a considerable list of qualifications.
But … what IS a Deacon … and what does a Deacon do? Scholars have struggled with this question.
Through the years … the church has defined the office of “Deacon” in a number of ways:
- A man assigned to take care of specificphysical needs in the church (when job ended … office ended)
- A man assigned to take care of generalphysical needs in the church (may be called upon by needy people)
- A Junior Elder
You may laugh … but … that’s exactly the conclusion we’ve come to in our studies.
Well … we wouldn’t put it in those demeaning terms … we’d say that a deacon is “an assistant to the elders”.
This conclusion is drawn from three observations:
1. God’s desire for every Christian to “minister” in the Lord’s service in some way
Thus … deacons (in the official sense) are not special just because they serve.
2. The limited list of qualifications for those who were “put in charge” of ministry areas (Acts 6:3)
… good reputation … spiritual … and wise
Thus … deacons (in the official sense) are not special just because they "head-up" a ministry.
3. The similarity between the office of elder and the office of deacon (I Tim 3:1-13)
It truly appears that deacons must be qualified for a much more spiritual role than mere physical service
Take another look at the qualifications of Elders as Paul describes them in I Tim 3:
Elders (vss 1-7)
Above Reproach
Husband of One WifeAble to Teach
Temperate & Prudent
Respectable & HospitableFree From Vice
Able to Teach
Not Addicted to WineGood reputation
Not Pugnacious
Gentle & PeaceableApproachable Spirit
Free From the Love of Money
Household Managed WellExemplary Family Man
Children Controlled w/dignity
Not a New ConvertSeasoned Christian
Good Reputation Outside
Here we see elaborate, explicit "parenting skills" for those who are to "shepherd" and "oversee" the flock.
Now … compare that to the qualifications of those who are "put in charge" of ministry areas (Acts 6:3)
Elders (vss 1-7)Ministry Leaders (Acts 6:3)
Full of the Spirit
Full of Wisdom
Above ReproachOf Good Reputation
Husband of One Wife
Temperate & Prudent
Respectable & Hospitable
Able to Teach
Not Addicted to Wine
Not Pugnacious
Gentle & Peaceable
Free From the Love of Money
Household Managed Well
Children Controlled w/dignity
Not a New Convert
Good Reputation Outside
Spiritual – Wise – Respectable … but no need to necessarily have a family.
And then … compare the qualities listed for "women" (I Tim 3:11)
Elders (vss 1-7)Women (I Tim 3:11)
Not Malicious Gossips
Faithful in All Things
Above Reproach
Husband of One Wife
Temperate & PrudentTemperate(moderate, calm, self controlled)
Respectable & HospitableDignified
Able to Teach
Not Addicted to Wine
Not Pugnacious
Gentle & Peaceable
Free From the Love of Money
Household Managed Well
Children Controlled w/dignity
Not a New Convert
Good Reputation Outside
Qualities you'd expect from women "in charge of" ministries or those who are married to elders or deacons.
But … can you see the vast difference between the specific, extensive qualities necessary for shepherds and overseers
when compared to those for church members who are given responsibilities?
Those assigned responsible duties (i.e. "moved into the lime-light") are to have admirable Christian qualities …
but Pastorsmuch more so … theymust be seasoned Christians and exemplary husbands and fathers.
To be recognized as an elder in the church is no small thing!! I would warn you today …
Do not "aspire" to the office if you have issues with anger and frequent turmoil in personal relationships.
You must be gentle and peaceable and approachable.
Do not "aspire" to the office if there is recent scandal, or discord or rebelliousness in your home.
Your home must be dignified and well managed and controlled … observable from those on the outside.
Do not "aspire" to the office if your ego and pride cause your soul to writhe in passionate unrest (jealousy/envy)
You must be humble and modest. You must not be arrogant or braggadocios.
Do not "aspire" to the office if you are weak in yourability to convey God's Word with accuracy.
You will be expected to teach God's Word … and it will be evident if your knowledge is limited.
Do not "aspire" to the office if the lusts of the world are diluting the Spirit of God in your heart.
To "aspire" to the office of "bishop" is no small thing!!
And there is a vast difference between the qualities required for ministry responsibilities and those for an elder.
But look at this … look at the comparison between the qualifications for "elders" and those for "deacons" …
Elders (vss 1-7)Deacons (I Tim 3:8-13)
must first be tested
Above Reproachbeyond reproach
Husband of One Wifehusband of one wife
Temperate & Prudentnot double-tongued
Respectable & HospitableDignified
Able to Teachholding to the mystery of the faith
Not Addicted to Winenot addicted to much wine
Not Pugnacious
Gentle & Peaceable
Free From the Love of Moneynot fond of sordid gain
Household Managed Wellgood managers of household
Children Controlled w/dignitygood managers of children
Not a New Convert
Good Reputation Outside
The work of Deacons must be CONNECTED to the work of elders … for their qualifications are so similar.
The work of Deacons must be SIMILAR to the work of elders ……… for their qualifications are so similar.
The difference in their qualifications is … primarily … that of tenure.
A deacon may "hold to the mystery of the faith" … but not yet be proficient to "teach" it.
A deacon might mirror many of the "outward" qualities of an elder … but still be developing "people skills"
A deacon might be a more recent convert than an elder…thusnot yet understand subtle nuances of the church.
But still … you must admit … the two lists look remarkably similar.
Thus … we might expect the pool of future elders to come from the deacons of today. (though not necessarily)
We might expect the deacons to be most qualified to assist the elders in SPIRITUAL supervision of the flock.
And … even though it is the shepherds who will give an accounting for the flock … (Heb 13:17)
… it is the deacons who are working at their side … moving the flock to food and water … binding wounds … etc.
These are the reasons we have come to consider the "Deacons" as "Assistants to the Elders" …
If the Elders are the "Shepherds" of the flock … you might say …
the Deacons are the "Sheep Dogs" …
Working with the flock … sometimes even more closely and intimately …
but not yet responsible for the flock … as are the shepherds.
They are directed by the shepherds … as they move amongst and work with the flock …
but they are privy to greater "inside plans and information" than others may be.
Since deacons already possess most of the qualifications of an elder …
the elders are obliged to "groom" the deacons to one day take their place as shepherds.
Thus … the well-being of the church is perpetuated … one generation after another.
Here is our conclusion of how God wants this church to accomplish His Work …
Pastors and Evangelists: overseeing, teaching and equipping the saints
Deacons: gaining experience as they assist the elders in their spiritual work
Ministry Leaders: coordinating with other members in specific tasks of service
All the Saints: using their own unique talents in the areas of service which come naturally to them
Every ministry … every work of service … every effort of this church should be to enhance our relationships with each other, with outsiders who are seeking God, and with our Heavenly Father.