JOB DESCRIPTION
Diaconal work encompasses three things:
1. Spotting And Meeting Tangible Needs - a church without a biblical functioning diaconate will struggle to remain focused on the central mission of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). The apostles knew that neglecting the ministry of teaching and prayer would severely hurt the church. Thus, diaconal work should involve nothing less that works of benevolence and mercy in the church so that elders can serve the church spiritually. Deacons must be capable of spotting these needs and setting out to practically meet those needs. They must also anticipate problems so that they are proactive and not just reactive. Godly deacons are needed, not people who flake out or don't return calls. They should be reliable and not need to be babysat.
2. Protecting And Promoting Church Unity - A contentious person will make a horrible deacon. Deacons should be humble, gentle, flexible and stand on conviction. Are they peacemakers not just peace keepers (Matthew 5:9, Proverbs 12:20)? Are they slow to anger and do they overlook offenses (Proverbs 19:11)? Do they unite and refuse to quarrel over petty stuff (1 Corinthians 1:10-11)? Is their impulse to agree in the Lord (Philippians 4:2)? Are they a 1 Corinthians 13 Christian? Deacons must not be people who are unhappy with the church. They must be eager to guard the preaching ministry through their service. Find people with the gift of encouragement.
3. Serving And Supporting The Ministry Of The Elders - Jesus is ultimate, so deacons serve at the pleasure of the elders so that Jesus is proclaimed through preaching. A healthy church should have elders and deacons. Deacons are not pseudo-elders. The idea of deacon carries the idea that they are subordinate to the elders, carrying out tasks assigned to them. Thus, diaconal ministry is not limited to mercy ministry. But it's not less than that. Paul's gives the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and in the next breath (1 Timothy 3:8-12) he discusses qualifications for deacons. Don't miss the fact that they are paired together. Deacons operate under the leadership of the deacons. They assist the elder. The deacon is tethered to the elder (Philippians 1:1).
TWO KEY DIFFERENCES
Elder and deacon qualifications are very similar but with two differences. Elders must be able to teach. That doesn't mean deacons can't teach, but it's not a qualification for them. Only elders are described as overseers. Again, that doesn't mean that deacons don't provide leadership in their areas of responsibilities, but they are not overseers over the whole church like elders are.
HEALTHY MODELS TODAY
1. Mercy Ministers - They care for the poor and needy. They ensure that the joy of redemption is experienced and shared by all. No one should live uncomforted in the church. Their ministry is primarily directed toward those in the church (Galatians 6:10). Our primary task is to preach the gospel, but that doesn't mean that we don't engage in physical ministry. The church in Acts 6 would not have grown if the apostles did not fulfill their calling to preach and pray. Likewise, the church wouldn't have grown if the seven had not risen to the occasion of meeting the needs of the widows. Deed ministry has always served Word ministry.
2. A Team Of Leading Servants - Some deacons deliberately and regularly meet in service to the elders.
3. Role-Specific Ministry Mobilizers - Roles are assigned to specific deacons. Some roles might include making sure that the sick and aged are cared for physically and spiritually. Another role might be leading the hospitality ministry. Some deacons tend to the property.
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