THE OFFICE OF A DEACON

Very soon after the inception of the Church in New Testament form, it becamequite obvious that the twelve Apostles were not able to handle all the demandsof the care of the church. They were not only required to teach and preach, butalso to minister to the poor by way of distribution of food and necessitiescollected on behalf of them. The Apostles no doubt concentrated on theirprimary duties. But soon, it became obvious that the ministry of mercy wasbeing given less attention, and the Grecians began to complain that theirwidows were neglected in the daily ministration. It was then that the Apostlescalled the church together and instructed them to choose “seven men of honestreport, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (Acts 6:3).

Purpose of the Diaconate

The immediate responsibility of these men would be to “serve tables” and theywere ordained to their office with the laying of hands (Acts 6:6). Although thetitle “deacon” was not given to the seven in this account, it is clear thatthis was what was intended, and the Church has from earliest times taken theseseven to be the first deacons. It is not insignificant that the word translated“serve” in verse 2 is the word diakoneô, from which we get theanglicanised word “deacon.” What does it mean to “serve tables”? The referenceto the table suggests that it has to do with the distribution of food to thepoor. But Luke has already indicated in Acts 4:32–35 that the Apostles wereinvolved in receiving and managing the monetary contributions of members of thechurch. This work pertaining to the stewardship of the funds would certainlyhave been the most time consuming aspects of the ministry of mercy. Thus, it isunlikely that the Apostles were simply referring to waiting at tables anddistributing food. In other words, the deacons were ordained not just aswaiters at the table, but as those responsible for the stewardship of the fundsbeing collected and the entire ministry of mercy. Furthermore, in speakingabout the “need” (Grk. chreia, translated “business” in verse 3)for deacons, the Apostles added: “it is not reason that we should leave theword of God” (v. 2) and “we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and tothe ministry of the word” (v. 4). The word translated “ministry” is also thenoun form of the word diakoneô. The Apostles, in other words, weredistinguishing their ministry pertaining to teaching (and preaching) and prayerfrom the duties that could be handed to the deacons. The ministry of teachingand prayer has direct spiritual bearings on the congregation, whereas ‘servingtables’ has more to do with the physical needs of the members. Thus, we mayinfer that the diaconate was formed not merely for the ministry of stewardshipand mercy, but for all the temporal affairs of the church. It was instituted tosupport the Apostles and later the elders by relieving them of anyadministrative or logistical duties so that they may concentrate on the care ofthe church in pastoring, overseeing, ruling and teaching.

Responsibilities in aModern Congregation

In the modern context, the diaconate would be responsible for duties such as:(a) collecting and counting the weekly offering; (b) maintaining the accountsof the church; (c) maintaining an active ministry of mercy by discovering ordiscerning and meeting the needs of members and friends of the church; (d)assessing and supporting missionaries in their material needs; (e)determination of salaries for remunerated workers in the church; (f) renting ofplace for worship or recommend purchases and oversee the maintenance of churchbuilding; (g) purchase, operation and maintenance of church vehicles; (h)purchase and maintenance of sound system and other necessary equipment for thechurch; (i) planning and ensuring the proper execution of duty rosters; (j)ensuring that everything is in order before worship services; (k) calling upand visiting the sick, as well as newcomers to our worship services; (l)initiating and overseeing the provision of helps to members needing them, suchas when they are shifting house or getting married; (m) publication ofmaterials under the direction of the session; and (n) organisation of churchconferences and camps. This list, it must be noted, is not exhaustive, but itdoes show the amount of work that is necessary in a modern congregation. Nodoubt, some of these may be done by ordinary members in the church, but it isnevertheless needful, as is so often the case, that the diaconate must initiateand supervise. Also, there may be occasions of significance when prudence willrequire that the elders of the church handle what would ordinarily be done bydeacons (cf. Rom 15:25–26). But in ordinary circumstances, the diaconate shouldbe able to function independently, though all consequential decisions must beapproved by the session, which is appointed with the power to rule the church.

What about Teaching?

The question is often asked: can deacons also teach in the church? My answerwould be that under normal circumstance and when there are enough elders whoare able to teach, deacons should not be required to teach. I say this for afew reasons: firstly, it is not the divinely ordained duty of deacons to teach,and therefore deacons have no authority to teach. It is true that Stephen andPhilip, who were both ordained as deacons, were later found to be involved inthe ministry of the Word. But there is no indication that they did so as partof their official duties as deacons. Rather, it is evident that they were laterbestowed the gifts of evangelists and it was in such a temporary charismaticoffice that they went about preaching and teaching. Secondly, it is generallythe case that a higher standard of doctrinal integrity with regards to theConfession of the church is required of elders. Thirdly, if a deacon is giftedto teach, and he is recognised by the church as such, it would be moreappropriate to have him ordained as an elder if possible. Fourthly, if a deaconis faithfully serving in the diaconate, it would be difficult for him to find timeto prepare the lessons.

Promotion?

Another question that is frequently asked is this: If deaconship is perpetualby virtue of ordination, then, is it possible for a deacon to eventually serveas an elder of the church? I believe it is. It is possible that Stephen andPhilip were in fact divested of their duties of deaconship before serving asevangelists. As such, the Church has generally allowed that deacons maysometimes be divested of their diaconal ordination and re-ordained as elders.Calvin, for example, agreed that “the order of deacons might sometimes be thenursery out of which presbyters were taken” (Comm. on 1 Timothy, p. 87).It, however, ought not to be a norm to choose elders only out of the diaconate.Neither should we speak of promoting deacons to be elders. The contrastingduties of deaconship and that of eldership suggest that the gifts required foreach office are very different. The gift of deaconship may be denoted “help”whereas the gift of eldership may be denoted “government” and “teaching” (see 1Corinthians 12:28). But certainly, it is possible that the Lord may, in Hisprovidence, endow a person who has hitherto been serving as a deacon with giftsnecessary for eldership. In the natural course of things, such may also be thecase when a deacon increases in knowledge as the years go by and so becomesmore and more qualified to be an elder.

Conclusion

May the Lord grant us that there will arise in our midst men meeting thequalifications of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:8–12, and also firmlyresolved to serving the Lord through deaconship. “For they that have used theoffice of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree [standing], andgreat boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 3:13). “For God isnot unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewedtoward his name, in that ye have ministered [diakoneô] to the saints,and do minister [diakoneô]” (Heb 6:10).

—J.J. Lim