Introduction
Too often, many pastors and church leaders put men into the office of deacon who have no idea what that necessarily means. This usually is the case when the appointing authority lacks a deeper understanding of what a deacon is? It is therefore important for pastors and church leaders to equip themselves with adequate knowledge regarding this subject as it is there responsibility to teach qualified men what deacons are and what deacons do. You can never understand fully what God expects of a deacon without turning to his Word and find out how the biblical word is used. No one should assume that he knows what a deacon is or does until he has thoroughly searched the Scriptures.
What is a deacon?
The Greek word for deacon is diakonos, and its basic meaning is one who renders a service to another, or one who ministers (Acts 6:1-6; cf. Rom 12:7; 2 Cor 11:8; Eph 6:21; Phil 1:1; Col 4:17; 1 Tim 3:8). In the New Testament, the word diakonos had such a broad meaning and usage. The verb form of the word is diakonia, and it means the act, or process of serving or ministering. When the word ‘minister,’ is used here, it is not refering to an ordained pastor. It means: to be a servant, an attendant, and one who wait upon. It is used to describe a minister, one that waits on guests (as a waiter or waitress), a person who supplies food and the necessities of life. It is sometimes used to describe the servant who would care for the poor or sick.
Historical background
The earliest fact recorded about the organization of the Christian church is given in Acts, 6, where seven men were appointed to what was referred to as the ministry of tables which is distinguished from the ministry of the word. As a matter of fact, during the early days of the Jerusalem church, Christians shared their food and possessions so that all in the church had enough for their day-to-day needs. At first the apostles administered this daily welfare, but as the church numbers increased, new arrangements became necessary in order to give themselves more time for the ministry of the word and prayer. Under their supervision, the church chose seven men whom they appointed over the work and the words used to denote these men and their work were all related to diakonos, the common Greek word for servant or minister. The same is also translated ‘deacon’ (Acts 6:1-6; cf. Rom 12:7)
It is therefore clear that as the early church grew in number and size, the apostles saw an increasing need to organize their affairs properly and it was at that point that the role of the deacon in church was birthed as the Apostles sensed the need for a division of pastoral responsibilities from delegated functions among the people of God. Since then, it has become a common practice for churches in general to have a group of people called deacons whose special responsibilities are more or less characterized by routine welfare service.
This is what has brought a clear cut distinction between the fivefold ministries and support ministries such as the deaconate. To a larger extent, the primary assignment for those belonging to the five-fold ministries (apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or evangelist) involve the ministry of the Word and Prayer whilst supporting ministries work in conjunction with the fivefold in matters of administration or serving tables as “ministers of service.” The five-fold ministries’ responsibility is embedded in the ministry of the word and prayer, while the deacons’ responsibility is service to the church.
Nevertheless, the story of the early Jerusalem church shows that a deacon’s service is not limited to routine or welfare activities as two of the seven administrators were also very useful preachers (Acts 6:5, 8-10; 8:5). Actually Stephen is described as a man full of faith and power, for he did great wonders and miracles among the people. Philip his counterpart also grew to become a mighty evangelist and the same is true in our time.
I know of many powerful ministers of the gospel today heading mega churches and overseeing a number of local and international churches who started out as deacons. They started small but their later end has greatly increased.
what then are the duties and responsibilities of Deacons?
watch this space for more Radiant Church Insights.
Beautiful piece
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Thanks, am encouraged!
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deacons do primary manual work but their also do this out of being inspired by the Holy Ghost no wonder the early church had to choose those who were filled with the holy Spirit………
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thanks for this powerful insight. am glad you took time to read through and drop a comment.
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Very profound teaching. You are a good teacher of the word. I was blessed reading your blog. Continue giving us more insight on the perfect law of liberty.
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Thanks Apostle. Am developing a leadership training material which is part of my book project. am encouraged by your comment. you are free to share the link on facebook timeline and tag a few kaniki friends and encourage them to drop a comment. i need more feedback especially from pastors and theologians.
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That’s profound apostle,very insightful desposition indeed.
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Great to hear from you. Thank you for taking time to visit my blog. If you have any suggestions regarding the topic at hand kindly inbox me on fb or via pastormoses10@gmail.com
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Very insightful and well backed up with scripture sir! I never knew God had given you a gift in writing! Keep it up sir and God will use you to write volumes in this our time i.e. periodicals, curriculum materials, manuals and resource books……..People should watch this space! I see God making you room and enlarging your territory!
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I say a big Amen to that. Thanks my chairman, would appreciate if you shared the link on your facebook profile and tag a some friends. I need some more feedback, you can also share the link on the Kitwe JG page on facebook and encourage the JG to check it out and drop a comment. Am actually writing a Book Titled “Church Without Spot” that will bring out “Exceptional Virtues of Spiritual Leadership for a Glorious Church” and the anchor scripture is Ephesians 5: 27. the information you just read will fall under the topic, “The ministry of Elders and Deacons.”
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Will share the link sir on the JG page. Looking forward to the book!!! I know it takes a lot of hard work but keep at it.
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Very well written man of God. Also your care to ensure that you edit your script well, have your flow consistent and your thoughts organized is worth mentioning.
In your next articles, also leave spaces between paragraphs and keep paragraphs small, I have learnt over time that for blogs this gives readers the feeling that your article is shorter. If you have long continuous paragraphs, readers get that feeling like its too long so they dont bother reading…
And by the way, add pictures too, they are very effective in solidifying your message further.
Good job!
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Noted thanks. I am very grateful that you actually took time to visit my blog and drop a comment. I will do exactly as you have recommended. What a Blessing you are to me. More Grace on you.
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it a well researched and articuljiatedo article that any serious church leader must read and think about. it has a deep insight and I am well informed. thank you sir
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Good to hear from you Asogoleli. if you would like to share some of your leadership insight on this platform let me know and we can work out something.
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This is an informative and educative article sir! Job well done. Looking forward to grabbing a copy of your book.
Just to add a thought or two; I propose that thorough understanding of this subject is critical and relevant to todays church if we are going to regain the prophetic space, place and influence in our time.
Like you earlier put it, the diaconate is a ministry in the christian church that is generally associated with service of some kind and varies across theological and traditional camps. For some its a clerical office and others for the laity.
The ministry and office of the deacon was intended to help the Apostles with taking care of the physical needs of the congregations thereby relieving the Pastor-Elder of responsibilities that would keep them from doing their best in studying the word, private prayer and teaching the word effectively.
Deacons are the shock absorbers of the church and their role is more service oriented and as such am of the view that if the office is upheld and office bearers appointed on biblical terms, we will see and experience a shift in the church.
Deacons require spiritual maturity and moral competence ( 1 Tim 3:8-13).
I end with the question ” where are Stephens and Pheobe kinds of deacons of our time in our churches? And why is it that a cross section of the church doesn’t appreciate and embrace this office?
Thanks
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Apostle, I am very delighted to hear from you, your contribution is timely and full of insights. I particularly love the line…”Deacons are the shock absorbers of the church and their role is more service oriented…” I have taken note of your two questions and will definitely take a study in that direction. You have provoked me to do more study on the subject. You will sure grab a copy of the book once its finished. Keep standing with me in prayer sir. My regards to mum.
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You’re welcome sir! We shall live to bless our generation and beyond with our gift of writing and publishing.
.
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If you wish to make any contribution through writing using this platform kind let me know via pastormoses10@gmail.com what your topic of interest are and we will make plans. thanks once more and my regards to mum.
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