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 untilhe 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?

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