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Xenos Adult Education
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Servanthood
1
A Class for
those Seeking Effective
Understanding
the Church
Qualifications
for Deacons
What
Deacons Do
The
role of deacon in the New Testament is ambiguous. The word literally means
"servant", but no further elaboration of the office is given.
This word can also be translated "minister." Some argue that the
deacons administrated the physical needs of the church because of the example
of the six men selected in Acts 6:1-6. While the word "deacon"
is used in vs. 1 ("ministry" or "distribution"), and
the verb form is used in vs. 2, ("to serve") the noun form is
also used in vs. 4 to refer to the apostles proclamation ("ministry
of the word"). Therefore, we have no reason to believe that the usage
of diakonia in Acts 6 is a technical usage, or that the ministry of the
deacon is limited to administration.
We think of deacons
as "under-shepherds" who were responsible for shepherding a
smaller sphere of the local church or other tasks as assigned, while the
elders were responsible for the overall leadership of the church. Deacons
appear to be under the authority of the elders. This is evident from the
fact that they are always mentioned after the elders, and also because
the requirements for deacons are slightly less strict than for elders.
Gender
Deacons
were both male and female. While some say the "women" in 1 Tim.
3:11 are deacons' wives, this seems very unlikely. If Paul was concerned
that deacons' wives be dignified so as to avoid reproaching deacons, it
is unimaginable that he would not make the same point to the wives of
elders. In addition, in Rom. 16:1,2, Paul tells us that Phoebe was a "deaconess"
of the church in Cenchrea, and that she held a position of considerable
influence.
Differences
From Elders
The
qualifications for deacons are very similar to those for elders, but omit
certain requirements which are expected of elders. Evidently, deacons
could be very young Christians (there is no "not a new convert"
requirement). However, they were still to be "tested" to ascertain
that their character and service were genuine and consistent. They do
not seem to need as much scriptural knowledge as the elders. They are
to "hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,"
which stresses obedience to what they know more than a sophisticated knowledge
of the Word. They are not required to be able to "refute those who
contradict" as were elders.
Qualifications
for Deacons
1 Tim. 3:8-12
The following qualifications are all of a subjective nature,
and therefore must be understood as comparatively true for deacons,
never as absolutely true. Also, we recognize that this is our particular
interpretation, applicable to Xenos Fellowship. The English is taken from
the NASB.
- Dignity.
"Likewise" means the foregoing description regarding elders
applies in principle. Dignity speaks of a respectable reputation especially
in spiritual matters.
- Not double
tongued means not insincere--not saying one thing to one and something
different to another. Not a liar. Straight forward.
- Not addicted
to much wine means no abuse or dependence on any drug--may include
regular use of alcohol even though not getting drunk, if inappropriate
dependence is demonstrated. There should be a demonstrated freedom not
to drink.
- Not fond of
sordid gain. Not willing to manipulate or resort to illegitimate
means for personal gain, either for money or recognition, especially
in the area of ministry. The person demonstrates a proper values system,
including a willingness to give up money making opportunities for the
sake of the gospel. This also implies that the deacon should be giving
consistently and sacrificially of his/her money.
- Holding fast
to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. "Holding
fast" speaks of knowing the Word, and "clear conscience"
speaks of doing the Word. This includes having a clear conscience
with regard to the service being rendered to the church (i.e. sins of
omission are also wrong).
- Tested first
and beyond reproach. Deacons must have a proven ability to do the
work of shepherding and service effectively and without any grounds
of accusation. In other words, we don't decide that someone is a deacon,
we recognize that someone already is a deacon.
- Not malicious
gossips. They demonstrate care not to exaggerate or to abusively
speak of others. This implies the ability to keep a secret where appropriate.
If the failings of others are shared, it is only with those in a responsible
position and for proper reasons.
- Temperate
comes from a word meaning serious, not given to excess, self-controlled
and emotionally stable.
- Faithful in
all things indicates reliability. It implies that we don't have
to worry when this person is given a job to do--the deacon will do his/her
best.
- Husband of
one wife. Literally a "one-woman man," this means specifically
that there is at most one person of the other sex in the deacon's life.
It means in principle that the deacon has his/her sexuality resolved
and under control.
- One who manages
his own household well. The primary application is to married men
meaning that their family life is good. In the case of the unmarried,
it means that they have close relationships and that those relationships
are generally healthy and stable. A pattern of broken relationships
suggests an inability to get along with others (especially your own
family and friends) and disqualifies a would-be deacon.
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