The Deacon's Ministry

 

1.     Who in the Church are called by God to serve?  (Ephesians 4:11-12,16)

Pastor?   Deacon?   Sunday School Teacher?    Treasurer?    Secretary?    Janitor?

 

2.     The Deacon Role Established:  The Biblical Account (Acts 6:1-7)

¨      A murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.   (v.1)

¨      A conflict for the Apostles over how to spend their time    (v.2)

¨      The congregation selects men to solve their problems   (v.3,5-6)

-        The title diakonos (servant) translated into the word Deacon

¨      The Apostles keep the main thing the main thing   (v.4)

¨      God honors their resolution   (v.7)

 

3.     Qualifications (I Timothy 3,   Acts 6:1-7)

§         See other side …

 

4.     Duties

§         Haven FWB Church By-Laws (Based on Biblical Principle)

¨      Visit the members of the Church, giving special attention to the sick

¨      Encourage the members in Christian worship, service and stewardship

¨      Endeavor to promote peace, harmony, and the spirit of co-operation among the members

¨      Be diligent in their attendance to the services of the Church

¨      Arrange for the welcoming and seating of the congregation and the taking of the offering

¨      Assist the Pastor in the administration of Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Washing of the Saint’s Feet

¨      With the Pastor, be respon­sible for the spiritual welfare of the Church

¨      With the Pastor, arrange for revival services when deemed advisable and any other special services in the Church

¨      At all times render active assistance to the Pastor in promoting the success of the Church

¨      Perform all duties as outlined in the various Articles and Sections of this Constitution and By-Laws

5.     Summary

 

Role of a Deacon is Biblically ordained, and Qualifications are specified in Scripture.

 

Primary responsibility is to serve the Pastor and the members of the Church, and to promote the spiritual growth and general welfare of the Church. 

 

Everyone has a calling from God … a role in the Church.(Eph. 4)  Pray and seek God's will for your life.

 

Qualifications of Pastors and Deacons (Biblical)

Pastor (Bishop)

Reference

Deacon

Blameless

1 Tim 3:2

1 Tim 3:10

Being found Blameless

The Husband of One Wife

1 Tim 3:2

1 Tim 3:12

Husband of One Wife

Vigilant (Temperate)

1 Tim 3:2

1 Tim 3:8

Grave (Respectable)

Sober (Sensible)

1 Tim 3:2

Acts 6:3

Full of Wisdom

Of good Behavior

1 Tim 3:2

 

 

Given to Hospitality

1 Tim 3:2

 

 

Apt to Teach

1 Tim 3:2

 

 

Not Given to Wine

1 Tim 3:3

1 Tim 3:8

Not given to much Wine

No Striker

1 Tim 3:3

 

 

Not Greedy of Filthy Lucre (Money)

1 Tim 3:3

1 Tim 3:8

Not Greedy of Filthy Lucre (Money)

Patient

1 Tim 3:3

 

 

Not a Brawler

1 Tim 3:3

 

 

Not Covetous

1 Tim 3:4

 

 

One that Ruleth Well his own House

1 Tim 3:4

1 Tim 3:12

Ruling their own Houses Well

Having his Children in Subjection

1 Tim 3:4

1 Tim 3:12

Ruling their Children

Not a Novice

1 Tim 3:6

1 Tim 3:10

First be Proved; then let them use the Office of a Deacon

Have a good report of them which are without

1 Tim 3:7

Acts 6:3

Of Honest Report

 

 

1 Tim 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience

 

 

1 Tim 3:8

Not doubletongued

 

 

Acts 6:3

Full of the Holy Ghost

 

 

§        Their wives grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.     (1 Tim 3:11)

 

 

 

Qualifications of Pastors and Deacons (By-Laws)

ARTICLE 7: Officers

 

Qualifications of Church Officers and Other Participants

 

All must be active members, consistent tithers, and faithful in attendance at the Sunday School, Sunday Morning and Evening Worship, Mid—Week Prayer Services; visit once each week unless providentially hindered. Appearance for Men: always neatly dressed, side burns no longer than ear lobe, hair not hanging over collar, mustache neatly trimmed. Appearance for women: always neatly dressed, dress no shorter than three (3) inches above knee. No pantsuits worn during any church service. All must maintain a good Christian testimony and abstain from all sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world.

 

Relevant Scripture Passages

 

 

Historical Origin of the Deacon

ACT 6:1      And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

ACT 6:2      Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

ACT 6:3      Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

ACT 6:4    But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

ACT 6:5      And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

ACT 6:6      Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

ACT 6:7      And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

ACT 6:8      And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

 

 

Biblical Qualifications of the Deacon

TI1 3:1      This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

TI1 3:2      A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

TI1 3:3      Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

TI1 3:4      One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

TI1 3:5      (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

TI1 3:6      Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

TI1 3:7      Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

TI1 3:8      Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

TI1 3:9      Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

TI1 3:10      And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

TI1 3:11      Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

TI1 3:12    Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

TI1 3:13    For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.