(edited) We want to look at why the Deacon ministry is so important, but first, lets back up a moment. There are actually two necessary offices in the church connected to two kinds of ministry –
- Deacons who perform “table service”
- Elders/Overseers who perform “the service of the word”
There can be other positions created as there is need – e.g. trustees when you have property, buildings, or a church council for administration of programs, finances. But the two that you must have scripturally, and I think to be healthy as a congregation – are the offices of Deacon and Overseer.
Why are they necessary?
I think we understand the necessity and importance of the Elder office. Elders oversee the congregation to make sure we are faithful to God in what we believe and in what we practice.
But what about the office of Deacon? Is it necessary? Is it important? Lets look at this –
1. Caring for the poor, the weak and those in need is at the very heart of God
Psalm 145:14 says, “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 107:41 says, “he raises up the needy out of affliction.” This is simply who God is.
We are all to be involved in helping those in need, but we appoint Deacons to give leadership in this area, to make sure that as a community we act in accord with our heavenly Father.
2. Caring for the poor, the weak and those in need is a pleasing act of worship to God
Isaiah 58 talks about untrue worship – specifically fasting. This is where you go without food, but still treat others mercilessly.
Then we are told what true fasting or worship is – “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? . . . Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am’” – Isaiah 58:7-9.
The point is that those who offer this kind of worship – providing bread, clothing and housing – reach the throne of God and are blessed. God hears their voice.
We are all to be doing these kinds of things, but we appoint Deacons to give leadership in this area, to make sure that our worship is pleasing to God
3. Caring for the poor, the weak and those in need was at the top of Jesus’ priority list.
He spoke about it constantly. Here is one example – Luke 12:33 – “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” Take of your abundance; your excess and give to those who don’t have their basic needs met.
We are all as individuals to be involved in this kind of ministry, but we appoint Deacons to give leadership in this area, so that our community does what is right.
4. Caring for the poor, the weak and those in need is what Jesus did
Jesus says in Luke 22:27 – “For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”
Jesus is the one who serves, or “deacons.” Its the same word. And we know all that he did ministering to the sick, the poor, and the hungry.
We are all to be involved in this kind of ministry, but we appoint Deacons to give leadership in this area, to make sure that we do what our Lord did.
5. Caring for the poor, the weak and those in need is a true test of our faithfulness to God
1 John 3:17-18 says, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
We are all to do this, but we appoint Deacons to give leadership in this area, so that as a community we pass the test of caring for those in need among us.
In all of this it is plain that Deacons do what is most pleasing to God and they lead us as a community to do the same. No wonder that Paul says – “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 3:13).
How could they not be greatly blessed in such a service? And what a blessing to have good Deacons who will lead us in this ministry, so that we as a community will also be blessed.
William Higgins
Christian teaching 