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Dear Grace Church,

Our church is in the midst of a deacon selection process, and nominations have been coming in. I encourage you to listen to last Sunday’s sermon if you missed it, as it clarified our process and the role of deacons from Acts 6. You can listen to it here: https://sunbury.church/podcasts/media/2025-10-19-growing-pains-godly-solutions

Now, throughout our Acts sermon series we’ve addressed deacons, but I’d like to further explain the office of deacon and what we are doing as a church. For many, the concept of deacons may be unfamiliar. Perhaps you’re new to the faith, or you’ve come from a church that lacked a healthy model of deacons. Some churches have misused the office of deacon by conflating it with elders or other leadership teams.

According to the New Testament, a deacon is both a servant and a “shock-absorber.” In Acts 6, when conflict arose over neglected widows, the apostles had the church choose seven men to address the need. These men preserved unity by ensuring fair distribution of food, acting as shock-absorbers to diffuse tension. Their work also freed the apostles to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. In fact, the term deacon means servant, and deacons indeed serve the church’s practical needs. By caring for physical and logistical matters, deacons support the church’s spiritual health and unity. There is nothing “unspiritual” about a deacon’s work; it is a vital ministry of practical service.

While deacons are not the congregation’s primary spiritual leaders, their character is of utmost importance. 1 Timothy 3:8–13 lays out qualifications: a deacon must be dignified (worthy of respect), sincere (not double-tongued), not addicted to wine, not greedy for gain, firm in faith with a clear conscience, tested and blameless, and faithful in managing family. In short, deacons should be mature believers who exemplify integrity, self-control, sound faith, and a servant’s heart.

Scripture emphasizes character over skills for this office. Deacons are chosen for their track record of peacemaking and service, not merely for administrative expertise. Their godliness is crucial because they often handle tasks and help preserve unity through their service.

The Bible establishes two distinct church offices: elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3). Elders (also called pastors/overseers) lead and shepherd the church through teaching and spiritual oversight, “directing the affairs of the church” (1 Tim. 5:17). Deacons, by contrast serve under the elders’ leadership to meet practical needs “elders lead ministry, and deacons facilitate ministry.” Deacons are not required to teach, nor do they exercise the authority that elders do. The office of deacon should never be conflated with that of elder. The two offices are complementary, not interchangeable, and when each functions in its proper role, the church is well served and unified.

Unfortunately, some churches have treated deacons like a ruling board or an advisory council with power. This is not the biblical model. In the New Testament, deacons were never a governing body; they were servants. Deacons have no ruling authority and should not function as a board of directors for the church. Adopting a secular corporate model for office of the deacon creates confusion. As one author warns, “Becoming deacon-led may allow a church to function pragmatically, but it is not functioning in the way the Lord has required or desired.” In other words, when deacons attempt to do the elders’ job, the church departs from God’s design.

Also, using unbiblical leadership titles can obscure God’s plan. There are no biblical qualifications for positions like “trustee” or “council member,” but Scripture does provide qualifications for elders and deacons. We should stick to the biblical offices and titles that God has ordained. Deacons are not a second power center in the church; they are humble servers of mercy who work under the oversight of elders to promote unity and meet needs.

Church, this is not a minor role as their service is honored in Scripture – those who serve well as deacons “gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith” (1 Tim. 3:13). As we prayerfully select deacons, let’s seek men who display a Christlike servant heart and godly character.

For the Church,

Pastor Jordan