Thursday, June 25, 2009

Deacons

1 Tim. 3:8-13 (ESV)
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] 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.

Deacons have essentially the same qualifications as pastors, but not the same job. What is called a deacon here, is what we often call an elder today. Elders were pastors where you find them in the New Testament. Deacons were tasked with the tables in Acts 6. They freed the pastor to do be about the gospel, teaching and praying. They weren’t there to oversee what the pastor was doing. The pastor didn’t answer to them in that way. If anything, it was the other way around. But it really wasn’t supposed to be an issue of rank or chain of command. The deacons served to help the pastor shepherd the flock. This only works if the deacons and the pastor have a good relationship.

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