Dr Kevin Blackwell

When I speak to pastors about the role of deacons, I typically receive two very different responses. In healthy, growing churches, pastors tend to speak highly of their deacons, viewing them as supporters who contribute to the church’s work and the pastor’s ministry through their servant leadership. In these environments, deacons are considered a great blessing to the ministry. On the contrary, in unhealthy churches, pastors often have a negative view of their deacons and dread the monthly meetings. They see deacons as a burden rather than a blessing. After serving churches for over 30 years, I can confidently say that when deacons step outside their biblical roles, it disrupts the church’s disciple making mission and discourages the pastor from being an effective leader.

I have immense appreciation for Baptist deacons. One of the proudest days of my life occurred when I was a teenager. On a Sunday evening at my home church, I watched as my father stood before the congregation, shared his testimony, and then knelt at the front of the church while dozens of men laid hands on him. This was his deacon ordination, and though I didn’t understand everything at the time, I knew it was significant. I also watched my grandfather faithfully serve as a Baptist deacon for many years. As a pastor, I found that when my deacons served biblically, few things encouraged my ministry more. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for some pastors. In many congregations, when there is a pastoral transition, the deacons begin to act as decision-makers. In these cases, the biblical authority that should rest with the pastor (elder) is absorbed by the deacons, and when a new pastor is hired, that authority is often not relinquished. This is particularly true in smaller congregations and is not a healthy model. Of the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 for pastors/elders and deacons the character traits are all very similar, but in the list for deacons Paul omits the phrase “able to teach.” Paul doesn’t mean that a deacon shouldn’t teach a small group or Sunday School class, he means that this is not one of his primary roles.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe a pastor should have unchecked authority. Within congregational polity, pastors are held accountable by the church’s vote in member meetings. Ultimately, pastors need the wisdom of a group of Spirit-filled deacons and should seek to inform them of the direction of the congregation. A wise pastor seeks to have advocates in the deacon body who have been among the first to hear his heart and vision. When a pastor feels he needs deacon approval for every leadership decision, it stifles the church’s mission. This situation may indicate that the deacon body has conflated the roles of deacon and elder, which is not healthy and is not how Scripture defines the role of a deacon.

The Biblical Definition of a Deacon

 The term deacon, as translated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, comes from the Greek word diakonos. This word appears 31 times in the New Testament and is generally translated as servant or minister. It derives from two Greek words: dia, meaning “thorough” or “complete,” and “konis,” meaning “dust.” Thus, a deacon is someone who “kicks up dust,” signifying that they serve with such passion that they leave a trail behind them. Diakonos is translated as servant or minister in every instance except for five where it is rendered as deacon. It is the same term Jesus used when he spoke to his disciples in Mark 9:35, saying, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” In the truest biblical sense, a deacon is one who serves first.

The Biblical Demonstration of a Deacon

The first deacons were chosen in Acts 6. While the title deacon is not used in this passage, the Greek word diakonos appears in 6:2: “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” In this verse, the word serve is the same term translated as deacon in 1 Timothy 3. In this context, the church leaders chose not to personally solve the issue but instead selected a group of spiritually mature men and empowered them to ensure the equal distribution of food to both the Aramaic-speaking widows and the Greek-speaking widows. This indicates that the position of head servant established in Acts 6 was recognized in the early church, as Paul mentions it in his letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3. Notice the result of the deacon’s service in verse 7: “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” A deacon should work alongside his pastor to create opportunities that allow the pastor to focus on being the spiritual leader of the church. It is also important to recognize that these original deacons demonstrated extraordinary service. When deacons understand their biblical role, the gospel is spread, disciples are multiplied, and the church becomes unified. Among those first deacons were Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose faithfulness in the face of persecution played a crucial role in Paul’s conversion, and Philip, who would become one of the greatest evangelists in history.

 The Biblical Duties of a Deacon

As seen in Acts 6, the office of deacon was established to enhance the church’s effectiveness by assisting pastors. This office arose from a growing crisis; however, deacons were not merely created to identify solutions—they were the solution. The apostles wisely appointed seven men “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” for this sacred service. Healthy churches have pastors (elders) focused on their primary calling to spiritually serve the members, while deacons address the physical, logistical, and organizational needs of the congregation. “Deacons are like a congregation’s Special Ops force, carrying out unseen assignments with fortitude and joy.” (Matt Smethurst, Deacons, pg. 39.)

1. Deacons are called to serve the Lord. Above all other duties, a deacon’s service to the Lord is paramount. They must view their role as biblical, God-ordained, Spirit-empowered, and as servants of God. When deacons fulfill their biblical roles, they honor the Lord; when they serve God’s people, they are ultimately serving God.
2. Deacons are also called to serve the members of their local Church. While deacons are leaders, their leadership differs from that of pastors/elders. Pastors oversee the overall leadership of the church, particularly focusing on the spiritual growth of the members, while deacons lead in organizing and assisting with the practical needs of the congregation.
3. Deacons are called to serve the Pastor/Elder. Again, in Acts 6:2, we see the rationale for choosing the seven: “Then the twelve summoned the multitude and said, ‘It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.’” Later, in 6:4, they continue, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Both pastors and deacons serve the church community, but in different capacities. Deacons must support their pastor and his family, empower him, pray for him, and help realize his vision.
4. Deacons are also called to promote the unity of the Church. The results of the deacons’ work in Acts 6 were remarkable, stemming from their commitment to unifying service. Many qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 are character traits that foster congregational unity. A deacon who is double-tongued, greedy, or possesses questionable character will contribute to disunity. A deacon should never be a source of division; doing so dishonors the Lord, harms the church, and disrespects this sacred office. Deacons act as “shock absorbers” regarding unity, helping to defuse tensions before they escalate. Many church conflicts can be alleviated through the servant-hearted approach of a deacon, who can quell rumors, gently correct misunderstandings, and spiritually restore a brother in Christ. Deacons should see their impact on the unity of the church because Jesus prayed for it. (John 17:20-21)

When pastors and deacons serve within their intended biblical roles it brings spiritual unity and health to a church. The Lord appointed the sacred role of deacons to be a blessing and to serve the mission of the church. I thank God for the thousands of Baptist deacons that are serving God and his people faithfully. These mighty men are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave when duty calls. Pastors and Deacons should model a unity for the church based on their biblical roles and Christ’s example.