Whether you've been a part of the church your whole life or just a short while, I am sure you have heard the terms Elder and Deacon. The term Elder may be more familiar to you. I believe this is due to the nature in which this role operates. If we turn to Scripture, we can look at 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and read the qualifications an Elder must possess. In simple terms, Elders are called to teach and shepherd the flock God has entrusted to them. The church's Elders are the leadership team that have been instructed and called by God to ensure God's church is led well. The role of this position allows the Elders to be the face, more or less, of a given body.
If Elders teach and shepherd the flock, then what is the role of a Deacon? We can also turn to 1 Timothy to read of the qualifications one must possess in order to hold this role within the church. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 reads as follows:
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 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.
With the qualifications read, the next question is, what then is the role of a Deacon within the church? A Deacon's primary responsibility is to serve the church. Think of them as a servant to God and his people. This word “serve” has a weightiness other than that of a covenant member who is called to serve the church. Deacons come alongside the Elders and assist in the liturgy of the church, help to witness to the people, and bring unity to the body. Think of the Deacons as those who are called to work in the background, not aiming for attention to be on them, but to bring God glory in their service and prayer for the church. The service they provide is vital to the health of the body as a whole. When asked about the role of Deacon within the church your Elders said this ....”Deacons look after the physical and logistical needs of the body, so the Elders can focus on their primary job of teaching and shepherding.”
In preparation for this article, I asked your Deacons to give me a glimpse into what a day in the life of a Deacon at Restoration Church looks like. They had this to say.
“Being a deacon for the church involves communicating often about different
service opportunities among our people. The deacons meet frequently and map
out different needs we can assist with or even head up projects depending on the
situation we are talking about. A day in the life of a deacon is very fulfilling.
We get the unique opportunity to pray for, be there physically for, and serve
alongside our members with the hope that God’s love can be shown through us as
we do our job.
If you get the opportunity, thank our Deacons. The work they do matters and often goes unnoticed. Most important of all, pray for them regularly. Pray that God would guide them, pray for their families, and pray that the service they provide would help lead people to know and glorify Christ and his church.
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