Harrison Hills ^{Baptist Church}

Working to help in the Name of Jesus!
Deacon Chair -

In accordance with the meaning of the work and practice of the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the church. The task of the deacon is to serve with the senior pastor and staff in performing pastoral ministries tasks: proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for church members and other persons in the community; lead the church to achieve its mission.

Our active deacons are:

• Thomas Zambella
• Michael Carr

Have you ever asked that question about a deacon? Maybe you knew what role a deacon filled at a previous church, but it doesn’t seem to hold here? Why do the deacons here seem to do everything? Is that because they are a deacon or because they also hold another position? I shall attempt to answer these and many other questions for you so you may better understand what your deacon can do to help you and also encourage our men to become deacons.

1. What is a deacon? In both the broadest and simplest sense of the word, a Deacon is a “servant.” We get our clearest understanding of what a deacon is in Acts 6:1-7 which tells the story of the first deacons, the most noteworthy being Stephen who would go on to become a martyr. Secondly, we find the qualifications for a deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. As implemented at Harrison Hills there are only two offices; a deacon is a deacon, NOT a bishop, overseer, presbyter, nor elder all of which are a separate office, which typically falls under the name of pastor, associate pastor, or pastoral intern. Likewise, pastors (associate, intern, or otherwise) are NOT deacons. This is not a dogmatic rule, it is simply how things have been done historically here at Harrison Hills.

2. What does a deacon do? According to the passage in Acts, a deacon “serves” to free up the pastor(s) to “give [them]selves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” In other words, a deacon does the “stuff” that allows the pastor(s) to lead ministry. For example, a pastor shouldn’t have to worry about making sure the building is locked or controlling traffic in the lobby. Also, as a church grows, the pastor can not visit with everyone to know every need all the time. That’s why we also follow a “deacon family ministry” approach here. This allows us to place our families in more manageable sized groups under the watchcare of a deacon (or maybe associate pastor) to discern individual pastoral needs, take care of that need if possible, and relay the need back to the pastor. If you don’t know who your family deacon is, please ask!

3. How do you become a deacon? According to Acts 6:3, they are chosen by the body as “men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” Additional character requirements are listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 which makes reference to similar traits for an overseer, bishop, presbyter, or elder. However, there are no duties listed here. In practice, the body submits names of men fitting the qualifications, who are then “tested” which is done by holding an interview by appointed deacons and pastors. Having been tested, they are then presented back to the church body for appointment. If a man is becoming a deacon for the first time, there is also an ordination service to recognize this new chapter in a man’s growing service to the Lord.

I personally believe the New Testament teaches that all Christians MUST be servants. Furthermore, I believe the Bible teaches that all Christians should work and strive to lead Godly lives exhibiting the Godly character required of a deacon. Finally, I believe that all Christian men living as Godly servants, should not deny the calling of God to become a deacon as they grow from milk-drinkers to meat-eaters.

From the Bylaws: In accordance with the meaning of the work and practice of the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the church. The task of the deacon is to serve with the senior pastor and staff in performing pastoral ministries tasks: proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for church members and other persons in the community; lead the church to achieve its mission.

References:

Acts 6 - Seven Chosen to Serve
¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ²Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
⁷Then 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.

1 Timothy 3 - Qualifications of Deacons
⁸ Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. ¹¹Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹²Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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