Deacons in the Church: Church Harmony and Conclusion
Truths to Discover
Apart from the character qualifications we’ve already considered, the only place in Scripture that provides insight into appointing new deacons is Acts 6:1-6. Since no later teaching in Acts or the epistles alters or annuls this example and since this example follows a longstanding historical precedent in Scripture (Exo 18:21; Deut 1:13), it is fitting to view this scenario as a biblical case study for appointing deacons in a church. In this example, we find harmonious cooperation between pastors and the congregation.
Pastors recognized a need within the congregation.
As the pastors of the growing church at Jerusalem discipled new converts and mingled with people throughout the church, they heard a growing criticism (Acts 6:1). Greek-speaking Jewish converts complained that widows in Hebrew-speaking families were receiving preferential treatment, while other widows were being neglected.
The pastors agreed that this unintended problem needed to be resolved, providing all widows with proper care and guarding the church from division. However, they knew that solving this logistical problem themselves would diminish their ability to meet the necessary spiritual needs of the congregation (Acts 6:2, 4).
Pastors defined the need, outlined the qualifications, then asked for recommendations from the congregation.
The pastors of the church at Jerusalem did not merely select and appoint men to meet this need. They asked the congregation to recommend an appropriate number of men from within the congregation for this purpose (Acts 6:3). Doing this ensured that the church would appoint men whom the congregation trusted and respected, encouraging transparency and enabling proper representation.
Furthermore, the pastors requested a plurality of deacons. In fact, as with pastors, the NT always refers to deacons as a plurality (Phil 1:1). Multiple deacons ensure proper accountability and necessary teamwork to fulfill their tasks. For selecting these men, the pastors provided basic guidelines for the spiritual and personal character required to serve in this capacity (Acts 6:3, 5). Several years later, Paul provided more detailed requirements (1 Tim 3:8-13).
Pastors confirmed the candidates.
Once the congregation had selected seven candidates with unanimous consent, they presented the names to the pastors of the church. After affirming that these men met the necessary requirements, the pastors prayerfully and officially appointed these men to meet the needs of the widows in the church.
It is instructive to note that this appointing process, whereby the people receiving representation nominate representatives but leadership appoints them, appears in the significant OT counterpart to NT deacon delegation. In this scenario, Moses instructed the congregation of Israel to select men to represent them, having specific qualifications (Exo 18:21). He said, “You choose them and I will appoint them, so long as they meet the qualifications” (Deut 1:13). The church at Jerusalem followed the same pattern in selecting and appointing deacons.
Questions to Discuss
- What New Testament passage provides evidence for how to appoint new deacons?
- What Old Testament, historical example does this resemble?
- Who recognized the need for deacons?
- How did they learn about this need?
- Whom did the pastors ask to recommend new deacons?
- Why is it beneficial for a church to have more than one deacon?
- Who confirmed the qualifications of the new deacon recommendations?
- How did Moses show a similar example?
Conclusion
In summary, God intends for churches to appoint deacons who will relieve the pastors of a growing congregation from many of these duties. This enables pastors to devote more continual effort to prayer, meditation, counseling, teaching, mentoring, sermon preparation, and other forms of Bible study that will meet the spiritual needs of the church (Acts 6:4; 1 Tim 4:13-16).
Following this God-ordained strategy of delegation yields optimal results. In this arrangement, not only do pastors strengthen their focus and become more effective at meeting the spiritual needs of the congregation, but members also receive more efficient care of other important needs at the same time. This comprehensive increase of efficiency boosts morale, accelerates personal growth, and improves ministry preparedness throughout the congregation (Eph 4:11-16).
Beyond this internal upside, there is an external and eternal upside as well. This pastor-deacon arrangement improves the reputation of the church in the surrounding community and expands gospel outreach possibilities and effectiveness.
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.
Acts 6:7
