3 Biblical Duties of a Deacon
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“In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons… A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:8-10; 12-13).
If there is one word or phrase to sum up the role of a deacon, it is servant leadership (okay, that’s two words). The word “deacon” comes from the Greek word diákonos which means servant or minister. This word can also mean a waiter or anyone who performs a service. Those words denote what the role and duties of a deacon should be. While there are different ways a deacon can serve, I want to highlight three primary biblical duties of a deacon.
3 Biblical Duties of a Deacon
1. Addressing the Practical Needs of the Church
In Acts 6, we see an example of the practical role that deacons play in the body of Christ. A wave of growth swept through the early church, bringing in new believers at a rapid pace. It was a thrilling period for the church, with new believers being added to the community daily. However, with that expansion, there came inevitable growing pains. When people from various backgrounds and cultures come together, it's inevitable that challenges will eventually surface. This church was no exception.
A challenge that emerged involved the widows receiving their daily food supply. The Hellenistic Jews, who embraced Greek customs and language, felt neglected compared to the Hebraic Jews, who clung to traditional Jewish practices. They felt there was a disparity in the food distribution, and it created tension in the community. The apostles recognized this was a situation that required practical attention.
To solve the problem, the apostles gathered all the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables" (Acts 6:2). They didn’t say this because they thought the work was beneath them. Instead, they needed to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word so they could help build up and disciple these new believers. Therefore, they instructed the believers to choose seven men who were “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3), to take on this responsibility. This was probably the earliest model of what we would now define as the biblical duties of a deacon.
Notice these seven men weren’t called to preach or teach, but to serve. However, they were still required to be full of the Holy Spirt and wisdom, so even in tasks that don’t seem to get much publicity, you still need the help of the Holy Spirit to accomplish them. This absolutely applies to deacons.
These men were selected to handle a pressing issue that, if ignored, could have led to discord within the church. Their service helped maintain unity in the congregation and it met a crucial need of the people.
2. Freeing Up the Pastors to Focus on Prayer and Ministry of the Word
One of the biblical duties of a deacon in the church is to allow the pastor to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. In any church, there’s only so much a pastor can do. Sometimes we forget they are human, but they really are. They are more like you and me than you realize, and when you pull back the curtain, you see the demands on their time are high. Have you ever considered that pastors must shepherd, disciple, and lead all the people in the church? That requires a lot of time and energy, and we haven’t even included the everyday responsibilities that come with running a church. Pastors need help, and that’s precisely where deacons can step in.
The deacon is a servant leader. When they step in to help with the everyday responsibilities of the church, it gives the pastor room to focus on the spiritual leadership of the church. The duties of a deacon can take on many forms. They might arrive early on Sunday morning to make sure the church is ready for service. They may ensure the temperature inside the building is comfortable for the congregation, especially on a cold winter’s day in January or a hot summer day in August. When there's snow outside, you may spot them diligently clearing pathways to ensure safe passage for all. They might be carefully placing chairs, organizing the communion elements, and making sure every aspect is perfect for the service. These acts of service may seem simple, and may even go unnoticed, but they affect the experience of everyone who attends church that day.
Could the pastor do these things? They could, but when deacons take on these responsibilities, they lighten the load off the pastor’s shoulders. This allows them to focus on other aspects of ministry, like shepherding, preaching, and guiding the church in spiritual growth. Deacons are essential partners in ministry that help make the complete ministry of the church possible. What they do may not always be noticeable, but the effects of what they do help the church in ways that cannot always be measured.
3. Being Doctrinally Sound
“They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9).
While preaching and teaching may not be the primary biblical role of a deacon, being doctrinally sound should be part of the requirement for service. Serving as a deacon is not just about being willing to help, because if that was all that was required, then just about anyone could do that. Beyond the heart to serve, deacons must be able to stand firm on the truth of Scripture. This does not mean they need to be Bible scholars or have a theology degree. But they also shouldn’t be novices in the word, either. While their primary function is to serve, they should also have a certain level of spiritual maturity.
In the book of Acts, when the apostles needed men to take on the role of serving, they didn’t just pick anyone who volunteered. They specifically chose men who were “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Remember, these men were not just waiting tables, they were solving a crisis. This means being a deacon requires a heart aligned with God’s heart and a mind that can discern wisely. While preaching or teaching are not usually the primary biblical duties of a deacon, they should be able to articulate the truth of Scripture when needed. They may be called to pray, share a word of encouragement, or clarify biblical truths for someone. That’s why a deacon must be rooted enough in God’s Word to guide and support the people they serve.
When you serve as a deacon, people look to you as an example, both in how you live and in what you believe. Your grasp of Scripture should influence how you live, which will by default influence others. A heart to serve, being filled with the Holy Spirit, a wise mind, and being anchored in the word of God are necessary elements for someone to fulfill the biblical duties of a deacon.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
