Deacons The Office of a Deacon The Work of a Deacon The Qualifications of a Deacon Acts 6:1-6

Plan & Process for Deacon Appointment Lessons: Aug. 14 – Office of a Deacon Aug. 21 – Work of a Deacon Aug. 28 - Qualifications of a Deacon Sept. 4 – Acts 6:1-6 Names to be submitted – Sept. 4 – 18 Looking for 2-3 new deacons Names presented Sept 25 – asking for objections Objections due: Oct. 9 Appoint new deacons – Oct. 16

Deacons The Work of a Deacon

The Office of a Deacon Term Means: Special Sense Office of Work Lesson 1 The Office of a Deacon Term Means: Servant Minister Special Sense Qualifications More than saints Office of Work Under elders Job = work

Phil. 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”

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

Not Deacons - “office of deacon” Acts 6:2-6 “2 Then 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. 3 Therefore, 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; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And 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, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” Not Deacons - “office of deacon” Are Deacons - Servants Parallel in Principle

The Exact Duties of Deacons Is Not as Clearly Outlined as That of Elders Work is implied in the term “servant” Their work is assigned by the elders

The Work of Deacons I. Their Work

By Nature They Serve They are servants (Acts 6) Service work is honorable Jesus came to serve (Matt. 20:28) Today: minimize service - exalt one in authority Takes humility (1 Pet. 5:5-6) Work is encompassed in idea of “service” What does a “helper” do? What does a “slave” do? What does an “employee” do?

Minister To Physical Needs By Nature They Serve Minister To Physical Needs Serve Tables (Acts 6) Physical Matters Relieve leaders to do other things When they do – that is spiritual work! Many things that could include:

Possible Work For Deacons Care for needy Checking on needy family Seeing to the contribution and checking account Gathering information for the elders Do leg work on some project or purchase Maintenance on building Web page maintained Printing Advertisements Work list - teachers list Opening and closing building Class material - supplies ordered Lord’s supper preparation See that the building is cleaned See that sermons are recorded & distributed

Minister To Physical Needs By Nature They Serve Minister To Physical Needs Special Service Under Elders Under oversight of elders (Acts 20:28) Thus, work is assigned by elders Could vary from church to church Assist the elders - so elders do their work

The Work of Deacons I. Their Work II. Deacons Are Appointed Because There Is Work To Do

Men appointed because of need! Acts 6 Men appointed because of need! Appointment of servants because - service to do Why get housekeeper - if no house? Why get a mechanic - if nothing to repair? Why hire a carpenter - if nothing to build? Why go to a doctor - if not sick?

Men appointed because of need! Acts 6 Men appointed because of need! Appointment of servants because - service to do Not just an honorary office but one of work

The Work of Deacons I. Their Work II. Deacons Are Appointed Because There Is Work To Do III. Deacons - Those Who Can Be Trusted With The Work/Task Given

Deacons Can Be Trusted With Work or Task Qualifications - men that are trustworthy Acts 6:1-7 - wise, honest, full of Spirit 1 Tim. 3:8-13 - grave, not greedy, etc. In many places work not turned over to deacons Elders try to see to every detail Ill: see every person in need (Acts 6) If so, deacons do no more than anyone else Elders should give them task & leave it with them Eisenhower: Hardest part - “signing bad letter” Purpose - so elders don’t have to serve tables

Deacons Can Be Trusted With Work or Task Deacons should “own” their responsibilities Should not have to be reminded to get job done Take the task and see it through “Over this business” (Acts 6:3) – in charge of task A task assigned – not mean he does actual work Not expected to see to all the task himself May organized a group to get job done May hire someone (i.e. plumber, printer, etc.)

The Work of Deacons I. Their Work II. Deacons Are Appointed Because There Is Work To Do III. Deacons - Those Who Can Be Trusted With The Work/Task Given IV. Our Responsibility Toward Deacons

Pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-ff) Responsibility Toward Deacons No passage that specifically states responsibility Respect them (Matt. 7:12) Commend them (Matt. 7:12) Pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-ff)

The Work of Deacons I. Their Work II. Deacons Are Appointed Because There Is Work To Do III. Deacons - Those Who Can Be Trusted With The Work/Task Given IV. Our Responsibility Toward Deacons

The Qualifications of a Deacon Next Lesson: The Qualifications of a Deacon