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

3. Plan & Process for Deacon Appointment
Lessons:
Aug. 14 – Office of a Deacon
Aug. 21 – Work of a Deacon
Aug 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

4. Deacons
The Work of a Deacon

5. 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

6. 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:”

7. 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.”

8. 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

9. 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

10. The Work of Deacons
I. Their Work

11. 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?

12. 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:

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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?

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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: 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

20. 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.)

21. 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

22. 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)

23. 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

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