Note: This lesson may be freely used and adapted for church training use, provided that the copyright information at the bottom of the page is posted on printed materials. 

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How a Servant Leads (teacher commentary for lesson preparation)
by Fran Trascritti

Commentary- a short study for the teacher

From Fran: It was an evening in Florida that I had my first contact with Henry, which came unexpectedly with a knock at my front door.  Henry, a deacon in our new church, decided to make a visit to us to welcome us.  Sitting in my living room, Henry began asking questions about us to get to know us and find out about our spiritual journey.  To be honest, at first I wondered why he was even there, but as we spent time together, I began to appreciate and understand his purpose.  After all, Henry took his own effort and time to make us feel welcome- what a nice introduction to our church’s deacon ministry!

Diakonos, the Greek word for deacon, means to serve.  The root meaning of the word means literally to “raise dust by hastening.”[i]  Strong’s concordance says that the word deacon may come from the idea that he is to be one who runs errands for another.  The various interpretations of the meaning of the word deacons, then, shows that they are to be servants, figuratively kicking up dust as they serve in their tasks.  Deacon servant leaders are very important for the church.  A servant leader cares for the people both inside and outside of the church, inspiring them to Come to Christ, Grow in Christ, Serve through Christ, and Share Christ. 

Often, people have similar questions about the deacon ministries in a local church.  What does a deacon ministry look like in the church?  How does a deacon ministry serve the church and the world as they glorify God?  Is a deacon ministry needed?  Finally, what about the men in the ministry- why should they even serve and who should serve?

1.        Deacons are men of integrity (1 Tim 3:8-13)

Qualifications for deacons: See 1 Tim 3:8-13

                                                        i.       Below is a commentary of the qualifications in this passage, adapted from Rolen Bailey’s booklet, Training for Servanthood[ii]: 

The qualifications listed are similar to those listed for the pastor in I Timothy 3:1-7. The standard of both character and conduct of a deacon is high and thorough. Yet no mention is made of the nature of the office nor is there a single duty suggested.  Deacons in the early churches of the New Testament period were selected on the basis of these Christian qualifications:

·       SERIOUS PURPOSE — "Likewise must the deacons be grave." (KJV/3:8) or, "Deacons, too, must be serious." (Williams/3:8) Semnos (grave) comes from the root word meaning "to reverence" or "to worship."  Persons in the presence of a deacon should feel reverence for spiritual matters. This seriousness of purpose would definitely include both optimism and humor.

·       HONEST IN SPEECH — "Not double-tongued" (KJV/3:8) or, "sincere in their talk" (Williams/3:8) "Double-tongued" means saying one thing to one person and something else to another. A deacon should thus be in control of their tongue. They should not deceive anyone. They should speak out for righteous causes. They also have the responsibility for being slow to speak angrily. Their word must be honest. Gossip, talebearing, idle talking, or slander are not a part of a deacon's nature.

·       TEMPERATE IN LIVING - "Not given to much wine" (KJV 3:8) or, "not addicted to strong drink." (Williams/3:8) The deacon should be free from any intemperance that would injure him/her and the family and make ineffective his/her Christian witness in a non-Christian world devoted to a variety of willful excesses in personal living.

·       STEWARD OF POSSESSIONS - "Not greedy of filthy lucre" (KJV/3:8) or, "not addicted to dishonest gain." (Williams/3:8) While deacons believe that material possessions are not evil or filthy, They are not controlled by a greedy obsession to obtain all the material possessions they can. They will have a caring concern for the needs of others; and they will desire to share material possessions with others.

·       SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY - "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (KJV/3:9) or, "they must continue to hold the open secret of faith with a clear conscience." (Williams/3:9) This means deacons should believe sound doctrine, and should hold firm to their convictions. Their spiritual integrity is above reproach.

·       PROVEN SPIRITUAL MATURITY - "Let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless."(KJV/3:10) or, "They too should first be tested till approved, and then, if they are found above reproach they should serve as deacons." (Williams/3:10) This means that they should demonstrate these spiritual qualifications before being elected. Their daily attitudes, speech, and conduct should be observed for an appropriate period by fellow Christians. "Blameless" means that no one could level a charge of wrong doing against them. Only after they have thus been tested and proved true should they be elected.

·       AS TO WOMEN - "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." (KJV/3:11)  The Greek word, "gune," means "a woman." When it is used in reference to a marriage relationship, it is translated, "a wife."  Though some debate these points, this passage likely refers to wives and not to deaconesses for several reasons:

o   If "deaconesses" was intended, a more specific word might have been used.

o   The list of qualifications for women is too brief to refer to a category of officials.

o   Women church officials are treated at length later on in 5:9-16.

o   The sequence of thought is less awkward if "wives" rather than "deaconeses" is meant.

o   Deacons' wives would often accompany their husbands in visitation and thus would also need to possess certain important qualifications.  IT would make sense that Paul was referrin to the deacon and his wife as an example to the church.

The word GRAVE is the same word used in 3:8. The word SLANDERERS means to lead across, lead along, disgrace, accuse, defame. SOBER is the same word used in connection with a pastor in 3:2. It means to be calm, dispassionate, circumspect (attentive to all circumstances or consequences). The word FAITHFUL is used in the sense of fidelity, of being true to the trust placed by others.

·       CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE - "Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well." (KJV/3:12) or, "A deacon, too, must have only one wife, and manage his children and household well." (Williams/3:12) Dr. William E. Hull interprets this to mean at least three things:

o   First, it demands that a deacon maintain a healthy view of the home—seeing marriage as a calling within the will of God and seeing children as a stewardship responsibility given by God.

o   Second, the deacon is to be a model of faithful devotion to one wife; any type of immoral or extramarital relationship is repudiated.

§  The wording of the original Greek suggests that the deacon is to be a “one woman man”. 

§  This is interpreted by many commentators that married deacons are to show a loyalty and love for their wives and families that occurs over several years.  The greater point is that a deacon has proven capable of maintaining a long term relationship to his wife.  If so, then this is likely to be proof that his loyalty can also extend to the church (Eph 5:22-28).

o   Third, it reminds the deacon of his commitment to the sanctity of the marriage bond which is to continue "so long as you both shall live." The scripture is silent about a single man serving as a deacon. Therefore, we assume that they, too, are qualified on this point if they have this Christian understanding of family life.

2.        Deacons serve the Lord by serving the church

Churches in the Southern Baptist Convention have defined two church offices from the Bible: pastors and deacons.[iii]  As we just saw, deacons, the lay leaders within the church, are charged to “be beyond reproach” (1 Tim 3:10) in their service to the church.  The deacons that serve well will gain respect from the church and in their faith in Christ (1 Tim 3:13).  Deacons serve both God and man, and are a valued part of the church.

Throughout the history of the SBC, leaders have called for many different duties for the deacons, with various results.  Much of the thinking over the years has come from the writings of R. B. C. Howell, the second president of the SBC, who in 1846 stated that the deacons were to be “placed over temporal affairs…the regular and incidental expenses of worship…the poor of the church.”[iv]  

Over the years, the roles and behavior of deacons have changed, often depending on the cultural setting and need.  At times, deacons have managed the church on a day to day basis, counted and spent church funds, ruled church committees, and even at times hired and fired pastors.  However, do these duties bring out the definition of the word deacon?  Hardly – these are more authoritarian than servant like! 

However, the opposite problem can also happen.  Some churches, in being afraid of creating “deacon boards” give deacons little to nothing to do.  For example, some churches only ordain their deacons, call them servants, and give no real direction or guidance other than to serve the Lord’s Supper.   

So then, what does a deacon do?  Here’s how we have applied the ministry of the deacon here at our church...

Our ministry is based on two principles: scriptural authority and congregational decision making.  This is achieved by applying the Bible to everyday church life and carrying it out in church agreement and unity.  95% of all of the church should be on ministry teams or participate in ministry team events.  All ministry efforts balance others.  Pastoral authority is balanced by the deacon ministry and the ministry teams.  The deacon ministry is balanced by the pastor and the ministry teams.  The ministry teams are balanced by the pastor and the deacons.  These balances help the church to function effectively and in unity. 

·       The primary function for pastors is to lead and teach (1 Tim 3:1-7).  This does not mean that pastors do not minister to the people, but the primary ministry is to teach and lead- the ministry of the Word.  Pastors that love their church are to work hard at preaching and teaching so that the church may grow in the discipline of the Word. 

·       The primary function for the deacons is to minister to people.  This means that deacons serve people by caring for them through financial, physical, spiritual, and emotional support.  Deacons can show their love to the church by praying, listening, encouraging, helping, and assisting those in financial need.

·       The primary function for the ministry teams and leaders is to serve and share.  This means that the ministry teams carry out various tasks in outreach, teaching, fellowship, and worship.  The ministry teams and leaders show their love to the church by operating in unselfish ways to reach and teach both new and mature believers.

But what about the Deacons?

Deacons at our church are assigned to Sunday School classes.  This allows the deacons to know and respond to needs that come up in Sunday School classes.  The deacons work with and support the care ministries already in existence in most Sunday School classes.  If you do not know who your deacons are, find out who your class deacon is to the class and obtain his contact information.

Close: What can you do?

o   Prayerfully choose servants to elect

Read Acts 6:1-7.  Notice that the men chosen in this passage were men of integrity and contributed to the ministry of the church in serving tables.  The church chose from among themselves the men who were to serve.

We happen to choose our deacons during the month of January.  Note these facts:

You will have the chance to submit the names of men that you feel are qualified and possess a servant’s heart to minister to the needs of the church and also to the world.  Be careful and prayerful on this- deacon selection is not a popularity contest, a reward for length of time spent in the church, or a way to “get someone more involved” that is not currently involved.  Last, deacon selection is a time of prayer and meditation to seek who God would have you submit.  This person should be a servant leader who truly cares for and ministers to people already.  The church as a whole will be able to vote to elect deacons in March. 

o   Prayerfully consider serving if asked to serve

For the men, if asked, then it should mean something that someone in the church has thought prayerfully enough to nominate them in the first place.  Encourage them to pray about this decision, especially since God can use them to serve others in your Sunday School class!

For the wives and women- if their husband is asked, encourage them to pray for and discuss how God would use them in this vital ministry.  Remember, the deacon ministry can be even more effective if done with a team effort of a husband and a wife!

o   Pray for your servant leaders. 

Deacons carry a calling and a burden to serve.  Pray for the deacons as they serve the church members physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.  Pray for their time to have a healthy balance of family, work, and ministry.  Pray for their marriages, that they will be strengthened.

Last, pray for this lesson as you teach your class about the value of the deacon ministry