LeavesFrom a Baptist pastor-friend

It seems to me that the questions surrounding the role and function of deacons is much easier to observe in the NT than it is to translate into the contemporary scene. What are deacons meant to be about? Do we need them? What is the correlation between ‘deacon’ and diakonos, the Greek word meaning ‘servant’ or ‘deacon’? Is being a deacon something we are or something we do? And if it is both, what is that ‘doing’ to be about? In what sense can deacon and leader be synonymous or overlapping ministries? Who deacons the deacons? Do we need to develop a job description for deacons or would that be too limiting? Need it be? These are questions worth exploring. I wish I knew all the answers.

The move towards an eldership and diaconate such as we detect in the New Testament must certainly be advantageous. It is true that the election of what seems to be the most able people to carry out the tasks required within the congregation may not necessarily result in selecting good elders or deacons. However, this does not reflect on the office itself.

The following texts pertain to deacons in the New Testament:

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4)

Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1Timothy 3:8-13; cf. Acts 20:28)

The following texts pertain to pastor/elders in the New Testament:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:1-5)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:5-9; cf. 1 Timothy 5:17)

So the qualities required of leaders seems to be the following:

Spiritually: a.. Not a recent convert b.. Not liable to fall c.. Able to teach others d.. Loyal to apostolic truth e.. Willing to care f.. Proven spiritual standing g.. A servant attitude

Personally: a.. Integrity b.. Self-discipline c.. Gentle, not argumentative d.. Financially straight e.. Encouraging

Socially: a.. Hospitable b.. Faithful in marriage c.. Competent as a parent d.. Respected by non-Christians

There is no job description given in the New Testament for those called to be deacons. Indeed, it is not even clear when the office came into being. The passage usually quoted (Acts 6) does not mention deacons as officers and those appointed to a particular task in that passage are later called elders (Acts 11:30). The impression given is that deacons work alongside other leaders in the oversight of the church, helping and taking responsibility with them. The same personal qualities of character are required of deacons as for pastors/elders.

In later history, and in the development of the Baptist church, deacons came to be the management group around the minister. They shared with him the overall responsibility for leading the church. The particular tasks used to be related to caring for people in the church, but more recently they have become the practical administrators who support the pastors/elders.

The customary ministry of the deacon includes the following:

Caring for the fellowship by: a.. Being involved in pastoral care (this does not necessarily mean visitation!)

b.. Getting to know and love the members of the church and extending hospitality to them c.. Welcoming visitors to church d.. Visiting those applying for membership e.. Praying regularly for the fellowship

Leading in the fellowship by: a.. Example b.. Participating in deacons’ meeting c.. Taking a lead in the more practical aspects of the day to day running of the church, d.. Being available and approachable to discuss new ideas, visions, directions, concerns of members etc. e.. Contributing to church meetings f.. Serving at the Lord’s Table g.. Leading small groups h.. Using whatever your gifts are for the building up of the people of God

Caring for the pastor by: a.. Giving encouragement b.. Committed prayer c.. Providing opportunities for study d.. Ensuring an adequate salary e.. Ensuring needed time off f.. Providing administrative assistance and other support g.. Being a sounding board for ideas h.. Providing constructive feedback i.. Keeping him or her accountable

There are no perfect elders or deacons, no paragons of virtue and no faultless leaders, but to move towards such ideals should be our aim. The very fact that we are part of a corporate body, and the knowledge that the Holy Spirit leads his people daily giving gifts and graces to every member, should also be a deep encouragement to take on this vital ministry and vocation.

Much is being written these days about leadership and how the role of the leader is changing in a society where change is constant and rapid, making the environment turbulent and unpredictable. There is a knowledge and information explosion. There is distrust of institutions and the leaders of those institutions. And institutions are undergoing radical transformations or else they are dying. What does this mean for us who are called to be leaders of this congregation?

A few years ago, John Simpson make the following obserbations. I think they’re excellent.

Leadership is about: • Presence not power • Stature not status • Character not charm

An effective leader is one who is more concerned about: • Relationships than outcomes • Patience than progress • Grace than guilt

Inspiring leadership requires: • Internal security • A freedom from having to prove anything to anybody • An active willingness to help others achieve and receive the accolades which will accompany their achievement

Discerning leaders know ahead of time that: • The wheels fall off the best plans every so often – but there is always a spare • Failures and mistakes are the strategic components of any worthwhile enterprise – and are not panicked by this • Their style will not appeal to everyone so there is no purpose being anxious about trying to please everybody – it is a pointless exercise

Leaders who are at peace with themselves: • Have a much better chance of being at peace with others • Will be able to cope with the inevitable experiences of inadequacy and attacks of self doubt when the chips are down – these are par for the course – along with their rough edges (without losing too much sleep)

• Will not be overly bothered by questions which do not have immediate answers

Patient leaders who dare to have visions will: • Give time for the vision to catch on without getting frustrated by the slow of heart • Take special care of genuine critics and will listen to them and learn from them without necessarily agreeing with them • Have a special soft spot for others who are trying to shape visions too

Long term leaders (as distinct from “nine day wonders”) will set ample time aside for: • Regular and prolonged periods of quietness to hear what is going on inside themselves, to hear what the circumstances are saying, to hear the voice of Christ • Constant and growing familiarisation with the Gospel story and the principles for living which are found there • The practice of prayer in whatever way has real meaning for them personally

Creative leaders know where to look for the best resources. They start by: • Looking at their own experience of life and what they have already learnt • Listening to the stories of others and what they have learnt too • Borrowing, begging and otherwise acquiring anything which might have some relevance for what they are wanting to accomplish (but only as the final strategy, not the first)

Daring leaders have the happy knack of knowing: • How to bring out the best in the fearful and hesitant • How to inspire confidence in the faint hearted • When to be up front and when to get out of the way

Generous leaders: • Encourage the expression of points of view which are different from their own • Try to put the best construction on the behaviour of others – even when it has made life difficult for them • Affirm diversity and enjoy the synergy that comes with it

In the end, Christian leadership is about: • Loving the people you have been called by Jesus to serve • Who you are, not what you do • Believing that Christ has called you and equipped you to be the person he wants you to be (but not to bring in the kingdom single handed by tea time tonight!)