Deacons for Grace Church
Grace Church is still a very young church—not quite 3 and a half years old. During those years we’ve appointed elders to lead the church, but we haven’t yet appointed deacons. That’s something we ought to do because we can see from Acts 6, Romans 16, and 1 Timothy 3 that deacons have an important part to play in church life.
Grace’s leadership team would like to appoint deacons, but we need the congregation’s help to identify the most suitable people for the role.
One of the differences between elders and deacons is that deacons focus on the practical needs of the church. The very first deacons were appointed to oversee the distribution of food to widows among the believers (Acts 6:1–6). However, it’s important to note that the Biblical requirements for the role concentrate more on godly character than practical skills:
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (1 Timothy 3:8–12)
Matt Smethurst, author of Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church, comments on those verses: “Fascinatingly, Paul doesn’t seem too interested in what potential deacons can do. His focus is squarely on who they must be. (Don’t miss this easy-to-forget lesson: God cares more about character than about gifting.)”
Grace Church’s bylaws allow for deacons to be either men or women. The scriptural arguments in favor of female deacons are set out in this excellent article: “Can Women Be Deacons?”
So please think carefully about whom you might like to nominate. Before nominating anyone, do check with them to make sure they’re willing to be nominated. Then you could email me or any of the other members of the leadership team with the name of your nominee[s] and a brief explanation of why you think they’re suitable for the role.
Finally, let’s pray for God to oversee this process and give Grace Church trustworthy deacons.
Yours in Christ,
Bernard