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Question: What are the duties of deacons?

     The term "deacon" is derived from the Greek word diakonos,
which is usually translated "servant" or "minister." The word
occurs in Phil. 1:1; and 1 Tim. 3:8,12. The noun form comes from a
verb which means "to serve." Though the word "deacon" is not used
in Acts 6, it seems that the seven men selected to wait on tables,
in order that the apostles might give themselves "continually to
prayer and to the ministry of the word" (v.4), were, in fact,
appointed to do the work of deacons. 

     These men served as assistants of the apostles. In the context
of 1 Tim. 3:8-13 their role is that of servants working with and
under the oversight of the elders. As is the case with elders'
qualifications, the nature of the qualifications of deacons
indicates their function. In many instances, the qualifications of
deacons are similar to those of the "bishops," the overseers of the
churches, which set forth the Lord's high standard of morality and
character. Deacons must have a clear understanding of the faith (1
Tim. 3:9) and that their faithfulness already be proven (1 Tim.
3:10). (You don't scripturally appoint an unfaithful man in order
to "encourage" him, or make him faithful).  
     It would be a mistake to conclude that their duties consisted
of mere menial chores. Their work of being "servants" and
"ministers" would cover a wide range. Both Steven and Philip, two
of the seven mentioned in Acts 6, could not only serve tables, but
could also effectively teach God's word. A deacon can certainly
clean the baptistry, but one of the elders might well ask him to
come along with him as they discuss a spiritual problem/need with
a fellow Christian. Faithful deacons stand ready to serve in
whatever right and scriptural area they are needed. 

Those who are "doubletongued" (1 Tim.3:8) are excluded from being
deacons. The work of the deacons may bring them into close contact
with the everyday lives and needs of the church members, as would
occur in visiting the sick and ministering to the other physical
needs of fellow Christians. Such service would both give them
greater knowledge of items for gossip and allow them greater
opportunity to spread such gossip, thus making it crucial that they
should not be prone to talebearing. (Holman's Dictionary) The
requirement that deacons not be greedy would indicate that they may
have a responsiblility for distributing church funds (again, under
the oversight of the elders).

Negatively: It is not the work of deacons to rule or oversee the
congregation. It is a common denominational practice to regard the
preacher as the pastor, and to regard deacons as elders, and have
no elders. In the Bible the elders, bishops and pastors were the
same, not different offices. The preacher is not the pastor; he may
be a pastor, IF he has also been appointed to that office, and is
serving with one or more other qualified men (there must be a
plurality, elders in every church-Acts 14:23).


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