Deacon Ordination
Besides the office of pastor/bishop/elder (3:1) the only other biblical office in a local church is that of deacon (3:13 cf. Phil. 1:1).
We all have the privilege this evening to participate in one of the most important events in the life of a church—The ordination of one of it’s own to the office of deacon.
What if this announcement appeared in your church bulletin?
It has come to the attention of the church leaders that many of our members feel their needs are being neglected. In order to care for
these members, the leadership is seeking men for the office of deacon. The qualifications are:
- A great personality
- A college education
- A 15-passenger van
For more information about the requirements for this position, contact I. M. Kidding.
Certainly, this “announcement” would never appear in your church bulletin. Deacons are not appointed to serve on the basis of worldly qualifications but on the basis of a servant’s heart.
The highest honor a layman can ever receive on earth is to be elected a deacon by the church. While it is an honor to hold the office of deacon, the office of a deacon is more than a title. A deacon is to USE the office, not merely hold it (3:13).
The word “deacon” (Gk. diakonos [dee-ak’-on-os]) means “to serve; one who executes the commands of another; a waiter; one who serves tables” (Strong). Essentially, a deacon is a servant. He does whatever needs to be done within his ability.
Deacons are never a ruling or governing board in the Bible. In a local church, a deacon is one who assists or helps the Pastor in caring for the needs of the church.
Deacon’s were ordained to relieve the pastor’s burdens, not to add more to him.
I. The CAUSE of deacons. Precursors to deacons is Acts 6:1-7.
A. With church growth comes problems (6:1). As a church grows the capacity of the pastor to meet all the needs of the congregation lessens. The office of deacons was created out of a need to eliminate murmuring in the church.
B. Deacons are needed as additional servants. It appears that the pastor cares of the spiritual needs of the congregation (6:2)
while the deacons care for the physical needs of the church.
II. The CHARACTER of deacons (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:8-12).
It has been my privilege to serve the Lord with three great deacons at Bible Baptist Church—Roy Turk, Jerry Jensen, and Tom
Wendt. I personally do not know of any other laymen of any greater character than these three men. Our church would not be
where it is today apart from the ministry of these three men. They all reflect the characteristics defined in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3.
A. He is a RIGHTEOUS Man. Obviously the man must be saved (Acts 6:3—“Wherefore, BRETHREN, look ye out AMONG YOU…”—The body of believers).
1. “Honest report” (Acts 6:3). A man the pastor and congregation can trust.
2. “Full of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:3). He is surrendered to the Lord and walking in the Spirit.
B. He is a RELIABLE Man (proven)
1. “Not double tongued” (snake tongue)— A man of his word. He can be counted upon. He will do what He says. He must not
say one thing to one person while saying something else to another. Since the deacon is sometimes the “middle man” between the pastor and the congregation, he will be tempted more to be double-tongued.
2. “First be proved” (v. 10)— He has a good track record. He’s been trained and tested. A man must prove himself first before
being installed as a deacon (cf. 1 Thess 5:21-22).
C. He is a REASONABLE Man (holding the mystery of faith)
1. Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3). He needs to be able to give counsel when the Pastor asks for it.
2. “Holding the mystery of the faith” (v. 9)— “The faith” is the entire body of revealed truth as contained in the Scriptures. A
deacon must have a firm grasp of the N.T. mysteries (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-2).
PARTIAL SERMON: CLICK HERE for full PDF
