Descriptive Duties of Deacons
A Guidebook for Practical Deacon Ministry Through the Local Church
by
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Since the first century and the establishment of the first New Testament churches, there has been a need for both Pastors and Deacons to feed, lead and serve the Body of Christ. In the Book of Acts we read that the church was officially begun on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14) and “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b). The persecution faced by the early church only resulted in even greater multiplication and growth. But with the phenomenal growth came phenomenal need—particularly the need to tangibly serve and personally disciple thousands of new converts.
It did not take long for the first Apostles to realize they could not meet these growing needs on their own. Thus, they called upon the congregation of the disciples (young, but growing converts) to identify, enlist, equip and engage seven additional servants to help feed, lead and serve the church. This was done in a rather orderly way (Acts 6:1-6) and “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).
The actual process by which a church can attain Deacons is outlined in DISCOVERING AND DEVELOPING YOUR DEACONS (by this author, WestBow Press, 2015). The process involves identifying, enlisting and engaging servant-leaders for the local church. But once these men have been enlisted they will be faced with a life-long question: “Now what am I to do?” It is the intent of this book to provide some answers to that plaguing question.
In general, the Deacons serve the church. The earliest Deacons were expected to literally serve widows who were being “overlooked in the daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1). Over the years and with numerous cultural norms changing, the Deacon’s ministry has taken on new and somewhat different ways to serve. The basic tenets have not changed (i.e. to serve the needs of believers in the church and community), but the specific duties of Deacons have changed. Though there will almost always be a need for serving food—feeding ministries, food pantries, etc.—there are many other needs of a growing congregation.
It needs to be stated here that the Deacons, by themselves, are not fully responsible for meeting all the needs of the church. Many other volunteers from within the congregation will share that service. However Deacons can be men who set the example and lead the way. So, the array of duties delineated in this guidebook is not exclusive to Deacons. The duties are examples of the many needs faced by growing, multiplying churches. These are needs that require attention and will only be met when they are identified and a plan is initiated. Deacons can prove invaluable in this process.
The chapters of this book will deal with numerous ministry needs and practical duties required to meet these needs. But, in a more condensed version, the following duties identify ten areas where Deacons can begin to focus their service. So, if a Deacon is still asking himself, “What am I supposed to be doing?’ then these preliminary duties will get him started...
PRAYER...
ATTENDANCE...
MEETINGS...
SERVICE...
GIVING...
ASSISTANCE...
PASTORAL...
WITNESS...
FAMILY...
EMPLOYMENT...
These duties are identified in practical terms and organized under general headings familiar to most Deacons. These duties are indicative of what many in the church take for granted. Many members, other than Deacons, take on these tasks and do them well. However, the majority of the duties listed here are assumed by Deacons or Deacons’ wives—or as Deacon couples. Thus it is safe to say that these are descriptive duties of Deacons.
The title of this book is a good place to start as we seek to answer the big question, “What is a Deacon to do?” What a Deacon does is serve. Service inherently includes deeds or duties. These duties can be described and guidelines given for carrying out the service. The duties described are not particularly biblical (that is, listed specifically in the Bible), but they are certainly a part of most local churches today. So, this work is more of a Guidebook for Practical Deacon Ministry Through the Local Church than a theological treatise. Of course, it is assumed that the character and biblical qualifications for the Deacon are being reflected in every act of service.
In this book, you will read about some of the Deacons’ COMMON DUTIES with the Pastor and staff, some of the Deacons’ ADVOCATING DUTIES for the Pastor and staff, and some of the Deacons’ PRACTICAL DUTIES for the church. It is the intention of this author to order and describe these duties in such a way that the Deacon or Deacon candidate can have a thorough understanding of the ministry (service) options available to him. The various duties listed will be described and some will have examples and/or methods by which the deed can be carried out. As you read through the lists and descriptions you might be prepared to place a check mark or asterisk by the duties that you feel best fit your spiritual gifts, skills set or natural talents. Then, once you finish the book, you’ll have an identifiable list of duties that you can do.
No doubt, the lists offered in this book will not include all of the duties or tasks for a Deacon. You may wish to add others. But, never forget, the Lord is much more interested in why you are rendering this service than the service itself. The deeds you do, the tasks you fulfill, the service you offer are “as unto the Lord and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23)—even though individual persons will be blessed by it. Hopefully, if you can’t already explain your duties as a Deacon, you will be able to do so by following this guidebook.
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About the Book
Almost every church in America has selected and ordained Deacons for service to their congregations. Most of these Deacons have learned their duties by on-the-job experiences. However, many Deacons, even years after their ordination, still ask the question, “What am I supposed to do?” This book, Descriptive Duties of Deacons, answers that question in clearly definitive ways.
You need not feel overwhelmed, unsuited for certain areas of service, or burdened by watching other Deacons in your church and thinking you have to do everything they do. This guidebook shows numerous options for ministry that can fit with your spiritual gifts, talents, training, and personality. These ministry options will help you find your niche in God’s work.
God does not intend for you to do everything nor to do your duties by yourself. He has placed you in a local church where a Pastor, ministry staff, and numerous volunteers can serve with you. The various duties described here will help you to better understand what both you and your fellow Deacons need to be doing individually and together. Follow this guidebook, and you may never again ask the question, “What am I supposed to do as a Deacon?”
About the Author
Russell R. Cook has pastored four Baptist churches in Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma since 1971. He has been active in local, associational, state, and national ministries. He became the Director of Missions for Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association, a network of sixty-five churches and missions in two counties of central Oklahoma, in 1996. He and his wife, Marsha, make their home in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Together they have devoted many of their ministry years training Pastors, staff members, Deacons, and their wives for effective service to the local church. This is his third book.