A note from our Pastor:

”Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”

1 Timothy 3:8

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week, the Apostle Paul moves from providing Timothy with instructions for calling a pastor to instructions for selecting deacons. Details regarding the office of deacon in the New Testament are scattered and incomplete — often times being more casual references than full instructions. The office clearly originated in the church in the earliest of days. At the most essential level, the deacons are supposed to support the pastor in carrying for the operational aspects of the church.

While many of the characteristics of a qualified deacon are the same or similar to the characteristics of a qualified pastor, the application of them and importance of them are different because of the differing roles. To this point, it should be noted the characteristics which are not included. The Apostle never mentions a deacon needing to be able to teach. Many churches and pastors through misguided good intentions have placed this responsibility on deacons but doing so is not scriptural. Should a deacon have a desire to share a word of exhortation to stir the congregation it is certainly appropriate but deacons have a functional role in the congregation which does not require teaching or instruction in the word of God.

In this first list of characteristics the Apostle lists four traits to consider in selecting one to be a deacon. Two of those — being grave and not given to much wine — are important but not ones to be focused on here. It certainly is important for the deacon to be sober minded and focused on the things of God. It is also important for them to avoid being in situations where they might behave in an inappropriate way given their representation of the congregation.

More importantly though, the deacon must not be doubletongued as the Apostle phrases it. This word simply means a gossip. A deacon is responsible for carrying for those in the congregation who are in need. Whether through distributing financial resources, providing guidance on worldly matters, or distributing resources. As a result, the deacon is knowledgeable about matters a member of the congregation might not want known publicly and is responsible for keeping those items in confidence. Furthermore, the deacon is responsible for helping the poor whether part of the congregation or not and should not carry a mindset of judgement and condemnation for those in need.

Lastly, the deacon is responsible for the care of the finances of the community of believers. All members of the congregation are responsible for giving and offsetting the costs of the congregation but the deacon has unique responsibility for managing the costs and finances. As a result, the community of believers needs to have full trust in the deacon and not question the handling of those finances.

While the New Testament is not overtly clear on the role of deacons in the community of believers it is important to consider the guidelines provided.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah