Deacons in the Church Series
Part 3
Deacon Ordination
By Dave Redick
Hwy 20 Church of Christ
Sweet Home, Oregon
In a modern congregation there are a host of essential tasks that need to be done, from distributing funds to members in need to managing building and grounds and providing transportation. Any one of these has the potential to sidetrack the ministry of the word if assumed by elders and/or evangelists.
Introduction
Today is a very special day in the life of our congregation. Lord willing, during this service, we will ordain four men whom God has selected through you to serve as deacons in this church.
Our service this morning is the fruit of a process that began in early summer of this year. At that time I taught for several Sundays on the role and qualifications of the office of deacon. I said at that time that the elders and I believed that we had men among us who could be appointed to this office. Following that, you were asked to nominate men whom you believed would be qualified to serve in this capacity. Six men were nominated whom the elders and I believed met the qualifications laid down by the Bible. We then asked you to approve these six men. You responded by turning in your approval sheets. Two of the original six men, after they received your approval, decided that they would prefer to continue serving without the deacon title, and so withdrew their names. Today we will bring before you the remaining four.
First century churches of Christ, directed by living apostles, were served by deacons. Deacons are addressed in the biblical letters. We see them in action in the book of Acts. A list of their qualifications is given in 1 Timothy 3. We have ample Biblical precedence for what we do here today.
I'm going to give you a brief review of the subject of deacons in the church. Then we will proceed with ordaining the four men you have chosen.
My review has four very brief points that should be easy for you to follow: 1) Deacons Addressed; 2) Deacons Appointed, 3) Deacons Assessed, and 4) Deacons Appreciated.
1. Deacons are Addressed in Philippians 1:1.
(Read Philippians 1:1)
Notice from Paul's salutation in this letter that the church in Philippi had "overseers and deacons."
From Acts 20 (1) we know that "overseers" are elders. Thus, from here and elsewhere, we know that congregations set up under the direction of living apostles had elders and deacons.
It is our conviction that congregations today should follow the pattern for the church left to us by the Apostles of Christ. Thus, like the ancient church at Philippi, when properly set up, congregations will have "overseers and deacons."
Presently in our congregation has both elders and deacons. It is our desire today to add four more deacons.
2. Deacons are Appointed in Acts 6.
(Read Acts 6:1-7)
When we studied this subject before, I pointed out that though the word "deacon" does not appear in this passage in our English translation, several forms of the word are there in the original language. The Greek word for deacon is diakonos. A related form of it, diakonia, appears twice in these verses - verse 1 in the word "serving" and verse 4 in the word "ministry."
The word "deacon" used generically simply means "servant." In this passage, however, we see that the seven men appointed in the Jerusalem church were more than generic servants. They were specifically qualified and selected servants. "Choose from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task." The men chosen were deacons.
We see from this passage that these men were appointed for a very important purpose. The twelve told the congregation, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task, but we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."
The main reason the original deacons were appointed was so that the Apostles wouldn't get sidetracked from their preaching and teaching responsibilities. We might put it this way: Deacons "deak" so that preachers can preach and teachers can teach.
In a modern congregation there are a host of essential tasks that need to be done, from distributing funds to members in need to managing building and grounds and providing transportation. Any one of these has the potential to sidetrack the ministry of the word if assumed by elders and/or evangelists.
In this congregation, we have isolated eight areas of service in which our deacons could conceivably work. They are:
 | Building Maintenance |
| Lord's Supper to Shut-ins |
| Sunday School Superintendent |
| Grounds Maintenance |
| Electrical/Plumbing |
| Transportation for elderly |
| Benevolence |
| Janitorial/Custodial |
Some of these areas are already served by people who are not deacons. We appreciate their work in these areas and it will continue just it has in the past. We don't intend to disrupt those who are now serving. Appointing additional deacons, however, should allow us to fill in the areas that still need attention.
The seven men in Acts 6, according to verse 3, were "put in charge" of the needed area of service. Likewise, our deacons will be "put in charge" of these various areas. Each deacon will have one or more specific responsibilities. He may choose to do the work himself or he may enlist the help of others to see that it is done.
Note also from Acts 6 that the congregation selected the original deacons according to the qualifications the apostles laid down, then the leaders ordained them. This is what we have done and will finish doing this morning.
3. Deacons are Assessed in 1 Timothy 3:8-12.
By "assessed," I mean qualified. The men who serve the church as Deacons are required to meet certain qualifications.
(Read 1 Timothy 3:8-12)
In the early church, not just anyone could serve as a deacon. His life was first to be assessed against these qualifications. These qualifications were not optional. It says in verse 8, "Deacons must be… ." Though no deacon will ever be perfect, we can see that those chosen to serve in this capacity were men who took their faith very seriously and were making good progress in their spiritual lives.
By the way, you might note that, though similar, the qualifications for deacons are not the same as those for elders. Most notably among the differences, the elder is required to have "children who believe." This is not required of a deacon, thus, a deacon can be a younger man. Also, the elder is required to be "able to teach." Again, this is not required of a deacon.
When we began this process of selecting men to serve as deacons in this congregation, we gave each of you a list of qualifications taken from Scripture with a brief explanation of each. We asked you to make your nominations with these requirements in mind. Thus, the following four men have been approved to meet the qualifications and also consented to be appointed:
(Deacon Candidates names here)
I know each of these men personally and I have great confidence that every one of them will serve well in this office. You have chosen well. I and the elders appreciate your part.
4. Deacons are Appreciated in 1 Timothy 3:13
(Read 1 Timothy 3:13)
Just why would a man assume such an office of voluntary service in the church? Given the fact that most of us are busier with life than ever, why would a man want to be a deacon? It's not a paid position. Wouldn't it be better just to "lay low" and avoid becoming too involved?
I suppose each of the men you have selected has his particular reasons, but I suspect in each case it has to do with having the mind of Christ. A man assumes the office because He loves the Lord Jesus.
In that awesome passage in Matthew 25 that describes the Great Judgement, Jesus said in verse 40, "to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." When we serve one another, we serve Christ.
Of course, Matthew 25 wasn't written exclusively to deacons. It was written to all of us. We should all serve one another. If we miss that point, we've missed the faith. Yet ideally, the deacon steps out of a crowd of servants to assume the special role of a special servant. Anyone who grows in his service to the point of meeting those qualifications we just looked at has proven himself to be a faithful servant of Christ.
Getting back to 1 Timothy 3:13, there are two things Paul tells us the deacon obtains for himself.
| He obtains a high standing in the faith. |
The office of deacon is an honored position. We as a congregation need to esteem the men who serve among us as deacons. They give of their time freely and willingly because they love Christ. They are men who have striven to be acceptable to God, which is the very thing that makes them acceptable for their office. Any man who has come to the place of meeting these qualifications deserves to be held in high standing among us, just as this verse says.
| The deacon also obtains great confidence in the faith. |
Becoming a deacon is actually an endorsement. When a man assumes the office of deacon in a church like ours that insists upon his meeting the qualifications, it is a statement that says, in effect, "We believe that you are a good example of what a Christian man should be." When we lay hands on these men today, we are saying, "You have our endorsement as faithful and special servants of Christ."
So may I say, first to our present deacons who have served us well, and then to these deacons-to-be, that we appreciate you for being the kind of men that we can endorse for this office. You have our support and our admiration.
Ordination
Will the elders please come to the front?
Will the deacon candidates please come to the front?
Shall we pray?
Heavenly Father, we ask on this occasion that you look with favor on what we do here. It is our desire to follow your Word and that ancient order which You have laid down in the New Testament. We wish to organize this congregation according to the instruction and examples that You have provided for us. Today as we ordain these who have been selected by the congregation to serve as deacons, we pray that you will be glorified in their work and in your church. We also ask your blessing upon each one of them for his desire to serve in this capacity. Bless their families, Lord, and all that they do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
At this time I will read a charge to these men and then an additional charge to the members of this congregation. I ask for your full attention to the things I am about to say.
To Candidates: The four of you are being set apart today to serve this congregation as its deacons. The title of your ministry means "servant." While it is true that every Christian is charged by God to serve, your ministry is very special. You have been chosen from among all of these brethren and by these brethren to hold the honor of the office of deacon. As such, it has been determined that your example and testimony as Christians meets God's qualifications for this office.
The Apostle Paul said, "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
We, as leaders in this congregation, charge you in the presence of God to take seriously this work you are set apart for today. It has both privileges and responsibilities. Have you prayerfully considered the privileges and responsibilities that will be yours through your service as Deacons? (Please indicate your agreement to this and the questions that follow by saying "yes.")
Candidates respond: Yes
To Candidates: Are you willing to accept this task and commit yourself to be the special servants of this congregation, to help them in their need, and to strive to be good examples to them as Deacons?
Candidates respond: Yes
To Candidates: Will you seek the help of God, through prayer and the study of His Word, so that your service will bring honor to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ?
Candidates respond: Yes
To Candidates: Will you strive to be faithful to both your calling as Christian men and your special calling as Deacons?
Candidates respond: Yes
To Congregation: Brethren of the congregation, do you as members of this church, having sought God's direction, approve the brethren standing before you to serve as Deacons of this congregation? (Please indicate your agreement by saying "yes.")
Congregation responds: Yes
To Congregation: Brethren of the congregation, will you encourage them, honor them, pray for them, and give them your hearty support as they carry out their responsibilities?
Congregation responds: Yes
To Candidates: Will you men please kneel to receive the laying on of hands?
Elders and evangelist lay hands on candidates and pray:
Our Father, we ask for Your grace and blessing to be upon these we set apart today for this important office. We believe you have worked through both your word and your people in making this selection. We thank you for the guidance You have provided. We pray that You will supply through these men those things that You deem as right for this congregation. Stir them up, Lord, with your zeal for service. Strengthen them physically and in their inner man. Bless their families. Encourage them through your spirit. Help them in their continued walk with you. As your humble servants charged with leading this congregation, we now confer upon them this office of deacon. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
(Deacons stand)
(Elder leads congregation in prayer)
(Closing song)
(Deacons join their wives and are greeted as congregation exits)
Footnotes:
1. Acts 20:17, cf. v. 28
Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.
Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.
All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.
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