6 Wonderful Things about Dedicated Deacons

I love preaching and teaching on God’s plan for the organization for the church. Each time I study and think on this topic, I am amazed at how God’s plan will be the greatest if we will just follow it. Sadly, many congregations think God’s way is too old-fashioned, or that it is inefficient.

I totally disagree. In my opinion, most (if not all) who feel that way simply have not studied the topic deeply. Is everything always going to go perfectly? Of course not. After all, we are human! However, congregations that have elders who feed and shepherd and who allow deacons to work and serve will see spiritual growth!

In this post, I want to talk about deacons. They are God’s special servants in each congregation. Sadly, however, they are often overlooked. Deacons are often treated as “junior elders” or “elders-in-training.” While many deacons do, later, become elders, that is not the only purpose–or the main purpose–of being a deacon. A deacon’s role is to be a servant within the context of the local congregation.

I want today’s list to do three things. FIRST, I want it to encourage elders to let deacons do their job! Please, elders, do not put deacons in place, then do their work for them. SECOND, I want to encourage those who are currently deacons to see their vital role in the congregation. THIRD, I want us all to see that deacons are not “second-class elders.” They are vital.

Here are 6 things that are wonderful about deacons–both individually and as a group–as they work in the local congregation.

1. Deacons use their talents to God’s glory. This is probably one thing we teach from the pulpit as much as anything else. Deacons get to do that in an organized way. They are able to use their talents under the oversight of the elders, which brings God glory because we are doing things as He has ordained.

2. Deacons “free up” elders to shepherd. Elders, please don’t do the deacons’ work for them! If you don’t trust a man to do the work, don’t make him a deacon! However, when elders allow deacons to work, the elders then have more time to focus on shepherding, teaching, and tending the flock of God.

3. Deacons know the “pulse” of the congregation. Typically, a congregation will have deacons who cover, personally or through their families, nearly every “demographic” of the congregation. Some may have preschool children, while others might have kids in the youth group. Some will have a wife who teaches the young ladies, while others might be retired. Wise elders will use this knowledge to see what is really going on, both positively and negatively, in the congregation.

4. Deacons often serve with great energy. I love watching deacons when they are appointed to the work. They often “hit the ground running” and are truly excited about their role in the congregation. No matter their age, deacons are often thrilled to be working to help in various roles in the congregation, and, when that is seen among the members, that energy is contagious.

5. Deacons are often some of the best “involvement ministers” a congregation has. I have a lot of feelings on this one. Here is a simplistic outline as to how this can happen:

• Elders, give the deacons a work to do in which they are passionate. If a man is a tech “wiz,” he might be great for the church website or blog. If one has been a farmer his whole life, he might be just the man to work on the grounds of the church building. The key is passion.
• Next, elders, lay out what you expect of that deacon. Don’t make it too general, but do leave some room for his knowledge and creativity to come through. Make sure it is clear what you expect, either as an “end” of that work, or for monthly or annual goals.
• Next, elders, get out of the way and let the deacon work! If you have been clear in your goals and your doctrinal stance, you should be able to just step back and truly oversee, not run the program.
• Finally, watch the deacons recruit other men, ladies, and kids to join him in the work that is his passion! He will overflow with joy when a retired lady asks if she can help plant flowers. That deacon will be even more excited when a teenager asks if he can assist with the youth page of the website.

6. Deacons are magnificent Christian examples. They are teaching submission, because they are following the instructions of the elders. They are teaching work and service, for obvious reasons. They are teaching the joy and excitement of being a Christian by their attitude in their role.

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Before we close, I’d like to share an opinion about something. The congregation at Lebanon Road knows how I feel about this, and I think, for the most part, agrees with me.

If there is a work to be done, and if there is a man who meets the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13, then he should be a deacon and should be serving in that area. In other words, why wait until a “special” day to appoint 5, 6, 10, or more deacons? Find the one you need and put him to work. Also, the more deacons a congregation has that are working, the more this is a sign of the health of the congregation.

At Lebanon Road, we currently have 24 deacons. For a congregation of around 330 in regular attendance, this may seem like a huge number, but our elders have works that are to be done, and they have assigned these men to the works. When our deacons take those works and “run” with them, our congregation sees the benefit.

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Share your thoughts on deacons in the comments.