Ask the Readers: Too Few Deacons?
On our latest edition of iPreach, a topic was raised that is something I’ve thought about often.
Before introducing the topic, let me hasten to say that this is not a “something’s wrong at Lebanon Road” post. Rather, this is something for my own study and thought. Comments would be very much appreciated.
With that said…
We were discussing creativity on the program and one of our guests gave one way to help creativity within a congregation. He said that he felt like most congregations have too few deacons, or, when we have deacons, the elders “micro-manage” and stifle creativity within specific areas of ministry.
I started thinking of areas that a deacon could serve and men in our congregation who don’t have the position, and I was stunned by the number I came up with. Obviously, I didn’t truly scrutinize each man against the qualifications, rather, I was just brain-storming. The qualifications would be of primary importance if we were ever to install more deacons here!
What do you think? Do congregations, in general, have too few deacons? Why do you think that is the case? What can be done to help this, if it is a problem?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
10 Comments
Lane Widick
I’m torn over this issue. We have many areas here where we need servants (which is of course what a deacon is), and too few “qualified” men to do so.
Our Senior Minister has proposed the idea of keeping the current deacons we have, but moving towards a “Ministry Leader” mentality. That way, people can serve without the technical “qualifications” of a deacon.
For example, we have one couple who works their heart out here for the church. However, they just had their first children (twins). He has been a servant all along, and will continue to be one, but up until now, he technically could not be called a deacon.
This frees up areas for women to be ministry leaders without going against scriptural teachings.
I do agree, however, that a lot of Elderships micromanage the deacon area. But my thoughts are that there are too many congregations with too many deacons who just hold the title, and do not serve in the area they are assigned to serve, or at all.
Our Senior minister preached from the pulpit yesterday that we are looking for ministry leaders, but we are not abolishing the position of deacon, however, using this to train new deacons, and to give those who are scripturally unqualified to serve in an official role a chance to serve.
Chris
Too be honest with you, most of the churches I have been at had too many deacons and many a times we had deacons that did nothing, they just had the title of deacon. I think there is a bigger issue with this. The leadership structure of churches has been twisted. Most elders don’t act like shepherds, rather they act like they are on a board and really do the work that scripturally was left to deacons. (I have been in elder’s meetings where they spent an hour and a half talking about who should and should not be in the church photo album based on when the last time they were at the church!). I think overall we need to go back to scripture and determine what the true leadership roles for elders and deacons is.
Wayne Gordon
The number of deacons any congregation has should coincide with the ‘amount’ of work needed accomplishing. Not only have congregations had too few, but some have had too many. Like any organization, the ongoing work as well as the number of deacons to take charge of it should constantly be evaluated. “We’ve always done it this way”, is never an appropriate mission statement for any organization. Nor is the statement that ‘Joe Member’ has always been in charge of a particular work. The comment was made that some elders micro-manage leaving deacons without a well-defined job description. That happens when deacons don’t accept their responsibility. That happens when elders don’t fully rely on the deacons to handle tasks. Maybe it even happens when elders have lost sight of their primary task in shepherding the flock. Should a man become a deacon so someone is officially in charge? Can a man handle the responsibility over an area without having the title of deacon? Both questions I have never heard addressed and would be interested in hearing comments on.
Scott
Great thoughts from all. This is an issue we need to really get hold of. Maybe a topic for a series of lessons for the whole brotherhood.
faughnfamilyof4
A couple of things have been said so far that I hope more will comment on.
1. The idea of too MANY deacons who really don’t do anything (or, “deacons in name only”).
2. Leaders who are not deacons, but do similar work (ministry leaders).
More comments…???
Greg
One of the problems that needs to be addressed is the lack of interest by younger men 30 something to 40 something in age. It seems they are too busy with other things, one excuse that is given is they won’t have enought time to spend with their children and serve the Church. I can’t think of a better way to spend time with your kids than serving God and the Church? just think of the example it sets.
Jim Faughn
The old adage about the preacher doing the elders’ work and the elders’ doing the deacons’ work and the deacons having no idea about what they are supposed to be doing is all too true all too often.
There is a school of thought that says that the “office of a deacon” is temporary. They are responsible for a specific task and, when that task is complete, the “office” is abolished.
While I do not agree with that (because there is always enough work for deacons to do), I DO believe that having a deacon without specific responsibilities cannot be supported by scripture.
I am aware of one church (not far from you) where a program, ministry, etc. just does not exist UNLESS there is a deacon to be responsible for it. In my estimation, that might help answer the question for each individual congregation.
I’ve just glanced at some of the other comments and have not read them closely, so I could be misrepresenting somebody. I hope that is not the case, but I see the term “ministry leader” a couple of times or so. This seems to me to be an attempt to reinvent the wheel OR to circumvent God’s design by putting men (and in some cases, women) who are not qualified to be elders or deacons into places where they are, nonetheless, recognized as leaders.
One of my continual prayers is that the 21st century church will someday minimize the “board of directors” concept of the eldership and focus more on the shepherding function AND that those shepherds will learn to delegate responsibilities and areas of service to the deacons so that the elders can do what God intends for them to do.
Richard
The number of deacons that are needed should be enough to cover the programs that the congregation is willing to perform for the community and congregation. The deacons should be able to involve other non-deacon members in their area of responsibility. Where does it say that you have to be a deacon to work at the church. I’ve seen to many members let the deacons do the work while they warm a pew and express their opinions.
So how many? Well, if a church is busy in the community, you need several well qualified men to lead, inspire, and teach what needs to be done. We appoint well qualifed men to the eldership, is a deaconship any less important to the congregation.
Josh
I think in general churches have too few of deacons, but that the work is often accomplished by men or maybe even women, when scripturally able to do it, who do not have the title of deacon. The problem is that we have placed too much emphasis on the title and not enough on it being a work. This is the same with the office of elder as well. The key for successful deacons and appointing new ones, I believe is establishing and having a work/ministry that is calls for a worker or deacon and then appointing a man who is qualified to fulfill the biblical specifics but also the task that is set in the needed work. This is the example from Acts 6. Instead, we appoint the men, then try to find the work.
Josh
Rusty
Many deacons have been given a position but no authority. With no authority to make decisions and carry out plans leaders get frustrated. I don’t know many true leaders who want to have every decision or plan screened. I think many elders assign a deacon to a role but do not trust him enough to let him oversee the ministry.
I am curious as to if there are roles deacons could be assigned outside the physical work of the church. We often see deacons over building and grounds, care groups, widows, etc. But what about deacons over a prayer ministry, Bible study, worship, etc?