Deacons
Tom Hunsberger, Linda Hunsberger, Tara Kluth, Polly Swartz
Peter Ulbricht, Joel Wagar
The deacon board at Berean Community Church includes male and female members who meet the qualifications enumerated in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3:8-12. The deacons serve the church body by spotting and meeting tangible needs (of the people in the church, and the physical property itself), protecting and promoting church unity, and serving and supporting the ministry of the elders.
The word “deacon” comes from the Greek noun diakonos which translates as “servant” or “minister.” All followers of Christ are called to serve, but the word also refers to a specific office in the church, similar to, but distinct from the office of elder.
When deployed well, deacons “are model servants who excel in being attentive and responsive to tangible needs in the life of the church … by assisting the elders, guarding the ministry of the Word, organizing service, caring for the needy, preserving unity, mobilizing ministry, and more” (Matt Smethurst, Deacons, [Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2021], 21).
Acts 6:1-7 is generally seen to establish the office of deacon to address a tangible concern in the early church. The twelve disciples, in order not to neglect their primary ministry of preaching the word of God, ordered the other disciples to “pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3, ESV) who will be appointed to meet the outward or physical needs of the church. (For a full exposition of Acts 6:1-7 see Matt Smethurst, Deacons, pp. 41-57.) Specific qualifications for deacons are laid out in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, in which he gave divinely-inspired instructions to Timothy that were intended to be relayed to all communities of Christ-followers. Following the qualifications of elders in verses 1-7, Paul turns to the office of deacon in 8-13:
“In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:8-13, NIV
These qualifications speak to their reputation, maturity, character and self-discipline and how such traits should be established by those endorsing and approving the nominee.
All deacons follow in the footsteps of our Lord, who was both perfect elder (the Good Shepherd) and perfect deacon (the servant of all, to the point of laying down His life for the Church).