What Do Deacons Do?
Introduction
They were having deacon election down at the Looney Baptist Church in Salt Lick, Texas. Sadie Looney was a new Christian, but she was confused about this event called deacon election. The pastor preached a series of sermons on the qualifications of deacons, but not on what deacons do. Sadie decided to ask some other church members what deacons do:
- they keep the preacher in line;
- they turn on the lights and lock the church;
- they decide what the church can do;
- they’re supposed to help people in need, but since the WMU was founded, the WMU does that;
- I don’t know what they do, but if you’re an important man in the community, you get elected as a deacon.
Sadie was not satisfied with any of these answers, so just before the deacons passed out slips of paper for the members to elect new deacons, she stood up. She said, “I just want to know one thing. What in the dickens do deacons do?”
Thesis: Throughout church history, deacons performed various tasks.
Deacons in the Early Church Did Ministry
A. They built and fostered church harmony.
B. They preached or witnessed the gospel.
C. They provided the needs of the church poor.
Deacons in the Roman Church Became Clergy
A. The office of deacon was a stepping-stone to the priesthood.
B. Deacons were forbidden to marry.
C. They taught the catechism.
D. They visited the sick and the prisoners.
Deacons in the Reformation Were Laymen
A. They were the only elected officers of the church.
B. They visited the sick, the widows and orphans.
C. They provided the needs of the poor.
Deacons in the 1700s Opened the Church
A. They taught Sunday school.
B. They preached on the Sundays that the circuit-riding preacher was not present.
C. They maintained the church building.
Deacons in the Late 1800s Managed Church Business
A. They screened all recommendations and decided which ones would be brought to the church.
B. They supervised the work of the preacher and the church.
C. They approved major church expenditures.
D. They maintained church property.
Deacons in the Late 1900s Are Trying to Return to the Biblical Model of Ministry
A. Deacons build and maintain church harmony.
B. Deacons preach or witness the gospel.
C. Deacons provide the needs of the poor.
Deacons in Some Baptist Churches Do the Following:
A. They serve with the pastor in performing pastoral ministries.
B. The proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers.
C. They care for church members and other persons in the community.
D. They lead the church in worship, witness, education, and ministry.
E. They lead the church in performing its work.
F. They serve as exemplary leaders.
G. The chairman of deacons assume pastoral duties in the absence of the pastor.