The Deacon is not an Overseer (Elder), but a servant. The responsibilities of Deacons are diverse. Deacons are under the oversight of the Elders and Evangelist, if an Evangelist is part of congregation. Their duties may be by assignment of the Elders and Evangelist and also by faithful motivation.
The word translated Deacon is a word for servant. Many believe, and I would agree, that Acts 6 is the first place we find Deacons. Seven men were chosen to help the widows of the new congregation in Jerusalem. These men were to meet certain qualifications before being chosen to serve. The fledgling congregation apparently had no Eldership, but the Apostles were overseeing the work. The Apostles were made aware of a need and then implemented a method of caring for the need. They instituted the deaconate.
Later, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy to give several instructions. One of these concerned the selection of Deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Paul gave Timothy qualifications for the service position of Deacon. So, as with the Elder, a qualified Christian may be appointed to serve as a Deacon.
I would agree with Alexander Strauch (The New Testament Deacon) that this body of servants were and are to be people helpers. The duties were not defined in Scripture, but the term Deacon alone helps us to define it as a role of service. As Acts 6 reveals a need being met by the servants selected, so the physical needs are to be met by the present day Deaconate.
How they do their service is up to opinion. They may consist of a team of qualified people who have a budget and treasurer so as to handle service related projects for the needy of the congregation, to offer benevolence, and even maintain church property. The team of servants could solicit the help of others of the congregation to assist in projects. Yet, the qualified Deacons would have to assume certain jobs so as to protect the privacy of members. Example, if Grandma Jones lives alone and it is Deacon Smith’s responsibility to periodically check her wellbeing, and while checking he finds she has fallen in the bathtub, it should be handled in a discreet manner. Only a trusted person should be given such assignments. Whether it is the Deacon or their spouse who may help them, they would both need to be discreet and maintain the privacy of Grandma Jones.
It is my opinion that the Eldership should oversee the Deacon team. Yet, give them the flexibility to do their service. The Eldership will benefit if they do so, because they can then do the work of shepherding without being bogged down with other service. This would be similar to the reason seven men were chosen in Acts 6:2.
By virtue of their character and work Deacons become respected and can lead others to serve in genuine Christian attitude. They also would have many opportunities to give Biblical encouragement to those they serve (1 Timothy 3:9 & 13). Paul, in Philippians 1:1, distinguished the Deacons along with the Elders. Without making to much of that, I would opine they were at least significant in service and held by the congregation in great respect.
Hillbilly Theologian
In your first paragraph, where in the Bible does it say anything about Evangelists having the “oversight” of the deacon(s)?
mocpaw,
The Evangelist is the Biblical term for the person who would either start a new congregation or continue to set in order the congregation. The Evangelist either appointed Elders and Deacons or set up some way to appoint them according to qualification.
The Deacon is not a office of leadership, but a position of service. Logically speaking, the Deacon(s) would be under the oversight of the Elders and the Evangelist. My articles on Elders and Evangelist should clear my position up.
The role of Evangelist is every bit administrative as it is preaching the gospel. The Evangelist Epistles, wrongly titled the Pastoral Epistles by denominational theologians, are clear to the point of the Evangelist’s influence and God ordained leadership.
With Respect,
Hillbilly Theologian
Hillbilly, You missed the phrase in my question, “where in the Bible”.
mocpaw
MOCPAW,
I believe the position and work of an Evangelist are the real issue. Reading 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (Evangelist Epistles) reveals the evangelist is an administrator who is charged with oversight. A careful reading reveals the Evangelist was to command, instruct, preach, entertain appropriate accusations, publicly rebuke recalcitrant Elders, entrust, remind, warn, avoid, correct, set things in order (Titus 1:5), and “encorage and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). That alone answers your question.
Restoration teachers have been dogged down with fighting denominational theology, but have failed to define certain points Biblically. We have become traditional to the point of Pharisaical on some issues, and have also been drawn into denominational terminology in some areas. We are a confused group. Researching multiple Restoration Bible Colleges would soon evidence this.
I am not speaking about the “Preacher” hired only to preach. I’m teaching that there are differences between “Preacher/Minister” and Evangelist. Ephesians 4:11 reveals there are Evangelists and Pastors. Yet, many of the Restoration Movement “Preachers” are called Pastors. A mistake or the one who regularly preaches is a Elder/Pastor. Either a man is of the congregation and serves to preach, or one is hired to preach, or a man is hired to do pastoral work and preach, or a man serves as an Evangelist to “do the work of an Evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). This work is broad as defined in the “Evangelist Epistles.”
Many congregational leaders are ignorant and don’t know what the man behind the pulpit is to do, nor how to check his qualifications. They pressure him with work they are unwilling to do, or the “Preacher” assumes his role from the local bookstore resources instead of the Bible. This causes friction between the leadership and the “Minister.” More can be said, but not in this reply.
With Respect,
Hillbilly Theologian