Elders & Deacons
Elders and Deacons, who are they and why have them?
The last time we were together we focused on the fact that the church belongs to God, he created us, we are owned by Him and He has authority over us. We then saw that God established Pastors to teach the word of God, to both develop knowledge in Jesus and shepherd the flock. We now see that this church leadership, or church governance expands into Elders and Deacons. Let’s take them separately, defining who they are and why have them.
We head to God’s word and 1 Timothy 3, where we read in verse 1: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” This word overseer is also translated as Elder. We therefore have a defined office within the church as Elder. In 1 Timothy 3 verse 2 through 7 we have the qualifications of such an office, all bar one focus on a Holy and pleasing life – above reproach, faithful, self-controlled, sober and so on. Yet there is one specific thing an Elder is to do, rather than be. An Elder, in verse 2, must be able to teach. Specifically, to teach the word of God. Also notice the language, in 1 Timothy 3, the masculine is always used – he must be a husband, he must be able to teach and so on.
From 1 Timothy 3 we establish an elder is 4 things - 1. An office in the church. 2. An individual who lives a holy and pleasing life before God. 3. Has the ability to teach Gods word. 4. Is a man
However, God’s word goes even deeper. 1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching.” An elder takes lead, not in an autocratic manner, but leads well, meaning leads the church toward Jesus. However, notice two things, one there is special mention to preaching and teaching, but also the suggestion that Elders may do something else as well. For this we need to go to James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” The Elder is called to pray over the sick, or in other words, to pastorally care for those in need.
We get further depth in 1 Peter 5 verse 1 through 3 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
From these few verses we have established the who – an office in the church, an individual who lives a holy and pleasing life before God and a man who has the ability to teach the word of God. We have also established the why – so that the church can be cared for in times of need and can be matured in their faith through the teaching of God’s word. Finally, note it is never Elder, it is Elders and Overseers, the office is plural, meaning it is not about a single Elder, rather a group of Elders.
Some may ask, well that sounds awfully similar to a Pastor. You would be right. Yet God still separates these two roles. The Pastors main focus is the teaching of God’s word, the Elders main focus is the shepherding of Gods flock. Both do the same, but they come from different angles.
Now we have considered Elders, what about Deacons? Again, we return to 1 Timothy 3 we in verse 8 through 13 have another list of qualifications for Deacons this time. Notice the key difference between Elder and Deacon, both are to live holy and pleasing lives before God, but only the Elder is required to be able to teach. Also notice in verse 11 there are qualifications listed for their wives, not listed in the Elders qualifications. Suggesting that there is both male and female deacons who serve as both have to have a specific way of living.
What we have from 1 Timothy 3 is - 1. A Deacon is an office in the church. 2. A deacon must live a holy and pleasing life before God. 3. A deacon can either be a man or a woman. 4. The ability to teach is not required.
So, what is the purpose of a deacon. For that we need to head to Acts 6:1-4 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
A dreadful thing was happening, widows were not being fed! Rather than removing themselves from prayer and preaching the word, the apostles ensure 7 were chosen to serve those needs of the widows. Notice the partnership. Godly men teaching and prayer, Godly men serving practically. It is not fair to say one is spiritual and one isn’t. Both require Godly individuals, Elders labour in teaching and shepherding, Deacons labour in service. They go hand in hand, both are needed, and both are important.
Over the last two sessions I have shown you what the Bible teaches, the church belongs to and is owned by God. He, therefore, in His rightful place, appoints:
1. Pastors to teach and shepherd the flock through the word of God.
2. Elders, to teach and to concentrate on that shepherding, focusing on prayer and encouragement
3. Deacons, to spiritually serve by helping the needs of the church.
This is God’s design for church leadership. Sure, there are other ways we could lead, there are other names we could call our leadership, but why would we? God has set before us Pastor, Elders (plural) and Deacons (plural) as his perfect way of running His church. We would do well to honour it, for I would go as far as to say, to not have Pastor, Elders, Deacons is to actively avoid God’s desire, I don’t need to spell out how disastrous this would be.
Pastor Ross Ferguson