What is the role of deacons to shepherds?
Just as the pattern in the NT is a shepherd team, there are also deacon teams as they are also always plural in their 2 references in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8 and in principle in Acts 6:1-7. There is much written in the NT on Shepherds in Acts, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter, James, & Hebrews, but little instruction on deacons
What is clear is what is expected of the Shepherds, however we are not left without instructions and implications for deacons.
The Greek term diakonos which we have transliterated to ‘deacon’ has the idea of an envoy or representative servant.
The Deacons meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and assist the shepherds by helping shepherds be able to focus on their primary task of shepherding: feeding, leading, & protecting the flock. Models of this are seen in Acts 6 in principle, the order of Philippians 1:1 of the two offices, and the arrangement in Ephesus of 1 Timothy 3 where overseers and their task are mentioned first, then deacons who assist the overseers.
Deacons are recognized servants by the members as an official office who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and are overseen by the shepherds for delegated tasks that contribute to the upbuilding of the Body in accordance with their gifting.
The help of qualified, approved assistants relieves the elders of other demanding tasks and helps keep their focus on their primary responsibilities of teaching and leading God’s flock. The specific tasks of the deacons are determined by the shepherds in accordance with the church’s particular needs, size, and the giftedness of our members.
Examples of deacon tasks could be, though not limited to: offering the shepherds assistance with hospital visits and phone calls, checking on absentees, managing charitable gifts, distributing aid to the needy, assisting families in distress, visiting and protecting the elderly and shut-ins, helping with finances, overseeing church resources, and carrying out administrative tasks.
Because of the blueprint of the plan for the church in Ephesians 4:11-16, deacons have a key role in assisting the shepherds in the execution of Christ’s plan of the Body growing up into Christ as each member does its coordinated part of service in love.
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