What do deacons do?

[daveleau]

What is the purpose of the deacon of a church? If it matters, I am speaking of southern baptist, if we need to get specific. What are the requirements for being a deacon (scripturally)?

Thanks
Dave

[matheteou]

I have a book which I'll have to dig out to get the title of, but it does a very good job describing the office and duties of a deacon. Being as you asked specifically from an SBC point, it depends upon whether your church is deacon ruled (board of supervisors) or deacon led (servant body).

edited to add:1Ti 3:8-16 Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of ill gain, (9) having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (10) And let these also first be tested, then let them minister without reproach. (11) Even so their wives are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. (12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and households well. (13) For they having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in the faith, those in Christ Jesus. (14) I write these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly. (15) But if I should delay, that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

[John Tyson]

Grace and peace to you all.

Grace and peace to you all.

Dave, in Southern Baptist churches deacons are considered one of two offices of a church. The other office is pastor. The duties of deacon vary from church to church. In some churches deacons are more in the role of overseers and administrators and the pastor's lieutenants (deacon ruled), whereas in other churches the emphasis is on spiritual ministries such as visiting the sick, delivering meals to the homebound, spiritual care giving to their assigned families within the church (deacon lead). When I served as a deacon in a church that allowed divorce men to serve in that office, during my ordination service I was on my knees and other ordained pastors and deacon would come and lay hands upon my head and whisper into my ear. Most of the whispers were simply "God bless you." However, I'll never forget what one man said to me. He said, "John, you are now ordained to do all the jobs in the church that nobody else wants to do."

Most Baptist churches follow the guidelines of 1 Timothy 3:8-16. Most do not allow men who have been divorced to serve. Some do not allow a man to serve if his wife has been divorced. Most do not allow men that partake of alcoholic beverages to serve. Most expect the man to already tithe 10%. Most expect the man to be married.

The procedure for selecting a deacon is for a man to be recommended by individual members of church, and then the man is questioned and examined by a board of deacons and ordained ministers. This board generally has veto power over a candidate. Those they find acceptable are recommended to the whole church. The church then votes as to whether to ordain the man or if he is already ordained to begin service for a certain period of time as an "active" deacon.

God bless,
John