Deacons E-Book

Matt Smethurst

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Building Healthy Churches
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

How Can Deacons Mobilize Service in the Church? Deacons are essential to a church's health—yet confusion abounds regarding their biblical job description. What's their God-given role in a local congregation and how do they relate to the church's overall mission? In this short book, Matt Smethurst makes the case that deacons are model servants called to meet tangible needs, organize and mobilize acts of service, preserve the unity of the flock, and support the ministry of the elders. Clearing away common misconceptions, Smethurst offers practical guidance for deploying deacons and helping churches to flourish.

Leseprobe

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“If I could go back and pick one book to prepare for the onslaught of ministerial challenges our church has faced this year, it would be this one. Weary pastors, discouraged deacons, and churches struggling to stay on mission, get this book! It hits all the right notes.”

Bobby Scott, Copastor, Community of Faith Bible Church, South Gate, California

“The church has long needed this decidedly biblical, highly readable, and very practical book. Grounding the diaconate in the person and work of Jesus, Matt Smethurst answers the multitude of contemporary questions with judiciousness and care, drawing upon his deep knowledge of Scripture, history, and church life. Deacons should long remain the standard text in both the local church and the academy.”

Malcolm B. Yarnell III, Research Professor of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Teaching Pastor, Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury, Texas

“My deepest concern in books on church polity is that the author would make his case based on solid Bible exposition, not denominational tradition or personal opinion. Smethurst has done this well: he has expounded the relevant texts on this widely misunderstood church office. With clear structure and striking insight, he recaptures the Bible’s intention for deacons.”

Alexander Strauch, author, Biblical Eldership and Paul’s Vision for the Deacons

“There have been many helpful books on almost every area of church life, ministry, and polity. The one missing area has been a full-length book addressing deacons. This book fills that gap. Smethurst doesn’t just explain the biblical teaching; he fleshes it out with numerous practical examples and illustrations.”

John S. Hammett, Professor of Systematic Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches

“A wonderful resource on a neglected subject. It is biblical, accessible, and practical—ideal for those in the process of serving as a deacon. Indeed, deacons who assist the elders, organize service, care for the needy, preserve unity, and mobilize ministry are wonderful gifts to Christ’s body. Smethurst explains and applies these ideas clearly, concisely, and compellingly.”

Tony Merida, Lead Pastor, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, North Carolina; author, Ordinary

“The church needs gospel-centered, theologically minded, servant-hearted deacons who care for others out of a deep love for Jesus. Smethurst offers historical context, biblical insight, and practical examples of this vital role in congregational life.”

Melissa B. Kruger, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; author, Growing Together

“Considerable confusion surrounds diaconal ministry. Faithful deacons, Smethurst reminds us, protect the ministry of the Word, promote the unity of the body, and provide for the tangible needs of our most vulnerable members. I plan to buy multiple copies, regularly give them out to our congregation, and use the book to equip new deacons and encourage current ones.”

Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas; author, The Leadership Formula

“This book is accessible, engaging, and substantial. Both nonspecialists and readers with theological training will learn from its biblical, historical, and practical reflections on the diaconate, even where they may disagree with some of its conclusions. All readers should emerge from this book with zeal and appreciation for Christ’s great gift of diaconal ministry.”

Guy Prentiss Waters, Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson; author, How Jesus Runs the Church

“In some churches the office of deacon is underrated; members don’t profit from deacons as they ought. In other churches the office is overrated; deacons want to function like and challenge the elders. Smethurst shows us the balanced and biblical view.”

Conrad Mbewe, Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia

“Matt Smethurst serves churches well with this succinct treatment of deacons that is biblically faithful, pastorally relevant, and exceptionally clear. Even if you disagree with him (and you probably shouldn’t), you will appreciate the tone in which he describes and defends the vital ministry of deacons. The feeling you get after reading this book is like being in a crowded theater that erupts with applause after a memorable movie.”

Benjamin L. Merkle, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, 40 Questions about Elders and Deacons

“Matt Smethurst showcases how essential deacons are to gospel ministry, even while debunking misconceptions and unhelpful traditions. Practical, beautifully written, and full of encouraging stories, this is a helpful guide to an essential office.”

Jenny Manley, pastor’s wife, United Arab Emirates; author, The Good Portion: Christ

“Smethurst’s concise manifesto and practical manual succeeds in highlighting the glory of the office of deacon. This is not a dry, theoretical treatise but a clear and cogent call to recognize God’s irreplaceable gift of the diaconal ministry.”

Cornelis Van Dam, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary; author, The Deacon

“Matt Smethurst addresses a much neglected but vital part of church life. Deacons will encourage leaders and church members alike. It is full of biblical insight and inspiration. I can’t recommend it too highly.”

Sam Allberry, pastor; author, 7 Myths about Singleness

“There is no greater joy in life than serving the Lord. What a unique calling it is to serve as a deacon. Smethurst will lead you in a process of loving God’s highest calling: to be a servant. This book will help many!”

Johnny Hunt, Former President, Southern Baptist Convention; author, The Deacon I Want to Be

“Deacons have been the object of jokes for years—or worse, ignored. I love how Smethurst creatively fleshes out both the historical and biblical context of this important ministry—then presses into practical application. Use this crucial book to embrace and equip those called by God to serve as deacons.”

Mark Dance, Former Executive Editor, Deacon Magazine

“It is uncommon to find great, biblical, clear, and insightful content packaged in a small book. This is one of those occurrences. Today’s church needs this teaching urgently.”

Miguel Núñez, Senior Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Internacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

“Dear reader, this is an excellent book! It is more interesting and important than you probably assume. You think I just have to say this because this is a blurb? Take a moment, open to chapter 1, and read the first page—just the first page!—then come back to this blurb. There are lots of other pages that good! You should buy the book now and read it. Go on and get some more copies, and get people studying it at your church. They will be encouraged and your church will be helped to flourish!”

Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC

Deacons

9Marks: Building Healthy Churches

Edited by Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman

Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church, Matt Smethurst (2021)

Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People, Matt Merker (2021)

Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church, John Onwuchekwa (2018)

Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel, Nick Roark and Robert Cline (2018)

Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global, Andy Johnson (2017)

Conversion: How God Creates a People, Michael Lawrence (2017)

Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus, Mark Dever (2016)

The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ, Ray Ortlund (2014)

Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today, David R. Helm (2014)

Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus, J. Mack Stiles (2014)

Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus, Jeramie Rinne (2014)

Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God, Bobby Jamieson (2013)

Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus, Jonathan Leeman (2012)

Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus, Jonathan Leeman (2012)

Building Healthy Churches

Deacons

How They Serve and Strengthen the Church

Matt Smethurst

Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church

Copyright © 2021 by Matt Smethurst

Published by Crossway

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Cover illustration: Wayne Brezinka

First printing 2021

Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from The New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

The Scripture quotation marked CSB has been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

All italics in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4335-7162-6ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-7165-7PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-7163-3Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-7164-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Smethurst, Matt, author.

Title: Deacons : how they serve and strengthen the church / Matt Smethurst.

Description: Wheaton, Illinois : Crossway, [2021] | Series: 9Marks: building healthy churches | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020027561 (print) | LCCN 2020027562 (ebook) | ISBN

9781433571626 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781433571633 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433571640 (mobi) | ISBN 9781433571657 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Deacons.

Classification: LCC BV680 .S58 2021 (print) | LCC BV680 (ebook) | DDC

262/.14—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020027561

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020027562

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2021-03-09 04:11:04 PM

To my parents, Doug and Lynda,

for modeling Christlike service my entire life.

I love you.

Contents

Series Preface

Introduction: “At Your Service”

1 The Backstory and the Blunders: How Deacons Have Functioned

2 The Blueprint: Where Deacons Began

3 The Baselines: What Deacons Must Be

4 The Breakdown: What Deacons Must Do

5 The Benefits: What Deacons Provide

6 The Beauty: Who Deacons Reflect

Conclusion: Deacons Are Difference-Makers

Appendix 1: May Women Serve as Deacons?

Appendix 2: Sample Questions for Deacon Candidates

General Index

Scripture Index

Series Preface

Do you believe it’s your responsibility to help build a healthy church? If you are a Christian, we believe that it is.

Jesus commands you to make disciples (Matt. 28:18–20). Jude says to build yourselves up in the faith (Jude 20–21). Peter calls you to use your gifts to serve others (1 Pet. 4:10). Paul tells you to speak the truth in love so that your church will become mature (Eph. 4:13, 15). Do you see where we are getting this?

Whether you are a church member or leader, the Building Healthy Churches series of books aims to help you fulfill such biblical commands and so play your part in building a healthy church. Another way to say it might be, we hope these books will help you grow in loving your church like Jesus loves your church.

In this series, 9Marks has produced short, readable books on each of what Mark has called nine marks of a healthy church—plus a few more. These include books on expositional preaching, biblical theology, sound doctrine, the gospel, conversion, evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship and growth, church elders, deacons, prayer, missions, and corporate worship.

Local churches exist to display God’s glory to the nations. We do that by fixing our eyes on the gospel of Jesus Christ, trusting him for salvation, and then loving one another with God’s own holiness, unity, and love. We pray the book you are holding will help.

With hope,

Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman

series editors

Introduction

“At Your Service”

I wonder why you opened this book (besides the arresting title that caught your attention). I can envision various scenarios.

1. You’re a pastor.

You’re an aspiring pastor who wants to study deacons.You’re a new pastor who wants to implement deacons.You’re a seasoned pastor who wants to rethink or redeploy deacons.You’re a frustrated pastor who wants to fire deacons.

2. You’re a deacon.

You’re a potential deacon who wants to understand the role.You’re a new deacon who wants to adjust to the role.You’re a seasoned deacon who wants to grow in the role.You’re a frustrated deacon who wants to quit the role.

3. You’re a church member.

You like how deacons function in your church—and you’re curious to learn more.You don’t like how deacons function in your church—and you’re curious if there’s a better way.You simply desire to better grasp Scripture’s teaching on this topic.

Or perhaps you’ve got another reason altogether. Suffice it to say, the topic of deacons—even just the word—can spark vastly different feelings among Christians. For some, the word is a bit nostalgic, perhaps a throwback to their childhood church. For others, it’s beautiful; the word brings beloved faces to mind—specific servants laboring for the welfare of Christ’s church. Yet for too many it’s a painful word. It’s painful for many pastors. How many times has the work of a church been hindered and harmed by those called to be its most exemplary servants?

Everyone Deacons

If you’ve put your trust in Christ, you are already a deacon in a broad sense. The Greek noun diakonos appears twenty-nine times in the New Testament and is almost always translated “servant(s)”1 or “minister(s).”2 (Same with the related noun3 and verb.4) Here are a few examples from the Gospels, rendered literally:

The greatest among you shall be your deacon. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matt. 23:11–12)

And [Jesus] said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and deacon of all.” (Mark 9:35)

If anyone deacons me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my deacon be also. If anyone deacons me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26)

Above all, Christian believers are those who walk in the footsteps of the ultimate deacon, the suffering servant who came “not to be deaconed but to deacon, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

In sum, diakonos is usually just a generic term for “servant”—hence the attribution to non-Christian rulers5 and even to demons.6 A small handful of times, though, the word is employed in a narrower, more technical sense—hence this book.7

To “deacon” in this narrower sense—which is how we typically understand the word and how I will use it from now on—is not an informal role. It isn’t simply a ministry job title, like “campus director” or “children’s ministry coordinator.” It is one of two offices the New Testament establishes for the local church. Only elders (or pastors) and deacons are ordained to formal, public service in the life of the congregation.

How crucial, then, is diaconal service to church health? Crucial enough for God to carve out an official position for select members, recognized as model servants, to mobilize practical service in creative ways.

Contrasting Clones

Clint and Tom are two pastors who couldn’t have more in common. Same age, same theological degree, same denomination, same church size, same temperament, same basic level of spiritual maturity, same amount of ministry experience. And both of their churches are doing well. Growth isn’t explosive, but it’s steady. Conversions are happening. Their members are mostly happy. But while Clint is tired, Tom is tanked. For Clint, joy is a battle; for Tom, joy is a distant memory. Clint doesn’t meet his sermon-deadline goal every week; Tom hasn’t in a year. So what’s the difference? What’s draining Tom’s time and energy? Hard thing is, it’s always something different. But always something important.

Three weeks ago, Tom had to purchase a new sound system for the church. He planned to spend an hour or two researching quality and cost-effective options, and then making a decision. It sucked up his entire Wednesday. Zero energy left for anything else, he thinks.Two weeks ago, Tom coordinated volunteers for a local park cleanup, an ideal yearly opportunity for the church to serve its neighbors and strike up gospel conversations. He created an online signup sheet, then notified the church via email, then monitored the response, then got discouraged, then sent a few private requests, then realized Friday afternoon was over. Sermon isn’t nearly done, and thirteen empty slots remain for this stupid cleanup project. What’s wrong with everyone?Last week, Tom planned a welcome cookout for college students. This is one of his favorite times of the year. The university is a short walk from his church building, and as someone who got saved in college, Tom loves opportunities to reach incoming students. Or he used to. His excitement finally succumbs to disillusionment as he stands in the grocery-store aisle, adjudicating the merits of hot dog buns. Wait, is the off-brand really more expensive? How is that even possible? I’ve got so much left to buy . . . This week, Tom was a man resolved. I will not get sidetracked. I will delegate. I can’t be all things to all people. His phone buzzes. Text from his wife. “Martha called. She’s still in the hospital and wants you to come again. Said she hasn’t heard from you this week.” It’s only Tuesday morning! “Also said she can’t pay her bill. Apparently another patient is getting money from his church. Asked if we can help her.”

Remember happy Clint? His month wasn’t easy, but it was different. It was . . . manageable. So, again, what’s the difference between the pastoral experiences of Clint and Tom? Answer: only one has deacons. Both do, actually, but only Clint’s seem to know—and love—what being a deacon entails. They delight in relieving Clint from shouldering practical tasks so that he can channel his energies to the ministry of the Word and to prayer.

Tom had to pore over countless customer reviews to find the right sound system. Clint has a deacon who was eager to do the needed research.Tom had to recruit volunteers for the park cleanup. Clint has a deacon who finds joy in gathering a team.Tom got stressed about hot dog buns. Clint has a deacon who is glad to run point on picking up groceries.Tom had to look at the church budget and assess giving trends in order to determine whether money can be spared for Martha. Clint has a deacon who excels at determining what the church can do to help financially.

The complexities of ministry are endless, aren’t they? And when you add the fluidity of people’s expectations to the immovable rock of limited time, you collide with some maddening math. I’ve witnessed this dynamic on both ends, in a sense, as I was privileged to serve in two diaconal positions before becoming an elder.

If you are an elder, and particularly if you are the primary preaching pastor in your church, internalize this: deacons wrongly deployed can halve your ministry, but deacons rightly deployed can double it. They can also build up the whole congregation—or not.

For better or for worse, deacons are difference-makers.

Manifesto and Manual

In the coming chapters, we will consider many pressing questions about this sometimes misunderstood subject. I hope this book will serve as both a manifesto and a practical manual for ordinary churches like yours.

So here’s where we are going. Chapter 1 will briefly sketch the various ways deacons have functioned throughout Christian history, as well as common (not necessarily healthy!) models in churches today. Chapter 2 will examine the forerunners to the office (Acts 6). Chapter 3 will then examine the qualifications for the office (1 Timothy 3). Following this discussion of what deacons must be, chapter 4 will zoom in on what deacons must do. In chapter 5, we will hear stories of real churches that have been strengthened by faithful diaconal service. Chapter 6 will consider the One whom deacons ultimately reflect, followed by a brief conclusion. The question of whether women may serve as deacons, or deaconesses, will be addressed in the first appendix. (Throughout the book I will use male pronouns for the sake of style and readability; but as you will see, I believe the diaconate is open to qualified women as well.) A second appendix will provide a sample questionnaire for prospective deacons.

The basic thesis of this book is that deacons—rightly understood and deployed—are an irreplaceable gift to Christ’s church. They are model servants who excel in being attentive and responsive to tangible needs in the life of the church. In what ways do they serve? By assisting the elders, guarding the ministry of the Word, organizing service, caring for the needy, preserving unity, mobilizing ministry, and more.

A church without biblical deacons may exhibit signs of health for a while, but over time its health will suffer. We rob ourselves of the benefits of God’s revealed wisdom when we either unduly elevate the role of deacons (say, to de facto elders) or unduly reduce their role (say, to glorified janitors).

Thankfully the Word of God charts a more excellent way. What it says about deacons is not extensive, but it is enough.

When deacons flourish, the whole congregation wins.

1Matt. 20:26; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 2:5, 9; 12:26; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:4; 11:15, 23; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Col. 4:7; 1 Tim. 4:6.

22 Cor. 3:6; Col. 1:7, 23, 25.

3The noun diakonia is used thirty-four times to describe “ministry(ies)” (Acts 1:17, 25; 6:4; 20:24; 21:19; Rom. 11:13; 2 Cor. 3:7, 8, 9; 4:1; 5:18; 6:3; 9:1, 12; Eph. 4:12; Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5, 11) or “serve/service/serving” (Rom. 12:7; 15:31; 1 Cor. 12:5; 16:15; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13; 11:8; 1 Tim. 1:12; Rev. 2:19).

4The verb diakoneo is used thirty-seven times: “serves/served/serving/service” (Matt. 8:15; 20:28; Mark 1:31; 10:45; Luke 4:39; 10:40; 12:37; 17:8; 22:26, 27; John 12:2, 26; 2 Tim. 1:18; Philem. 13; Heb. 6:10; 1 Pet. 1:12; 4:10, 11) or “ministered/ministering” (Matt. 4:11; 27:55; Mark 1:13; 15:41) or “bringing aid” (Rom. 15:25).

5Rom. 13:4.

62 Cor. 11:15. (Kudos to Wake Forest University, home of the Demon Deacons, for being theologically astute!)

7Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12; possibly Rom. 16:1. See the first appendix for a discussion of the Romans passage. It’s worth noting that this binary—generic service or formal office—isn’t always helpful, since there aren’t only two uses of diakonos. The recent work of Clarence D. Agan III demonstrates at least four uses of the term, as we will see in chapter 4.

1

The Backstory and the Blunders: How Deacons Have Functioned

The Nazis, it turns out, did not like deacons.