Duties of Elders and Deacons
Duties of Elders and Deacons
INTRODUCTION God has declared that the Church should be governed by pastors, elders and deacons.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake."
We are exhorted to get to know them that labour among us. There are many advantages of knowing them intimately and personally.
They are godly individuals who can help you with your spiritual problems.
They labour (not play or idle away their time) among you, not for money but for the spiritual strengthening of the Church and its propagation.
God has placed them over us in the Lord. They are not cruel, harsh taskmasters, but kind, considerate leaders seeking to guide and help you.
They are to admonish us. Accept their rebuke as from the Lord.
Expect them to correct you. Say "thank you" with sincere appreciation. In many churches the deacons look after the business and financial matters of the congregation while the elders look after the spiritual affairs.
I. DEACONS
What is a Deacon?
The first Board of Deacons consisted of seven men in Acts 6:1-6. The Apostolic Church had all their goods in common. Some began to complain that they did not get a fair share of the food. The apostles felt that their ministry was preaching and teaching, and that others should be appointed to look after this mundane but necessary task. The apostles called the multitude together and chose seven men to do this work.
What are a Deacon’s qualifications?
Men of honest report, good reputation both inside and out of the Church. Acts 6:3, "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report. " b. Men full of the Holy Ghost. Acts 6:3, "... full of the Holy Ghost..." Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." A drunkard or one not filled with the Spirit is automatically disqualified.
Men full of wisdom, Acts 6:3, "...and wisdom, whom we may appoint..." We certainly need heavenly wisdom for this difficult task. If a capable man lacks wisdom it is his fault for James 1:5 offers wisdom to a Christian.
Grave. 1 Timothy 3:8, "Likewise must the deacons be grave." That is serious, mature. Someone who is light, giddy, immature, flippant, is not qualified.
Not double-tongued, 1 Timothy 3:8, "... not double-tongued . . ." That is, not saying one tiring to one person and something different to another one.
They must be qualified to speak with authority and command respect. Matthew 7:29.
Not given to much wine, 1 Timothy 3:8, that is, not a drunkard and a waster.
Not greedy of filthy lucre, 1 Timothy 3:8, as they collected alms they would not be tempted to keep some of it for themselves, lest they become a Judas, John 12:6.
Holding the mystery of faith in pure conscience, 1 Timothy 3:9. That is, true in doctrine.
Husband of one wife, 1 Timothy 3:12. That is, only married once (does not mean bigamy).
j. Ruling their children and houses (servants) well, 1 Timothy 3:12. If they do not control these well, how can they manage the Church of God?
What are the Deacons’ duties?
In Acts 6:1-6, to serve tables and minister food to the poor.
Today they look after the business and financial needs of the church.
Collecting church funds, banking or keeping the money, paying the pastor, janitor, electric and water bills. Repairing the church building.
Taking care of the poor people. Assisting them whenever and wherever possible.
They should be able to teach a Sunday School class.
Examples in church attendance to the entire congregation.
These are the men that someday will be promoted to become elders.
Deaconesses
Romans 16:1, "I commend unto you Pheobe our sister, which is a servant (deaconess. R. V.)." Romans 16:3, Priscilla likely was a deaconess, too. She is mentioned in Acts 18:1-28, too.
Qualifications
.Grave.1 Timothy 3:11 -sober, mature, not young, immature and silly.
.Nota slanderer. 1 Timothy 3:11 -not busybodies or gossips.
.Sober. 1 Timothy 3:11 -mature, capable of sound judgment and good advice.
.Faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11 -Faithful in doctrine, faith, works and love.
Duties of Deaconesses
.To assist at baptisms of lady candidates, as well as teaching the candidates.
To visit the sick, to give sound advice to the women and girls of the church.
.To teach Sunday School, to teach children the truths of the Scriptures.
ELDERS
What is an Elder?
He is one of the spiritual leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ. In rank he is above a deacon but below a pastor or minister of the church.
He is generally ordained to this ministry by the laying on of hands.
Acts 14:23, "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. "
Titus 1:5, ". . . that thou shouldest . . . ordain elders in every city.? In some churches it is a life appointment. In other churches for a limited term.
What are the Qualifications of an Elder?
Blameless, Titus 1:6 -a man of honest reputation, good character and standing.
The husband of one wife, Titus 1:6 - having only been married once.
Faithful children, obedient and under control, Titus 1:6. This is the test. If one rules one’s household well, then he can govern a church.
Not self-willed, Titus 1:7 -of a meek and quiet spirit. He is not a dictator.
Not soon angry, Titus 1:7 -patient. There will be much that is trying, but anger and temper have no place here.
Not given to wine, Titus 1:7. He must not be a drunkard nor a waster of money.
No striker, Titus 1:7 -satisfied, not murmuring and complaining.
Not given to filthy lucre, Titus 1:7, lest church funds become a snare to him.
A lover of hospitality, Titus 1:8, manifesting love to fellow-believers and strangers.
j. Lover of good men, Titus 1:8, lover of all that is good, c lean, wholesome and upright.
What are the Duties of an Elder?
He is charged with the spiritual activities of the church.
To attend church regularly and take an interest in all departments.
To select a suitable pastor for the congregation.
d To supply the pulpit if the pastor is absent. Gain experience in house meetings.
To arrange for special events like evangelistic campaigns, D.V.B.S., etc.
To assist the pastor in dispensing Communion.
To visit the sick and pray for them according to James 5:14.
Capable of leading in public prayer, including the pastoral prayer.
To engage actively in church discipline (Lesson 68)-to sit on church council. j. To assist in examining candidates for baptism.
CONCLUSION
Let the elders have double honour, 1 Timothy 4:17. Obey them that have the rule over you according to Hebrews 13:17. Pray for your church leaders, 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Love them as God’s servants, 1 Thessalonians 5:13.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What four things do we learn about Church officials from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13?
What is a deacon?
List ten qualifications of a deacon.
Give six duties of a deacon.
What are the qualifications of a deaconess?
List some duties of a deaconess.
What is an Elder?
List ten qualifications of an Elder.
Mention ten duties of an Elder.
According to 1 Timothy 5:7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; and 1 Thessalonians 5:13, what four things are we to give Church officials?