Frequently Asked Questions

The work of deacons through the centuries has focused chiefly on tangible needs, particularly caring for the poor and vulnerable. Indeed, their work should never involve less than such mercy ministry. The larger principle of the deacon’s role, though, includes anything in a church’s life that threatens to distract and derail elders from their primary responsibilities.

Show me a church with distracted pastors and a derailed mission, and I will show you a church without effective deacons.

A faithful deacon will receive two gifts in increasing measure: respect and boldness. The first comes horizontally from the church; the other descends vertically from God. Given the “downward” shape of diaconal work, this promise of respect is particularly beautiful, isn’t it? Though the call to diaconal service is not glamorous, the reward will be glorious. In the meantime, Paul’s charge in Galatians 6:9 applies to every deacon: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”