Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

concerning the physical, social, and economic welfare of the body is handled in their context. In your judgment, based upon what you have studied so far, what are the specific kinds of leadership roles and responsibilities the ministry of deacons should concentrate upon? How does the concept of the Board of Deacons as authoritative council square with Scripture? How free are we in our various traditions to pour new meanings into the roles of deacons, elders, pastors, and bishops? Explain your answer.

They Do All the Dirty Work

In many traditions of the Church, the role of deacons has been dramatically underestimated and reduced. Rather than using biblical figures such as Stephen and Philip as models of what the role of deacons ought to be, many have relegated the role to the most lowly position of leadership. In many churches, deacons play no greater role than mere janitors, given virtually no authority to disburse goods for the sake of the needy (as in the case of Acts 6), or allowed to function alongside the spiritual leaders of the body in evangelism and instruction (as in the cases of Acts 7 and 8). Why have so many churches relegated the important role of the ministry of deacons to essentially doing the “dirty work” of leadership? Is there any such thing as “dirty work” in the Church? In what way ought deacons be included in the ongoing decision-making and ministry of the Church today? Much of today’s ministry is based upon the desires and inclinations of the volunteer. Perhaps no era of the Church has been so oriented around the spare time of available members for ministry as this one. Most deacons serve only for a limited term, and sometimes they are even forbidden from reapplying for the ministry for a period of time. While this is meant to allow for many to serve in leadership roles in the Church, in urban churches it effectively can make it difficult to have enough qualified leaders to serve. Is the ministry of deacons a calling for those who are especially gifted and ambitious to serve, or is it a job that needs to be fulfilled in the Church? Is the ministry of deacons, perhaps, a combination of both, a calling and a formal position? How long should deacons be able to serve in the local church setting? Who is responsible to select and train them? A Calling or a Job?

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