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

The Necessary First Step

In many urban churches, the role of the deacon is perceived as the bottom but necessary rung of the spiritual leadership ladder. In other words, those who aspire to lead in more substantive and authoritative roles in the Church are directed, first of all, to the ministry of the diaconate. It is reasoned that if a prospective leader cannot be placed in a position to serve selflessly the members of the body in the most menial and humble tasks, such a person is immediately disqualified from exercising leadership in the body. Many have found this system to be useful and effective in training emerging leaders in how to submit and serve others. Others, on the other hand, have found this process to be demeaning and insulting; it has transformed the ministry of deacons to a kind of “probation for prospective leaders,” making it something to “graduate from” rather than to fulfill and receive “a good standing and great confidence in that faith that is in Christ Jesus (cf. 1 Tim. 3.13).” What do you think of utilizing the role of the deacon as a “minister-in-training” capacity? Does this demean or honor the important ministry of deacons in the Church? The New Testament underscores the foundation of Christian leadership in the life and ministry of Christ, expressed in the Church through the positions of deacons, elders, pastors, and bishops. The fundamental principle of all Christian leadership is servanthood, which is embodied directly in both the terminology and position of the ministry of deacons, or, as it is phrased in the Greek, diakonoi . Tracing back to the role of the assistant in the Jewish synagogue, the hazzan , the office arose in the Church because of the need for a more formal role of aid in the Church. The NT pastoral epistles provide us with clear criteria and qualifications for both men and women to exercise their responsibility as deacons in the Church of God. While the primary service of deacons involved supplying the needs of the saints, and administrating resources for the benefit of the community, they also were deeply spiritual individuals who functioned in the whole range of evangelism, teaching, and ministry. Three models and images comprise the role of the deacon in their ministry in the local assembly. These involve the image of a servant, a steward, and an assistant. Urban congregations especially need men and women who serve in the diaconate who have proven experience as faithful servants of Christ. Although deacons cannot be used as a substitute for the generous hospitality of the members of the body, urban churches need men and women who can effectively manage the temporal affairs of the Church for the benefit of the saints.

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Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis