Usually around the time that Faith Church installs elders and deacons, I write a blog post about the nature of church leadership and the church officers that stand in the Reformed tradition. Since we installed new elders and deacons this past weekend, I figured I would keep the tradition alive by revisiting their origins and duties. I will also highlight a couple of passages that note what happens to those who serve well in these roles.
Origins – Why Have Elders and Deacons?
We don’t have these officers because of tradition or simply because we thought it would be a good idea, but because the offices of elder and deacon are found in Scripture. Philippians 1:1 shows Paul writing to the “overseers and deacons” in Philippi, and 1 Timothy 3 gives a list of qualifications for the offices of overseer and deacon. Titus 1 indicates elders and overseers are the same as what Paul calls an elder in verse 5 and an overseer in verse 7. In Acts 20:28, Paul spoke to the elders in Ephesus and told them they were to be overseers of the church. 1 Peter 5 uses language of elders both shepherding and also overseeing, showing the interchangeability of the title of elder and overseer. In 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul distinguishes the differences between elders who rule, elders who teach, and elders who preach, and provides the rationale for a separate class of pastors who teach, along with elders who rule or oversee the church. Thus, we have pastors, elders, and deacons.
Duties – What Do Elders and Deacons Do?
The words that I would use to describe elders and deacons are shepherds and servants.
The image of a shepherd is one we should have for elders because of the way two key texts discussing elders utilize this image of shepherding. In Acts 20:28-35, Paul tells the Ephesian elders that they are to pay attention to the flock that the Holy Spirit gave them because there are “fierce wolves” that will come and try to destroy them. For this reason, Paul uses a shepherding imagery to describe their work — and an image that points to it being difficult and challenging work. Elders should be constantly aware of threats to the well-being of the congregation while also thinking how to best nourish and care for the people of the church so that they can flourish and grow into what God has designed them to be. Peter also uses the imagery of shepherding in 1 Peter 5:1-5, telling his fellow elders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” This does not mean to be domineering or seek to “fleece” them for gain; rather,one is to be an example to the flock (5:3). The qualifications for being an elder that we read about in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:3-7 are not tied to skills and competencies as much as it is to one’s character. Before becoming an elder, one should set a good example of what it means to follow Christ and then continue to do so as he serves. Peter also points out that being an elder is difficult work, as he reminds them of the sufferings that Jesus received — he is the example elders are to follow as he is the Good Shepherd.
It is fitting to view deacons as servants because the Greek word from which “deacon” is derived (diakonos – it is basically a transliterated word from the original Greek) means servant! Discussions of deacons often turn to Acts 6, as seven men were appointed to assist the apostles when some widows were being overlooked in the distribution of funds. These men were full of good character and called to serve by tending to various needs in the community; this would allow the apostles to focus on teaching the Word and prayer. These men are often seen as the first deacons – showing the calling of the deacon was to serve to allow the elders of the church (along with the pastors) to function as shepherds who protect and nourish the church. This often means that deacons oversee things like money, maintenance, and mercy needs in the church. While those are the most common concerns for deacons, the heart of a servant is to see a need and seek to help address that need. As Matt Smethurst has written in his excellent new book Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church, deacons are “difference-makers” who solve problems and help make sure things get done!
Rewards – What Happens When They Serve Well?
We live in a world where all too often, leaders fail. This failure is usually not tied to a lack of ability but rather because of character as leaders drift from the intimate walk with Christ that caused them to be set apart in the first place. A few years back, I wrote a blog post on how to process these failures. Here I want to look at the flip side of that: what happens to these leaders when they fulfill their calling and serve well? They gain favor in the eyes of their brothers and sisters, but even more importantly, in the eyes of God. 1 Timothy 5:17 speaks about those elders who rule well being “considered worthy of double honor.” It is an honor to serve as an elder, but it is an even greater honor to be seen as serving well in this role, of being a good and faithful shepherd in this calling. When one serves well, tending to the needs of the flock and protecting them from danger, one gains honor in the body. Hebrews 13:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:13 remind us that the call to obey and submit to leaders; when we see leaders serving well, it is much easier to do so. Of course, this creates a danger in that the more honor someone receives, the more likely they are of becoming arrogant – of viewing their office as something to be used for their own gain rather than to help others. We need to pray against this for those in leadership positions (something I highlighted in last year’s post on leadership).
While there is honor in serving well as an elder (and a deacon), this is not the ultimate reward or what should motivate a leader in service. Rather, the reward is received from Christ and the growth in their own spiritual walk. After exhorting the elders in their work of shepherding, Peter says, “When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (5:5). We look to the reward given to us for faithful service, to using the things entrusted to us to build up the kingdom of God and the people of God. Similarly, when Paul discusses the qualifications of a deacon, he notes that “those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13). There is a sense that one grows deeper in their faith as they serve.; This is part of the joy and privilege of serving, and hopefully provides some motivation for continuing to serve, even in difficult moments.
Response – How Do We View and Treat Our Leaders?
Hopefully, this reminder of the origin and duties of these leaders as well as their rewards as they serve in their duties do more than just give you information. May it move us to give thanks for the gift these leaders are to God’s people as they shepherd and serve the congregation. May it remind us to not just look to them for what they do at the church, but for the examples they set. May we pray that they are faithful in their callings both for their own sake and also for the sake of the church.When there are good and faithful leaders in the church, the flock can flourish even in the face of oppositions and challenges as we await the return of Jesus.
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