'An Independent Baptist Church' We believe that the other office in the local church besides the Pastor is that of Deacon, which simply means "servant, one who hastily pursues, runner"...the idea of a servant who 'runs' to do one job and another...(1 Tim. 3:1) While everyone is essential and necessary to do the work of a local church, the office of deacon is reserved for men who become servants of the church and of the Pastor in a special sense that is not expected of every Christian. From the Bible we see that deacons are to be the Pastor's special helpers...those called of God to assist the pastors in tasks...perhaps even menial ones...so the Pastor can be freed to spend time in prayer and study and prach the Word of God. (Acts 6:1-7) The man who is called and selected to be a deacon in a local church has a most honored calling! To be the special helpers in a local church that is winning people to Christ in a community will bring great reward someday at the Bema Judgment. Deacons can make or break a pastor...and the ministry of a local church! They can be a faithful, loyal helper to the Pastor...or...some have been a great heartache to the pastor as they have ended up opposing the pastor in his vision and work for that church! The deacon who is loyal to a God-led Pastor can be a valuable asset to the ministry of that local church. From here in this passage we see that there were about 5,000 members before deacons were appointed, in Acts 6, so deacons are to be appointed only when the need arises and the number of deacons varies with the need of that particular pastor and church. Notice from this passage that they are to be appointed by the Pastors and should do whatever jobs that Pastor needs done as long as that pastor is a godly man trying to do God's work. No where in the Bible do we see DEACONS in any position of leadership over the pastor as on a board, etc. that the pastor must answer to or seek permission from on any decision to be carried out! Many denominational churches have set up a deacon board or trustees as overseers over God's appointed OVERSEER...the Pastor! Anytime a committee or board set themselves in submission as Hebrews 13:7,17 declares, these men involved are sinning and are in rebellion to the Word of God. Of course, if that Pastor's lifestyle is not proper and if he has strayed from the Word of God doctrinally, no believer is under obligation to follow that pastor. On the other hand, what a blessing results when a godly pastor has good, faithful men as deacons to assist him in the work of that local church...men who protect their pastor and encourage him and stand by him in difficult times..men he can count on when others are desserting him...these men will have a great reward in heaven as many souls will be saved in that local church ministry! (See Acts 6:7) Can a woman hold the office of deacons? It would seem not. While Romans 16:1 lists Phoebe as a deaconess, we believe the office of deacon in the local church is reserved for males, since the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 says the deacon must be the 'husband of one wife'...(difficult for a woman to do!) and the HE must rule his own house well...clearly referring to a man. Women, like Phoebe, should be 'servants' in a general sense in the the local church to the Lord Jesus Christ, but the OFFICE of deacon seems to be reserved for the man. At Gospel Center, our deacons are divided into 2 categories...regular deacons (who deal more with the 'people' needs of that local church) and trustees (who deal more with the care and oversight of the buildings and property). Trustees are required by the state since we are incorporated and they serve as agents of our corporation. They sign (at no risk personally of their own) contracts for the church when land is bought or sold, etc. As a corporations, our church receives tax exemept status so people can deduct their giving from their taxes. As a corporation, the Church members and leaders are not personally liable in case of an accident in which the church is sued. What are the qualifications of a deacon? Scripture seems to teach that the deacon must of good reputations and character in his private and public life and should be a dedicated Christian, loyal to his pastor and to his Lord, and have a burden to see people saved. We do not believe 1 Timothy 3:12 forbids a man who has been divorced from ever serving as a deacon, rather we believe it refers to his present life and testimony...Is he a 'one-woman type of man'...which is what that phrase seemed to mean back in Bible days. A Deacon and a pastor. ...cannot be flirtacious in any way with other women. We believe there will be great reward to the man who has served faithfully as deacon in soul-winning, Bible-believing New Testament local church! Copyright © 2005 Petersburg Gospel Center. All Rights Reserved.