The best definition I have ever heard to describe a deacon is that he is a man chosen to serve or do a job related to the congregation that is too important to be left up to chance. This seems to be what is taking place in Acts 6:1-6 in the choosing of “the seven” to help feed the widows. Although in this passage what we might call the “office of deacon” is not specifically mentioned, it does set an example of what deacons are expected to do, and that is to serve the needs of the congregation.
Today, deacons are still needed to help our elders and the congregation. Just as the feeding of widows could not be left up to chance, today there are many jobs within the congregation that are too important to be left up to chance or to be neglected.
Think about some of the jobs that must take place for a congregation to scripturally function and properly grow as God intended. Worshipping God is one of the commands of Scripture (John 4:24). We are to come together on the first day of the week to worship (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). Worship must be done in an orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:40). Someone must see to it that the men of the congregation will serve in the service and to help get things organized. Worship does not just happen; there must be some preparations made. Should we leave this job up to chance?
Regarding finances, the church is commanded on the first day of the week to take up a collection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Once the money is collected, who is going to see that it is properly taken care of and managed? Could you imagine if we left this job up to chance?
Respecting benevolence, in Acts 6:1-6 we see the church was neglecting the benevolence of some of the widows, which was solved by the choosing of the seven men to take responsibility to address that need. There are still benevolence needs today. Jesus even taught in Matthew 25:31-46 that we will be held accountable for what we do or do not do to help those in need. What if we left this job up to chance?
Likewise pertaining to building and grounds, if we are blessed with a wonderful place to meet for worship and Bible study, that, too, requires some attention. The building and grounds must be taken care of; if not the building will deteriorate. We must be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. The repairs and upkeep to the church building and grounds cannot be left up to chance, either.
These are just some of the jobs that need a deacon’s attention in the congregation and cannot be left up to chance. We could also talk about how essential it is to have a deacon to see that the Bible school classes, missions, technology and other areas of church life are taken care of and not left up to chance.
Deacons are needed. No one person can see that all these jobs are taken care of properly. The apostles even remind in Act 6:2, “…It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” The work of the church is a group effort. The preacher has his responsibilities; the elders have theirs, and the deacons are needed to help to serve and see that the most important jobs are not left up to chance or neglected.
