Who are deacons, and what do they do?

The underlying situation in the early church that many believe led to the deacon role in the New Testament church can be found in Acts chapter 6:

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:1–7

So deacons are separate from elders/pastors in the church, and they are selected to help facilitate and meet day to day ministry needs of the church in order for the pastors/elders to focus on shepherding the flock through prayer and the ministry of the Word of God.

Bottom line: A deacon is someone who serves.

Deacons serve the needs of the church.
Deacons are pace setters for serving the church.
Deacons allow elders to devote themselves to teaching God’s word, prayer, and oversight of the church.

At Remedy Church we have defined the deacon role in this way:
Deacon is a role to be filled by qualified men or women who lead the way in serving the church under the authority and direction of the elders.

For a more detailed description of deacons at Remedy Church, read our document.
For a more full explanation of deacons from Scripture and how we interpret and apply those passages at Remedy Church read Deacons at Remedy Church.

What we need from you:

Our current deacons are Andrew Cody, Donna Gilmore, Erik Jameson, Matt Fisk, Josh Upchurch, and Grayson & Michelle Haye. They have been God’s grace to our church family, and as our church has grown and needs in the body have grown, we see the need for more deacons. Following the example of Acts 6, we are asking you (our covenant members) to make suggestions about who you think are qualified and gifted to join these seven and serve as deacons in our church family.

Please read Acts 6.1-7 and 1 Timothy 3.8-13. As you read, ask the Lord to bring specific people to your heart and mind who mirror the description and way of life we see in these passages, and think about how you have seen men and women serving our church in this way. Then fill out the form at the bottom of this post with any recommendations you have.

The elders will receive these recommendations, prayerfully consider them, and have conversations with those we agree are qualified to serve. Once we have these conversations we will present these men and women to the church family for a time of prayerful consideration and training before they are confirmed and appointed as deacons.

We are praying for you and for our entire church as we work through this season together. We look forward to the things God will do in us and through us as we move forward from here, and our prayer is that the word of God will continue to increase, and the number of the disciples will multiply greatly.