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The work of the mercy ministry involves service to our church, its people, its overall ministry, its reputation, and the physical needs of the church. This can include visitation, help when sick or infirmed, care for financial needs, care for physical needs, rides to church, and care for the church facility.
This work of service to the church is very important. The ministry of mercy is inherently connected to the work of the entire congregation and is always in support of the ministry of the Word.
Deacons are appointed by the elders and recognized by the congregation (Acts 6:5). Deacons are men or women who are mature Christians (1 Tim 3:9) and are proven faithful servants within the church (1 Tim 3:10). The deacons assist the elders or in specific ministries in the church. The length of their appointment is be determined by the needs of the congregation and is left to the discretion of the Elders.
The deacons work directly with the elders and regularly consult with them concerning the ministry of the church. The deacons are not, however, an autonomous or another authoritative body within the church. The Elders are the church’s overseers and managers of the ministry. Yet still, the deacons work together with the elders to assist with the equipping of church body and keeping the ministry of the church moving forward. The deacons will meet with the elders throughout the year, sometimes together during meetings concerning the entire ministry of the church.
The Bible has strong requirements for the deacon, such as being worthy of respect, honorable in their conduct, knowing and applying the gospel within their lives and conduct, and having a well-run personal life (I Tim 3:8-12). The office of deacon has this clear set of biblical qualifications and expectations because the deacon represents the church in a God-ordained office and is recognized to serve to church.
The role of a deacon is a service-based office within the church, but the church must never create positions based on need or talent alone. Like the elder (except for teaching), the qualifications for deacons are character based. The reason there are character requirements for the deacon is because within church ministry, the deacon may be involved with people, problems and relational matters. This is church ministry— it is a ‘people business’!
Based upon our understanding of the New Testament teaching regarding deacons, along with how Liberty has defined the role of deacon, including its focus on service and not on authority (1 Tim 2:12), and with the practical considerations of the deacon serving the entire church body while assisting the elders, women may serve as deaconesses. The Bible has several requirements specifically for female deacons such as being respectable, trustworthy and not being a gossip (1 Tim 3:11).
The deacon however, unlike the elder, does not have the requirement to be able to teach the Bible. While a person in the office of deacon may be gifted in teaching in different contexts, this ability is not directly connected with the office of deacon. It is an intrinsic role of the elders, not the deacons to refute and protect the body from wolves and false teachers (Acts 20:29-30; Matt 7:15; Titus 1:9).
For serving in this role, the Bible does give the deacon a distinct commendation specifically to those who serve well. Deacons gain a special assurance in their faith and an “excellent standing”, which is a very special blessing for their work within the church (1 Tim 3:13)
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