Breaking Down Elders & Deacons (Part 1) Rev. Ryan Sutherland – February 2016

The goal of this paper is to try to bring together what we have taught thus far about the character and job description for the offices of elder and deacon. While I intended to cover gender as well in this version, the paper kept getting longer and longer1 to the point that it was becoming useless for my intended purpose of helping you in the process of nominating potential leaders. However, I will continue writing on the pertinent passages concerning gender in an additional paper that I will distribute in the near future. In addition, we will cover it in detail in All Souls 101.

Character of an elder The Scriptures overwhelmingly teach that the primary qualification for a biblical leader, especially someone who is an officer in the church, is character. The two texts that teach this most clearly in the New Testament are 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Titus 1:5-9 is very similar to 1 Timothy 3:1-7. I’ll include the text here so you can compare, but will avoid the redundancy of going through it in detail.

Titus 1:5-9 [ESV]: 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 [ESV]: 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober- minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1 It was 13 pages without any discussion about deacons, or the job description of an elder! 1

This passage has a lot to say about character, and this character can best be observed in the family. Namely, a candidate for the office of elder must be faithful to his wife (verse 2 – literally “a one-woman man”) and manage his household well “with all dignity” (verses 4-5 – literally “with all seriousness”). Paul includes submissive children, not to say that children of elders need to be perfect, but there should be discipline and order in the home so that children don’t blatantly and regularly disregard the instructions of their parents (one of the roles of an elder is church discipline – if he can’t discipline his own family, how will he be able to oversee discipline in the church family?). And then Paul lists twelve additional character traits (six positive, and six negative) that should define an elder candidate’s life:

Positive Traits: 1. Above reproach – Literally “without criticism.” Again, Paul is talking about character in a general sense. He is certainly not saying that an elder is without sin, or never makes mistakes. Instead, this word describes living in a way that gives no cause for others to think badly of the church, or the Christian Faith, or the Lord. This tells us nothing about the sort of thing that would bring reproach on the church or the Lord, but, coming at the head of the list it puts a tremendous emphasis on a person's reputation. The focus here is not a person's relationship to the Lord, but how others see him. It seems, therefore, that right from the outset, the public nature of the office is in view with its peculiar demands. This trait has in mind the importance of modeling godliness and being a spiritual example to others. 2. Sober-minded – This could also mean “temperate.” It primarily refers to a person’s thinking and being clear-headed in moments of disagreement or conflict. 3. Self-controlled – This follows naturally from sober-minded referring to a person’s behavior. The idea here is a lifestyle where someone has mastery over appetites and maintains control of emotions and reactions in difficult situations. 4. Respectable - The idea seems to be one of not offending against propriety – a person who comports himself in situations so as not to step on toes unnecessarily. A person who respects other people. 5. Hospitable – The biblical idea of hospitality is different than our culture’s idea. Hospitality isn’t just having people into your home or over for dinner. It is welcoming in strangers. An elder should be one who loves strangers – that is, who is given to being kind to newcomers and makes them feel at home – a person whose home is open for ministry and who does not shrink back from having guests, not a secretive person. 6. Able to teach - This need not mean that the person is very good in front of a group, since not all elders devote all their time to formal teaching or preaching (1 Timothy 5:17). Rather, as Titus 1:9 says, "He must hold firm to the sure Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it." In other words, he must know Biblical doctrine well and be able to explain it to people. He must be astute enough theologically that he can spot serious error and show a person why it is wrong and harmful.

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Negative Traits: 7. Not a drunkard – Paul includes this as a practical application of self-control and sober- minded. Someone who struggles with alcohol or other substances cannot perform the other necessary requirements of godly oversight. 8. Not violent (but gentle) – The point here is that the temper should be under control. He must not be given to quarreling or fighting. He should be a peacemaker and reconciler (not one who has to be right or win at all costs). His feelings should not be worn on the sleeve. He should not carry resentments or be hypercritical. 9. Not quarrelsome – This seems almost identical with "not violent, but gentle". In fact, the last three seem to go together as a unit that stresses peacemaking rather than factiousness or troublemaking. This would have great implications about the way he uses his tongue. 10. Not a lover of money – He should be putting the kingdom first in all he does. His lifestyle should not reflect a love of luxury. He should be a generous giver. He should not be anxious about his financial future. He should not be so money-oriented that ministry decisions revolve around this issue. This could lead to preferred treatment towards those in the church who have more financial resources (something James 2 warns strongly against). 11. Not a recent convert – The "condemnation of the devil" seems to be the condemnation that the devil is under because of his being puffed up. So the new believer, given too much responsibility too soon, may easily swell with pride. The implication is that part of Christian seasoning is a humbling process and a growing protection against pride. We should see evidences in his life that humility is a fixed virtue and not easily overturned. 12. Well thought of by outsiders – This is similar to "above reproach" in verse 2. But here it is made explicit that the outside unbelieving world is in view. This doesn't mean the world sets the standards, since Jesus himself was rejected by some. What it seems to mean is that a Christian leader should at least meet the standards of the world for decency and respectability, for the standards of the church should be higher. The snare of the devil is referred to in 2 Timothy 2:26. It seems to involve deception and sin, since to be rescued from it is to repent and come to a knowledge of the truth. How does not being well thought of by outsiders cause you to fall into reproach and the snare of the devil? Could it be that the reproaches of the world would cause a person to try to hide his faults in the church and thus fall into lying or duplicity?

Job Description of an elder The New Testament is surprisingly silent when it comes to what an elder actually does to fulfill his role. Instead, the texts overwhelmingly teach the importance of character over and against a list of skills that he possesses. It seems to me that there is good wisdom in not too narrowly defining the job of an elder as the unique needs and tasks of each church ought to dictate an elder’s duties and job description. In other words, if you find men of good character, the rest will take care of itself.

With that said, there are two passages in particular that offer some broad guidelines for what elders ought to focus on in their ministry: 3

Acts 20:28-35 [ESV]: Luke is narrating the words of Paul as he is speaking to the “elders of the church [at Ephesus]” (28:17). He begins by sharing how he lived among them and served the Lord by preaching the Word of God to them. Then he tells them what they must do to carry on his ministry after he leaves:

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Paul mentions several things that are noteworthy to these elders at Ephesus. First of all to “pay careful attention” to the flock… why? Because the church belongs to Jesus Christ. Elders must tend the sheep because Jesus Christ has gone to such great lengths to make them his own. This involves protection from wolves that will mask themselves as sheep and seek to lead people astray through twisted and deceitful teaching. These wolves must be lovingly corrected (verse 35) with the truth of God’s Word.

We see here that Paul envisions an eldership that defends the church with one weapon and one weapon only: the Holy Scriptures. This means elders themselves need to be equipped with the knowledge of the Bible. Paul shows us here that the office of elder is a high calling (ultimately by the Holy Spirit – vs. 28) involving hard work ministering and teaching. But it’s all worth it as we trust the words of Christ that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

So, according to Paul in Acts 20, the job description of an elder is fundamentally a ministry of God’s Word as overseers of the flock: to protect the sheep by rebuking and correcting wolves with God’s Word; and to minister to the flock by faithfully teaching it.

1 Peter 5:1-5 [ESV]: This letter is written by the Apostle Peter to the churches that were scattered throughout the Mediterranean world (probably many of them planted by Paul). Here in chapter five, he shifts his attention from the congregations in general, to the elders specifically:

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock 4

of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Peter introduces a very helpful metaphor to describe what an elder does. It is the metaphor of the shepherd. We saw glimpses of this metaphor in Acts 20 as well (Paul calls the church a flock, watch out for wolves, etc.) and it seems to me to be a very helpful way in describing what an elder is called to do here at All Souls. As a shepherd, elders are called to feed, lead, and protect the members of the church.

1. Feeding involves teaching God’s word – sometimes from the pulpit, but more often in small groups or one-on-one. Regularly praying with and for the people in the church. Showing up at the hospital or homes when people are sick or weak to offer encouragement. Visiting people in jail. The goal of shepherds is to care for and nurture the lives of the sheep. This means the elders need to work hard to know what is happening in the lives of the sheep.

2. Leading means developing a vision and mission that is biblically driven. A big part of an elder’s job is oversight. Another word for this, though probably unpopular in our culture, is management. The elders are responsible for managing the church which involves decision-making, strategy, developing new ministries, and overall creating organization so that people are loved more fully and completely.

3. Protection involves staying alert to who is coming and going in the church and being on the lookout for trendy teachings that are beginning to lead people away from Christ. Obviously we can’t and shouldn’t try to become the “thought police.” We can’t manage what people are thinking, but we can seek to understand and speak against trendy teachings that are not in accord with the Gospel.

Another aspect of protection is the exercise of church discipline. Elders are called to gently and lovingly guard the church against unrepentant sin that might “give the devil a foothold” in a person’s life; or in the community of faith. This is the “tough love” side of being an elder. Peter tells us that elders must shepherd with humility. This is especially true when discipline is warranted.

So that’s the office of elder. Know anyone who seems to possess the character to perform these tasks in our community? Let’s turn our attention to deacons.

Character of a deacon Once again, 1 Timothy 3 is the “go-to” text to learn about the qualifications of a deacon.

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1 Timothy 3:8-13 [ESV]: 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives2 likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Here at All Souls, we believe that the office of deacon is open to both qualified men and women.3 However, we also recognize that not everyone in our church shares this conviction. So it’s totally appropriate to nominate folks that are in line with your own conscience and biblical understanding. In other words, you don’t HAVE to nominate women deaconesses if you aren’t convinced they should have that office.

Please note, however, that while some in our denomination believe the “women” of verse 11 are deaconesses, most do not or are uncertain, and therefore women are not permitted to be ordained deacons. However, the Book of Church Order, chapter 9 allows for the elders to appoint godly women to work with the deacons. This allows All Souls to have deaconesses nominated by the congregation and appointed by the elders. Out of respect and love for our friends and sister churches who disagree we do not have a ceremony of “Laying on of Hands” for deaconesses (the customary sign of ordination). Our deaconesses will be regarded as equal partners and participants in the Diaconate.

1 Timothy 3, once again focuses on character and we see several words to describe the kind of character we are seeking in deacons at All Souls (expect to see a lot of overlap with the character of an elder):

1. Dignified – The root of this word is the same that Paul chose to describe the way in which an elder was to manage his family (verse 4). It is living life honorably and honestly, so that one is worthy of other people’s respect. 2. Not double-tongued – This is a Greek word that we might describe with our modern euphemism: two-faced. It is literally the word to describe a forked tongue, like that of a serpent. It is saying one thing to one person, while something completely different to someone else. 3. Not addicted to much wine – A deacon needs to be clear-headed and in control. The word that gets translated “addicted” means “to be devoted” to something. The implication is that if you are devoted to wine, you can’t be fully devoted to ministry in the church. A deacon must have the fruit of self-control in their life.

2 “The women”? The word for “wives” and “women” is the same in Greek. 3 I will flesh this out more in the gender paper, or listen to the sermon from January 31, 2016. 6

4. Not greedy for dishonest gain – This whole phrase is one word in the Greek. It describes the kind of person who doesn’t care how they make money as long as they make it. If someone is consumed by money or just trying to build their treasury of physical possessions, how are they going to be able to call others to be generous and sacrificial? 5. Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience – Paul’s use of the term mystery does not mean that there are secret truths of Christianity that only a select few can grasp. Instead, Paul always uses the word mystery to refer to the content of faith newly revealed by Christ Jesus through His apostles (see Romans 16:25-27 and Ephesians 1:7- 10). Although the deacon is tasked primarily not with teaching the people of God but with mercy ministries such as caring for widows and orphans, there are many occasions in which deacons will offer instruction. Assisting a family who is suffering a severe budget crisis involves the distribution of funds and advice in how to wisely use the family’s finances. In this case, the deacon will undoubtedly rely on the wisdom and principles of Scripture to help the family learn how to manage their money. 6. Let them be tested first – this is the wise advice to have deacons spend time in training before they are installed as officers.

In addition to these character traits, deacons must be faithful in their marriages (vs. 12), and leaders in their home in the same way that elders are. Like elders, the best place to observe the character of potential deacons is by how they minister and lead at home.

Job Description of a deacon The job description of a deacon or deaconess at All Souls is pretty simple: service, mercy and care. Just as the men in Acts 6:1-6 were appointed by the Apostles to assist them in the daily distribution of food for the poor, so deacons assist the elders in meeting the needs of the poor and weak in the congregation and the city.

The Biblical picture of deacon is painted with broader brushstrokes than the office of elder. This means there is much freedom for the church to utilize the Diaconate in creative ways. In Geneva, John Calvin had two classes of deacons: one set up to do business administration and the other to care for the sick and the needy. There’s no single model.

Deacons and Deaconesses serve under the oversight of the elders, undertaking those areas of service necessary for the church’s functioning that would otherwise prohibit the elders from performing their Biblical responsibilities to teach and shepherd. No specific ongoing roles are mentioned in Scripture, probably because service needs change, and so the role of deacons should be flexible (once again, this is probably why character is stressed more than specific tasks).

Broadly speaking, the All Souls Diaconate specializes in ministries of prayer and care for the sick and needy. To distribute funds as they deem necessary from our mercy fund to assist in times of need. To provide friendship and connection to those seeking help. And to assist the elders in leading our congregation to grow in mercy ministry within our city. They will lead ministry teams as needs are identified and partner with other agencies such as Imagine Missoula. 7