What are Deacons?
HOW DO THEY BLESS THE CHURCH?
In the church, God has purposed to extend his shepherding care to his people through his people. To perform this work, he's appointed pastors as a gracious gift for his people. But 1 Timothy 3:8-13 teaches us that they're not the only gift that he has to give. Pastors cannot do it alone. In the building project that is the church, he enlists special servants called deacons to support the ministry of pastors, strengthen the life and unity of the body, and meet the needs of members in tangible ways. Our Chief Shepherd's "earthly ministry was mighty in both word and deed (cf. Luke 24:19), and he continues this two-pronged approach [in the church] today in large part through the offices of elder and deacon. As elders serve with words and deacons serve with deeds, Christ’s holistic ministry carries on" (Matt Smethurst).