Deacons are vitally important to the church and to the pastors.  Where as Pastors take care of the spiritual needs of the church, the deacons take care of the physical needs of the church.  The word “deacon” literally means servant.  There is a very real sense in which all christian’s should strive to eb deacons.  Yet the bible is clear that we have two offices withing the church: the office of “pastor/ elder/ overseer” and the office of “deacon.”

          The creation of deacons in the book of acts was two-fold.  The first is that no member would be in need.   In Acts 8 it says that they were created because there were widows that were being ignored in the daily distribution of food.  This was not a small issue, it was just an issue that did not need to be dealt with by the pastors.  So they were created specifically for the physical needs of the church members.

          The second thing that they were created for was so that the pastors would be set free to do their job.  The pastor’s job is defined in Acts 8 as the “ministry of the word and prayer.”  Deacons quite literally set the pastors free so that they can serve the churches spiritual needs, by serving the spiritual needs of the church.  It is worth noting that the only difference in the qualifications of the Deacon and the qualifications of the Pastor/ Elder is the necessity of the gift of teaching and authority.  Deacons are to be spiritually mature and examples to the flock.

           We have wonderful deacons at our church who love to serve and are always willing to help.  I, Brother Jensen, have personally witnessed both men serving our church in a mighty way.  They care both for the physical needs of the church and provide support to anyone in need.  We are blessed to be served by these men of God!