Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 12/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a question about what the Bible says about deacons. We have a "board of church directors" who also double as our deacons. There are 5 people in this group. Two of them care about the church and the direction it is heading and obviously show it. They also make every attempt to attend every service and event. In my opinion, this is what a good board member/deacon should do. The other 3 however only come on Sunday mornings and only if it fits into their time schedule. To them the other services and events are "extracurricular". They seem to want the church to be their little social club and nothing more. In my opinion, these 3 people, who granted are good people and have good intentions, are not fit to be on the board. I've searched the Bible for answers on what to do about it. What does the Bible say about deacons? What conclusions can I make biblically about this issue?

ANSWER: Thanks for writing, Zack.
   I Tim.3:8-13 gives qualifications for deacons.  (www.blueletterbible.org is a helpful website for Bible searches.)  Acts 6:1-4 is usually considered to be describing deacons also.
   I've been part of a church with deacons as you describe.  I believe it has to do with people who donate quite a bit of money to the church and want to have a say about how the church spends "their" money.  They seem immature spiritually, so it can be frustrating.  
   I prayed daily for several years that our church leaders (deacons) would be more involved in the church and more open about their daily relationship with the Lord (if they had one).  Nothing changed, so we started attending a smaller church 13 miles further away.  The openness allowed, and willingness to encourage anyone's ideas, really make the extra miles and extra time to attend church worthwhile.
   No church will be perfect, obviously, and it seems there will always be some frustrations, but I think it's important that we recognize that we need each other.  As we studied in Sunday School this morning from Gal.6:1-7, we need to study the Bible individually, but share with each other.  If there are those who don't care for the things of God (deacons who consider church no more than their little social club?), God is not mocked.  They will reap what they sow, even if we don't see the result.
   I pray that God leads you to serve Him well, and help your church.
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, you hit the nail on the head! That's exactly how ours are currently. In your opinion, is there more of an active role I can take to make the changes that need to be made, or should I just pray?

Answer
I think your involvement should match your perceived status (influence, acceptance) by most of the others of the church.  We were considered radicals by most of our church, and already spoke up more than others--spoke up more than most thought seemly, so saying anything more was rather counterproductive for us.
   If you have some influence, you might get others to agree with you that a church benefits by having deacons who are active spiritual leaders (see the verses I mentioned before).  Then try to get people to brainstorm how to motivate the deacons to be more involved, have more to share about their relationship with Christ, or any other goal that would encourage the deacons to be the spiritual leaders you've agreed is important to the health of your church.
   Perhaps prayer partnering with individual deacons would be acceptable.  Or approaching a deacon(s) with a request to schedule a Bible study, prayer meeting, or something else, whenever or wherever would be most convenient for the deacon(s).  Not limiting spiritual growth to the four walls of the church, nor to the regular Sunday morning, Sun. night, Wed. night scheduled church meetings, might jump start something (not ruling out the regularly scheduled events for a plan either).  Perhaps a mission opportunity would intrigue one or more of the deacons.  Seeing spiritual darkness and needs outside ones own sphere, sometimes challenges our own relationship with Christ.  Having a deacon report on completing a mission, might inspire more commitment.
   If nothing else, having one or more people praying with you regularly for the health of the  church, and the spiritual leadership of the deacons in particular, would be helpful.  In time, other ideas or opportunities could surface, especially with prayer focusing your mind to encouraging the spiritual growth of your deacons.
   I pray that you have better results than we had.