Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/14/2006

Question


Does Deceans have any authority over a pastor?

Answer
Jackie,
I was just wondering if this answer was helpful? Please let me know if I can be of any further help.

Elder Greg Madden


Jackie,
Thank you for your question. This has become a real issue in many churches and denominations. The Bible teaches us that deacons have certain responsibilities, duties, and qualifications.

Here is where they were instituted and their responsibilities...

Acts 6      
6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.  
6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  
6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  
6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  
6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:  
6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.  


Here are the qualifications...
1Ti 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1Ti 3:12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1Ti 3:10
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

1Ti 3:13
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The word deacon in the original language is...
"One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.
The servant of a king.
A deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use."

No where is Scripture does it teach that deacons have any authority over the pastor. The Bible does however teach us that there are the five-fold ministry gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. God speaks to His body through these 'gifts" to the church. God did not ordain or establish committees (i.e. deacon boards), but individuals, filling one of these five-fold ministry gifts.

Eph. 4:8-12

Jackie, God's church is not a democracy. In America we have been so used to have our rights, and having our "say" that this mentality has made it's way into allot of churches. God's church is a theocracy. It is run and guided by a man that He appoints as pastor, through guidance of the Holy Spirit and through His Word.

Please let me know if this helps.
Elder Greg