DEACONS
The term deacon comes from the Greek word diákonos meaning servant or
minister, a helper, an assistant, messenger. It appears at least 29 times in the
New Testament. The role or office of deacon was developed in the early church
primarily to minister to the physical needs of the members of the body of
Christ. In Acts 6:1-6 we see the initial stage of development. Deacons are one
of the ministry or an office in the body of Christ.
QUALIFICATION
Paul Identifies Nine Qualifications For Deacons In 1Timothy
3:8-12:
- Dignified
(v. 8): This term normally refers
to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is
closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for
elders (1 Tim. 3:2).
- Not
double-tongued (v. 8): Those
who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say
something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are
two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack
credibility.
- Not
addicted too much wine (v. 8): A
man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or
other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
- Not
greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If
a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon,
especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
- Sound
in faith and life (v. 9): Paul
also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a
clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way
Paul speaks of the gospel (1Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement
refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel without
wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs,
for he must also hold these beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is,
the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
- Blameless
(v. 10): Paul writes that deacons
must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove
themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to
a person’s overall character. Although Paul does not specify what type of
testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal
background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined.
Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s
moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the
person’s track record of service in the church.
- Godly
wife (v. 11): It is debated whether
verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake of this
discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications
of a deacon’s wife. According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified,
not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like
her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must
not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A
deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be
able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might
hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (1
Tim. 5:10). This is a general requirement which functions similarly to the
requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and
for deacons to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
- Husband
of one wife (v. 12): The
best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as
referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a
“one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom
he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.
- Manage
children and household well (v. 12): A
deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.
DUTIES OF DEACONS
I. Facilities: The deacons could be responsible for managing the church
property. This would include making sure the place of worship is prepared for
the worship service, cleaning up.
II. Benevolence: Similar to what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily
distribution to the widows; the deacons may be involved in administrating funds
or other assistance to the needy.
III. Finances: While the elders should probably oversee the financial
business of the church (Acts 11:30), it may be best left to the deacons to
handle the day-to-day matters. This would include collecting and counting the
offering, keeping records, and so on.
IV. Ushers: The deacons could be responsible for distributing
bulletins, seating the congregation, or preparing the elements for communion.
V. Logistics: Deacons should be available to help in variety
of ways so that the elders are able to concentrate on teaching and shepherding
the church.
SPECIFICALLY IN UPSF
(University Pentecostal student’s fellowship)
Deacons is one of the organ of the
fellowship and becomes a member of Brach Executive Committee (BEC) with the
following functions
· Chairing all
meeting of deaconship area
· Help in
Implementing Fellowship programs
· To be responsible
to BEC wherever needed
· Conducting prayers
within their deaconship areas
· Shall be deemed to
collect relevant information(sickness, emergence travel of member) and promptly
report to the secretary
· To record the daily
attendance of all fellowship members during the evening session
OBJECTIVES
I. Encourage all UPSF members to attend
our daily services(Each deacon in their respective area of deaconship) (Hebr 10.25)
II. Help each other in different needs(1corith 13.13)
III. Ensures effective communication and
cooperation in their respective units and fellowship (psal 133.1-3)
IV. To insist fellowship members about proper wearing style and good
behavior {To live Godly system and not worldly system}
V. To conduct monthly deacon’s prayers.
VI. To remind fellowship member to attend morning glory.
VII.Recording
the daily fellowship attendance.
BELOW ARE THE DEACONS OF UPSF IN MORINGE CAMPAS
Chief Deacon
ü
BELOW ARE THE DEACONS OF UPSF IN MAZIMBU CAMPAS
Chief Deacon
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