Who are elders and Deacons?

Jesus leads his Church. Jesus famously told his disciples that on the foundation of himself and his identity as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, he would build his Church (Matthew 16:13-20). Therefore we are his. The cornerstone of our understanding of the local church begins, ends, and finds its meaning only in Jesus (Ephesians 2:20). As the Church we worship Jesus. As the Church we obey Jesus. As the Church we follow Jesus. As the Church we pray in the name of Jesus. As the Church we preach the good news of Jesus. As the Church we sing to Jesus. As the Church we serve like Jesus. As the Church we bring honor and glory to Jesus in all things. 

As the head of the Church and by his grace and providence Jesus has given unique abilities and tasks to his people (Ephesians 4:11-16). All are gifted by grace, but not all are gifted the same (Ephesians 4:7). In particular the Church is led by qualified men as elders, the Church is cared for by deacons and deaconesses, the Church is organized and served by ministers or staff, and the Church grows and serves as members. 

Elders — Elders shepherd the Church. Commonly in the New Testament the term “elder” is the translation of the Greek word “presbyteros” in Acts and “episkopos” in the Epistles. In general “presbyteros” were leaders with authority in terms of age and wisdom. Biblical authors elevated this term and concept by using it for the precise office of an elder appointed by God, affirmed by the Church, and tasked to lead the local church with humility, service, vision, and authority. 

The position of elder is one of leadership and teaching. It is the joy of the elder team to lead with diverse plurality by serving the needs of the local church. Elders are to be qualified men who are internally held accountable by fellow elders and externally held accountable by the members of the church (Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:19-20). What the apostles and disciples begin in the Gospels and Acts—defining the gospel, preaching the gospel, and planting churches—the elders continue in the Epistles and throughout the remainder of the New Testament—teaching, preaching, leading, and planting churches (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; see also our paper on Complementary Humanity). 

Additionally we see the role of elder to be synonymous with pastor or “poimen” (Ephesians 4:11). A single distinctive within the elder team stands out in Paul’s first letter to Timothy—some elders are uniquely called and gifted at preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17). Therefore elders serve together in overseeing church discipleship, holistic care, spiritual formation, preaching, doctrine, direction, mission, vision, and the ministries of the church but some preach with authority as primary teaching voices of the elder team.

Deacons — Deacons care for the Church. The word “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diakonos” meaning servant, deacon, or deaconess. This is a servant in the local church tasked by God and affirmed by the elders and members to meet the needs of the congregation. In the book of Acts a need arises out of racism and greed (Acts 6:1). The daily distribution of food was overlooking some of the most vulnerable. And so to correct and care for this need the apostles appointed seven worthy individuals, filled with the Holy Spirit to care for this need and reshape the culture of racism through gospel service (Acts 6:1-6). 

Therefore today, qualified and called men and women care for the needs of the local church in similar fashion (1 Timothy 3:8-13). For clarity, women are also included in this office as represented by Phoebe in the church at Cenchrea (Acts 16:1-2). Through the oversight of the elder team, deacons meet the physical, spiritual, and holistic needs of the church community.

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This is an except from our position paper on ecclesiology. If you’d like to read the whole paper of have any questions, please let us know!