Recently, or perhaps is best to say, today, Dr. Russell Moore posted an article in His blog, regarding Deacons and this question: “Is a Deacon just a Servant?”

The points he makes are clear and very good. In the Men’s Bible Study here at Grace Community Church in Bowling Green KY, we have been studying 1 Timothy and are in Timothy 3 at this point. So this should help us think even more about Deacons and who they are.

Dr. Moore answers the question in this way:

Some have asked if I believe deacons are “just to be servants,” not leaders in the congregation. Now, first of all, there’s no such thing for followers of Christ as a category of “just a servant.” Servanthood is not menial. Our Lord Jesus himself is the servant of all, and is thus Emperor of the universe.


and he adds

Beyond that, the “just a servant” question misses a key point. The question is not whether a deacon serves (the very meaning of the word, along with the biblical task assigned, makes that clear). The question is how he serves. When deacons appear in the biblical narrative, it is because the Spirit prompts the apostles to ask the congregation to choose men who meet certain qualifications. They don’t simply place a title on those who are currently serving. Instead, the Spirit mandates men who are “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3).


He elaborates more in who are the Deacons?

If deacon were simply a synomym for “servant,” then every member of the church would be a “deacon,” because every member of the church is called and gifted to serve one another (Eph 4:1-16; 1 Cor 12:4-27). Deacons serve, but as they do so they equip the rest of the Body to serve.

I would recommend for you to read his post. You can read the full post here