Testament is, “the discharge of a loving service” 6 , The deacon is not just a secular servant, he is a
servant of Christ’s Church, according to Strong’s Concordance:
diákonos ("ministry") in the NT usually refers to the Lord inspiring His
servants to carry out His plan for His people – i.e. as His "minister" (like
a deacon serving Him in a local church).
The deacon in the New Testament is an ecclesial office holder, a servant of the Church, diakonia
means much more than simple menial service. 7 Viewed broadly, diakonos is a particular
service, it is a service to Christ’s Church, to the Word, the Gospel, the good news, it is a service
which is a grace given to Christ’s Church. Diakonia is the Lord inspiring His Church to carry out
God’s plan, and so all ministry is diakonia. 8 Although all ministry is diakonia, early churches
certainly established designations of ministry. We see emerging from early Scripture the offices
of diakonia, presbuteroi, and apostoloi or episkopoi deacons, priests and Bishops. The diakonoi
or deacons were servants of the Church, more specifically servants, or collaborators of/with the
Bishops. As early as 1Timothy deacons are distinguished as a ministry and called to be:
dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to
the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first;
then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly,
should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons
may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.
Thus, those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their
faith in Christ Jesus. (1Timothy 3:8-13 NABRE)
6
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged ed., Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich eds., Geoffrey
W. Bromley trans., (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, 1985), 154.
7
William Ditewig. The Emerging Diaconate: Servant Leaders in a Servant Church (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press,
2007), 53
8
Ibid. 54
8