Role of a Deacon

diakonos means either minister, servant, or position of deacon within the church. Phoebe would be considered a servant, as the position of deacon within the church has the requirements of being male only.

 

AsI noted previously, the title "Pastor' appears exactly once in the NT. Certainly has caught on though, hasn't it?

 

Acts 20:17. Paul calls the elders from Ephesus to Miletus.
Acts 20:28 Paul tells the elders that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers over the flock. Flocks are protected by shepherds, translated pastors.
So we have the elders, overseers (bishops) and pastors--all referring to the same person.

I Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but we are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (referring to Jesus).

Jesus, the Head of the church, is described by Peter as a Pastor and Bishop. One person, more than one title or function.

This is not an argument against a plurality of elders. But it does help explain why the preponderance of Baptist churches have one pastor.

 

If deacons are servants, and they are, why do they exercise power and influence in their congregations?

Perhaps it is that, ideally, the deacons are the wisest and most spiritual men in the congregation. The congregation looks to them and gives weight to their opinions. The congregation delegates to the deacons certain responsibilities, and the authority commensurate with that responsibility.

It's not hard to see how such authority could be abused, or even assumed to go with ordination. Even the congregaton may assume it, wrongly.

When the congregation mistakenly elects unspiritual men as deacons, trouble is not far down the road.

Oh, by the way, it can happen under the elder system as well.