The Call of the Deacon
Every ministry in the Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ has a scriptural foundation behind it. The office of the deacon, for the spiritual and administrative uplift of the Church of Christ, is
identified in Paul’s greeting to the Philippian church; “The saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:1–2). This and other scriptures inform us that along
with the offices of ministry listed in Ephesians 4:11(apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors
and teachers), another level of ministry was brought forth in the church that came out of the
daily needs of the body of Christ, called the deacon. The deacon is a spiritual leader who assists
the pastor in the care and welfare of the disciples. The deacon is a “binding voice” in the church.
For example, in a quartet, the lead singer is in front and the three voices behind him are the tenor,
baritone, and bass. In order for the lead singer to do his job, the background must support and
be in harmony with the lead The bass and tenor are often recognized, but the baritone is seldom
recognized. Without him there would be no harmony. In the life and work of the church, the
deacon is the baritone, the binding voice. He holds things together between the congregation
and the pastor as well as among the members of the church.
Scriptural Foundation, Acts 6:1–8
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of
the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
(Acts 6:1)