Several years ago I was asked to present a position paper on the technical definition of worship and to testify in open court in defense of the right of a local church not to have its auxiliary buildings taxed. In that particular instance, the state was trying to define worship in order to tax a fellowship hall the church was using for its outreach program. While preparing for the court case, I asked to read a copy of the constitution and by-laws for the church and was astonished at what I read in one particular area, namely, church government. The deacons had arrogated to themselves full authority in the boldest wording possible. I asked myself, "Has no one read the Bible or studied church history?" If they had it did not matter and so the day came when the deacons overreached. That day was when they took charge of the congregation in their own minds and imposed their will on the will of God’s people thereby disrupting the divine pattern of church government clearly set forth in Scripture.
What happened in that congregation is not unique. All around the world God’s people struggle with organizing local congregations. What is often neglected is the role that God has assigned individuals so that everyone has boundaries and accountability.
By way of brief review there is one ultimate leadership position in the New Testament and that is found in the concept of the elder, also called pastor or bishop. The terms are used interchangeably. Two important points are to be noted about the elder. First, an elder must meet specific qualifications. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim 3:1-5). Second, an elder must have others to serve with him. The New Testament pattern in the local church is to have a plurality of elders (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet 5:1).
If there are any concerns regarding an elder, the Bible makes provision for them to be addressed by the guidelines set down by Christ in Matthew 18 and by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 5:19. Nowhere does the Word of God authorize secret meetings for the purpose of directing the hearts of people against an elder (pastor), the writing of petitions, the sending forth of libelous letters in the attempt to terminate his ministry. The day a deacon engages in this behavior is the day he has over reached.
What then is the biblical role of a deacon? Simply put, a deacon is a servant and not an authority figure. As such they too must meet certain qualifications. "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Tim 3:8-9). Moreover, a deacon should first be tested for the purpose of approval. "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless" (1 Tim 3:10). And very importantly, a deacon must be married to a gracious woman who does not gather the other women of the church to promote her husband while discrediting the pastor(s) through slander. "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things" (1 Tim 3:11).
Divine commendation awaits those who use the office of a deacon well. "For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 3:13).
Fearful judgment awaits those who want to be "watchdogs," as some deacons have actually called themselves, which is why the exhortation comes. "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" (Phil 3:2). There is good reason. There are no "dogs" in heaven. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev 22:15).
Fortunate are the pastors that have faithful men to pray with and for them, counsel them, and serve God’s people without fear that one day the deacons will overreach and arrogate unto themselves unscriptural authority. The day that happens is the day the congregation begins to die.
