TITLE: Misconceptions about Deacon
TEXT: Acts 6
PROPOSITION: There are several misconceptions about deacons.

Introduction:

1. There is less information about the office of deacon.

2. This has caused some to misunderstand who they are.

3. Here are 5 misconceptions about deacons.

1. DEACONS DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY:

   1. “Over this business” - Means that they have specific and limited authority.

   2. Deacon means servant. But some servants are “over” the other servants in the house.

   3. Example – the deacon over care for the building does not need elders permission to buy some new light bulbs or call the repair man if the furnace is out in January.
      
       

2. THE WORK IS NOT IMPORTANT:

   1. The very fact Paul placed the qualification of deacons in the same chapter with elders qualifications indicates the work is important.

   2. The problem of Acts 6 occurred because there were no deacons to fill this needed role.

   3. Something was being neglected.

   4. Deacons are not just to have someone to turn out the lights and lock the door.

   5. BIG MISTAKE: In many congregations we have preachers who are doing the work of elders and elders doing the work of deacons and the deacons are left with nothing to do.

   6. But the work deacons do is very important.
      
       

3. DEACONS ARE "JUNIOR ELDERS":

   1. This is not an automatic stepping stone to becoming an elder or a prerequisite for becoming one.

   2. One may be an elder and never be a deacon.

   3. One may be a faithful deacon and never serve as an elder.
      
       

4. DEACONS ARE OVER THE TEMPORAL AND PHYSICAL THINGS AND ELDERS ARE OVER THE SPIRITUAL.

   1. This is usually because of misunderstanding of Acts 6.

   2. Deacons – also have authority over the spiritual matters of the church.

      1. Education – literature, teachers, VBS

      2. Missions – What is being taught, who should not be supported

      3. The old church at Summit – Ludington, MI. Only elders presided at Lord's Supper, only deacons served the trays.
          

5. THE ELDERS AND THE DEACONS OVERSEE THE CHURCH:

   1. This is not a joint venture.

   2. Elders and deacons may meet to discuss goals and common issues that need advice and input.

   3. The elders and deacons do not become the “board of directors.”

   4. Only the elders oversee the church.

   5. If they both did, in many instances the deacons could "out vote" the elders because deacons usually outnumber the elders.