When we see the proto-deacons appear in Acts 6, there is a phrase that is used by the apostles that gives us our best guide to diaconal ministry: to serve tables. The Greek word here (trapeza) that we translate table means both an eating table (Luke 22:30) and a money table (Luke 19:23). With this phrase, we have the richest phrasing to the theme of diaconal ministry – table service. 

An exhaustive list of diaconal duties is not obvious from the texts of Scripture, nor does such a list appear in the Westminster Confession of Faith or Catechisms. While they make a brief appearance in the Form of Presbyterian Church Government (1645), we find that most of our guidance on the work of deacons comes from the PCA Book of Church Order, specifically 9-2. 

Yet, when we look at 9-2, we are left without an overarching theme or summation of the work of deacons. If we want to better understand the theme of diaconal ministry, we will need to look through the lens of history and get to the first fruits of the diaconate (Acts 6). In Acts, we will see that the ministry of deacons is not just a list of unrelated administrative tasks, but the humble service-oriented ministry of tables.

Hodgepodge of Duties

Here are the duties of deacons described in the Book of Church Order: 

It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation. In matters of special importance affecting the property of the church, they cannot take final action without the approval of the Session and consent of the congregation.

When we look at the duties listed, we have a list of various tasks lacking a cohesive theme. 

First, we have groups of people to minister to as it relates to mercy ministries, but the poor are never specifically mentioned. 

Second, we have some language around developing, collecting, and distributing the gifts of the people. Are these gifts from the congregation their time, talents, and/or treasures? There’s also some stuff about caring for movable (money) and less movable assets (buildings).

Third, church edifices should be properly repaired, which are imposing buildings for those not born in the 1700s. 

Finally, there is a clarifying statement that prevents deacons from doing anything of “special importance” without the session and congregation’s approval and consent. I assume this “special importance” is somewhere in between replacing warm light bulbs with cool white light and getting rid of the 200-year-old antique pews and replacing them with modern chairs from Costco. But, I will leave that to the discretion of individual congregations. 

These somewhat disconnected duties have historical backing from John Calvin to Samuel Miller. Calvin said that deacons dealt with the annual revenues of the church. Samuel Rutherford talked about the church’s fabric being kept in good frame by the deacons. David Dickson spoke of the deacons maintaining the salary of the ministers and public goods of the church. John Owen saw to it that deacons not only took care of the poor, but managed all other affairs of the same kind. Lastly, Samuel Miller said that deacons should manage the pecuniary affairs of the church, that is, the financial affairs of the church.

Read More