Bible Studies
The Relationship Between Deacons and Overseers (Phil. 1:1; 1 Cor. 12:14ff; Rom. 12:3-7; Eph. 4:11ff)
Series: The Service of DeaconsIntroduction:
1. The two offices of overseers and deacons are meant to be complementary. 2. They are to operate in an integrated fashion to accomplish together what neither can effectively and efficiently accomplish alone. 3. Overseers have primary responsibility in overseeing. This key task has focus on the word of God and prayer, working hard at teaching and preaching as they communicate the word of God with pastoral care for the spiritual well-being of each individual. 4. Deacons have primary concern for ministering in material concerns as they care for and serve those in need.Discussion:
I. Plainly the subordinate of the two is the office of deacon, thus the overseers have responsibility to oversee the deacons just as they oversee the rest of the flock. II. In order for the church to operate as the Lord wants there must be humility, submission to the Lord and submission to the overseers.A. The overseers must not act as authoritarians ruling and forcing with a power-down or dominating approach.
B. Biblical leadership is power-up and service oriented (Matt. 20:20ff; Mk. 10:35ff; Jn. 13:5ff).
1. In family relationships headship is not abusive. Parents are not abusive.
2. In the church the head is not abusive. We voluntarily submit to Christ because we believe He has our best interest at heart. He serves us yet is the authority in our lives.
3. In the church overseers are not privileged to dominate over.
C. Those appointed as deacons need to recognize and respect the Lord, the overseers and their own role as servant/leaders.
1. They are not privileged in their role to dominate over others.
2. They are not privileged to reject the headship of Christ.
3. They are not privileged to reject the oversight of the elders.
4. There should be mutual respect for each role responsibility. It is not about how much power I have to get what I want, but about service to the Lord and His people.
D. Those appointed as deacons cannot lord over the flock any more than elders can (1 Pet. 5:3).
E. When selfish power struggles are involved in the church conflict arises and this can happen between elders and deacons. Such struggles are fleshly and detract from and even destroy the work we are trying to do together. We are all on the same team—different roles, but the same objective.
III. Deacons are not part of the eldership. They are not secondary elders. They are not a second group that provides checks and balances for the shepherds. There is no comparison like that between the Senate and House of Representatives. IV. Shepherds (overseers, elders) who provide poor leadership often frustrate deacons.A. Deacons are specially qualified, competent and enthusiastic about their work. They want to get things done. They work hard at it.
B. They may become critical of the eldership. They may disagree with the eldership. They may start allying people with them—BUT such actions are divisive.
C. Shepherds need to understand that deacons have their own function to perform and respect those duties. When this is the case there should not be unnecessary interference with the deacon’s work. They should be able to be free to act on their work with initiative.
D. Open avenues of communication between the eldership and the deacons is critical.
1. Such communication is most often informal in its nature. (Caution: One elder and one deacon reaching a decision does not constitute a decision by the eldership. This is an assumption easily made.)
2. Sometimes communication is formal—in a meeting. Such formal communication is less frequent than what generally takes place informally. It should be understood that communication opportunities are always available—not limited to “a meeting.”
E. When everyone is clear on the mission it goes a long way in making the team work together more smoothly.
Conclusion:
1. The Lord is the head. 2. Overseers are overseers. 3. Deacons are servants. 4. Each is to exercise their role in respectful humility serving the Lord and His people for their good. 5. Good leadership by shepherds aids in the appropriate function of deacons and makes the two roles function together more smoothly.
