Does your church have deacons? I found this in AI: Deacons are found in many Christian denominations:

• Catholic: Deacons are ordained ministers in the Catholic Church, and are one of the three orders of ordained ministers, along with bishops and presbyters. Deacons perform many ministries, including preaching, baptism, and leading funerals. 
• Anglican: Deacons are appointed or elected in the Anglican Church, and often report directly to the bishops of their diocese. 
• Lutheran: Deacons are found in Scandinavian Lutheran and Lutheran churches. 
• Baptist: Deacons are managing trustees in Baptist churches, along with the minister. 
• Presbyterian: Deacons are found in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. 
• The role of deacons varies by denomination. In some denominations, deacons focus on administrative duties, while in others they focus on pastoral or liturgical duties. 

1 Timothy 3 gives the qualifications for deacons in the church. They come right after the qualifications for elders. The early church met in house churches. There were no paid preachers. The house churches were led by “elders and deacons”. Philippians 1:Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.”
The Greek word for deacon is diákonos (διάκονος). It is an ancient Greek word that means “servant”, “waiter”, “minister”, or “messenger”. (AI) “In the Greco-Roman world, a “diakonos” was typically a servant or attendant who performed various duties. In the early Christian church, the term took on a more specific connotation, referring to those who served the community in both practical and spiritual matters. The role of a deacon, as outlined in the New Testament, was one of service and support, assisting the elders and apostles in the ministry of the church.”

But can we find the first deacons ever appointed in the church? Acts 6:1 Now at this time, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. ² So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. ³ Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. ⁶ And they brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.” While these men are not called “deacons”, it appears that they are the first deacons ever appointed by the church. They are to “serve” (diakoneó: To serve, to minister, to attend to) tables (providing food) for the neglected Hellenistic Jewish widows. 1 Timothy 5:-16 discusses the care of widows by the church. 1 Timothy 5:⁹ A widow is to be put on the list …” Qualifying widows were put on a list of widows to be taken care of by the church, especially daily food provided. More on all that in a later blog. These 7 men in Acts 6 were the first deacons. Notice that they were chosen by the wholee congreation, which would be they way to choose deacons today. In Acts 6 those deacons had to be “men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom”. Why were any women not chosen? More on that later. The apostles officially appointed them by laying hands on them after the congregation chose them. I believe “full of the Spirit” means that these men had miraculous gifts of some kind, as did all those baptized believers whom the apostles laid their hands on to impart gifts to them.

Paul gives much more detailed qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3: ⁸ Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not insincere, not prone to drink much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Qualifications for men in verses 8-10 and then 12-13 who are the “husbands of one wife”. Notice that the quallifications are less than for those of elders. The deacons do have to be married and manage their own households well. But they do not have to have believing children, and they do not have to be able to refute false teachers. It does not say that they can’t be a new convert (as with elders), but it does say they must be first tested in some way before they are officially appointed. Apparently some service tasks, such as helping or feeding widows, was given to men who met the qualifications in verses 8-9. They must prove themselves to be trustworthy, not slacking in duty or embezzling money or food, before they are officially appointed as deacons. Men given money or food to give to the widows could easily be tempted to keep those for themselves. Notice that they could drink wine, just not much wine. Deacons would no doubt be the ones to care for widows “on the list” (1 Timothy 5:9). They must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience”, i.e. they must have an honest conscience that would bother them if they misappropriated funds or food. The position of deacon might seem inferior to that of elders, but faithful deacons “obtain a high standing” in the faith. Their gifts are serving, not shepherding (elders’ work). “The writings of Ignatius of Antioch (5-108 AD) which mention the role of bishops, priests, and deacons as indispensable within the church structure. ” (AI) In the early Christian church, deacons assisted the bishop in a variety of ways, including: Funds: Deacons were responsible for funds for the needy. Liturgy: Deacons assisted the bishop during sacred liturgy. Alms: Deacons distributed alms to the poor. Eucharist: Deacons carried the bread and wine to the homes of those who were unable to attend the Lord’s Supper. Care of the sick: Deacons cared for the sick, as they were often the ones who were unable to attend the Lord’s Supper. Baptism: Deacons arranged for the baptism of catechumens. Holy Communion: Deacons brought Holy Communion to the baptized. Care of the needy: Deacons cared for the needs of widows, orphans, and the imprisoned. Sacred items: Deacons were responsible for sacred items such as liturgical books and vessels.”

Notice that all of the duties of deacons involved serving people in some way, whether it be widows, the sick, the needy, those being baptized, those taking the communion (the Lord’s Supper), those imprisoned for their faith and their families, orphans, etc.  That is the way it should be today and many deacons are appointed in churches today to take care of widows, etc. Unfortunately the church has evolved into a business with buildings, property, budgets, payroll, etc. to be maintained and managed. Often you will find deacons appointed today to take care of the church property, keep the grass cut, etc. Or a deacon to take care of the building. Or a deacon to do the finances. I guess that is needed and, in a way, serves the flock, but I don’t think that was the original intention for the work of deacons. Deacons actually are shepherding in a way, looking out after the needs of others. I would assume than many faithful deacons would later become elders when they reached elder qualifications.

But what about women deacons? The word is used 29 times, masculine in gender, but only used of the official position of deacons 3 times: 1 Timothy 3, Philippians 1:1, and Romans 16:1 where a woman is called a deacon. Romans 16:1 recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, ² that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.” Was she an officially appointed deacon (or is it deaconess?) or just a woman serving others and Paul?. Maybe. I don’t see why not appoint women as deacons as long as they don’t usurp authority over the men. Notice 1 Timothy 3:¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.” This verse is put right in the middle of the qualifications for men deacons. Who are the “women” in this verse that have to meet certain qualifications. Some say they are the wives of the elders or wives of the deacons, or both. But it seems as if Paul would say that if so. It seems for logical that Paul is giving qualifications for women deacons, like Phoebe (Romans 16:1). Men would the most logical choice for deacons b/c of the male leadership factor. Women Christians would be more likely to be at home taking care of their own children rather than out doing all the service projects that men deacons do. But there might be women like Phoebe who don’t have families to take care of and can devote time to doing the same service projects as men deacons would. Women could not be elders b/c elders might have to rebuke male false teachers and to take charge over the men at times, which is forbidden by Paul (1 Timothy 2). But deacons are not takin authority over anyone; they are just serving. There is no reason that women could not be deacons. The church I was raised in would never appoint women deacons. They did appoint women to serve in certain ministries such as teaching the children in Bible classes, even a women heading up the children’s program (not involving any men). Our church has 3 women who are in charge of the ladies’ ministry. They are not official deacons but could be, and for all practical purposes, they are deacons just like Phoebe.

That’s about it for deacons. If you are a deacon, woman or man, I commend your service. You are doing the real work of the Lord in helping others.