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After the positions of apostle and elder, the office of deacon was one of the first ones established by the New Testament church. According to Acts 6 the early Christians faced an enviable problem of church growth. Disciples were increasing in number and the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Christians in contrast to those who came from an Aramaic- or Hebrew-speaking background) complained that their people were being short-changed in a ministry that had been established to distribute food. The twelve disciples of Jesus (by this time Judas Iscariot had been replaced by Matthias, Acts 1:23-26) called a meeting of the church leaders and it was decided that a new group of seven should be chosen to “wait on tables” (diakonein trapezais) so that the others could continue in the work of preaching and praying. It is not a coincidence that all of the first deacons (diakonoi) had Greek names. Obviously it was true already in the first century: if you complain you get the job! The fact that the leader of the initial group of deacons (Stephen) was stoned to death for teaching and preaching demonstrates that initially the start the church had more in mind for them than menial tasks.
It is an interesting phenomenon that the early church decided to give one of its most important groups of church officers a mundane, commonplace name. In the modern world we would no doubt want people to feel important in their new position and give them a dignified title, something like Social Service Provider, Caring Minister, Enabling Coach. But the church chose the title diakonos that, in its most literal sense, means a person who serves food to other people in a home or a restaurant, perhaps even “slave.” Since their duties required them to meet the needs of others, even washing the feet of travelers, it was not always the most enviable of jobs.
Why did the early church choose such a humble title for their new officers? Obviously they took it from the ministry and example of Jesus Christ who taught his disciples that if anyone wants to be first in the Kingdom of God he or she has to be the servant of all (Mark 9:35; see Is. 53 and of Deacons might be described most generally as “the caring arm of the church.” Most Americans are incredibly busy and even church members may forget to regard one another with genuine concern and love. It is a regrettable fact that in churches of all sizes, members and friends can be absent from worship without being missed or can go through an illness, a family tragedy, or a financial crisis without getting the comfort and attention they need. At such a times it is often necessary for the deacons to step forward in an organized way to marshal the love and concern of the whole congregation to help members endure pain and tragedy.
In addition to ministering to members who need special pastoral care, and welcoming new members, deacons may also take on special tasks, as directed by the session.
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