Q4. Elders vs. Deacons

[wifee]

4a)Yes. b)Both have need for same character qualities.Differences are in their functions. Deacons carry out more of administrative,service leadership role,caring for practical,business functions of church, visiting sick,distributing funds to those in need.Elders being more of a role in bringing God’s word teaching &prayer, bringing encouragemen and also rebuke if necesssary.Guarding against false teaching, keepiing true to the word at all times.
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

The Deacon is to hold the mystery of the Faith in good conscience.   This really striked me as to this unique qualification.  The Deacon in his pastoral duties must have a genuine faith in Christ, not just a professing faith, but a real, living, active productive faith.   As a Deacon, he has a very visible role in the community.  His conscience must be clear as a bell.   A Deacon cannot bring reproach on the Church of God.  I see this as a qualification aimed at the office of Deacon, not foreign to the ministry of the Pastor/Bishop/Elder. 

Living in Ephesus amidst pagan practices and temples, Deacons have testimonies of Christ by they way they conducted themselves in church and in the market place.  They held the mystery of Faith as a very serious trust.

[Krissi]

We are all called to do whatever we can in our group or church. If we are gifted in teaching, we should teach; if one's gifting is administrative, we should administrate, and so on. The name we put on our particular role seems irrelevant.

Today's churches often have a person on staff that is Internet-savvy, computer literate and highly communicative. This role didn't exist in Paul's day. The point is that God brings people whose gifts are needed at that time and place: God provides "personnel." Old needs/titles are replaced by new ones, though not entirely.

• There will always be a need for those who are compassionate, good-listeners, etc. This is a pastoral aspect of ministry that many do, though some are better than others. We are to serve and love others.
• There will always be a need for those inclined toward evangelism and reaching the lost. 
• And, I think, there will always be a leadership class or group, however named.  

Maybe I'm missing something, but the fact that they were once called elders or deacons doesn't strike me as important. What matters is getting out there and doing the work in front of you. Today, for example, if I am able to get away from home-duties, I'm going to go to the church to help move boxes from one building to another. I rather doubt this is my calling -- I'm not particularly strong -- but is a titleless job that needs to be done.

--

ON THE OTHER HAND ... I remember, a couple decades ago, sitting with other younger people who were lamenting the state of the church. Some (proto-Marxist) wag decided that church "structures" needed to be upended -- we had to "rethink" church, he said. At the time, I thought it silly to jettison a couple thousand years of slow development and history to make the radical changes he wanted. Some things SHOULD be conserved.

Yes, pastor, evangelist, deacon, elder ... are just titles. But these title have worked well in the past, haven't they? The fact that new roles are being performed without titles to explain them doesn't negate the need for these roles in the contemporary church. Maybe there's something to the old roles that transcends time/place? Perhaps we should honor the past, with humility? 

[Funmilayo]

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they?

*A little.

* They both have basically the same qualifications although the elders are expected to have more since they are the overall leaders.

*The elders are the only ones qualified to teach while the deacons have assisting roles in the administration of the church.

[haar]

. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they?

A4. It seems to me that the general expectation from all groups of leader is for all leaders to faithfully serve the God and people without blemish and without distorting the message of the Lord.

However, Elders are expected to be more mature and to be able to teach and rebuke false teachers from distorting the truth of the Gospel.

[Eldress Rowe]

The qualifications for overseers and elders are the same but there are variations in the qualifications for deacons. Some qualifications for overseers and elder that were not listed for deacons were apt to teach, patient, not a novice, and having a good report of those without. While they were not listed as qualifications for deacons I feel that some should apply because a deacon may be called upon to teach, patient is a virtue need by every believer, and all believers should seek a have a good report of those without.  Not only should deacons not be double tongue but neither should should overseers and elders for people need to be able to depend on their word and all three should be faithful in all thing.  They might be holding different position and their duties may be different but they are all servants of a true and living God who should be represent as the God He is.

[Niyonka16]

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons?

ANSWER:[Deacons] “must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” (1 Timothy 3:9). The deacon is kind of an official administrator caring for the business of the church. [An elder] “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught....” (Titus 1:9a) The offices of elder and deacon are important in the church. Ministering to God’s people in word and deed is a serious responsibility for a man to take on, and it should never be done lightly. A biblically unqualified individual should not occupy either the office of elder or deacon; the church deserves better.

What are they (the differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons?)

ANSWER: What are some of the implications of this on our lives as individuals and corporately as elders and deacons.

1. Elders and deacons are not two independent offices with each doing its own thing. Both are to be supportive of one another, working together to accomplish God’s purposes for the church. The elders are to support the deacons through encouragement, instruction, leadership, guidance, and proper delegation according to gifts, burden, and interests. The deacons support the elders by relieving them to carry on their primary ministry and by cooperation. Both should give input to one another concerning problems, needs, and ideas for accomplishing the goals of the church.
2. Communication of ideas, problems, needs, concerns, etc., along with a commitment to work together is very important to the overall ministry of both offices.
3. Ultimately, God holds the elders responsible for the ministry of the church and this includes the deacons and the work they are asked to do. Deacons are under the leadership of the elders and the elders are responsible to see that things are done according to the principles of Scripture. If the elders make suggestions or ask for things to be done a certain way, they are not trying to interfere, they are simply doing the job God has called them to do. The elders are not to be dictators, however, and deacons have the right and responsibility to evaluate the suggestions of the elders and give input. And the elders need to give serious consideration to their input.
4. We must all evaluate our ministries, our character, our attitudes, our motives, our agendas, and our involvement in the work of the church. Are we doing all things decently and in order? Are we following through with the our responsibilities?

[Clelie]

An elder/overseer and a deacon have  to be people of a good moral standing so as not to malign the name of Jesus whom they serve in the body of  Christ . An elder should be able to teach faithfully the Word of God for he will be judged more strickly. According to James 3:1 he must be able to keep his whole body in check.

A deacon must be mature and above reproach. Difference between an elder/ deacon is a difference of gift or calling not character. A deacon is not called to teach but to serve in the comminity of the body of Christ in whatever practical needs that may present.8y

[Katy]

Q4. The qualifications for both Elders and Deacons are similar. They must be upright men, who love Christ and desire to serve the body of Christ to the best of their ability. Their roles are however different, the Elders are more mature Christians and are responsible for teaching and dealing with issues of discipline. The Deacons deal with the Church administration and paperwork. 

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

The qualifications do not differ that much. It is important that we understand that all need to be very principled and approachable as they deal with people on different levels. Both have to be rooted in the Word of God and be able to carry out what principles as outlined in the Word of God and be obedient to the Word.

However, the roles differ as the elders focus more on teaching and encouraging members through the Word of God while the deacons deal with administrative tasks. 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q4. (1 Timothy 3)

According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons?

Elders or overseers, are the overall leaders, some particularly charged with the specific duty of teaching.

The deacon is kind of an official administrator caring for the business of the church.

What are they?

The difference lies in the teaching function of the elders.

[Sister Evelyn]

Q4. ( 1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they?

In the body of Christ we all have a part to play. The office of the bishop or overseer is both a great privilege and an awesome responsibility. The overseer is to shepherd, direct, teach , and protect the flock of God entrusted to him with integrity and humility, looking to the Lord Jesus as the model for ministry.

The office of an elder is given in Scripture to provide spiritual nurture and protection for the church.

The role of an deacon can include administering the sacrament of Baptism, distributing the elements at Holy Communion, preaching, blessing marriages, and officiating at funerals and burial services.

[t-c]

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they?

Firstly, as stated in verse 1, it seems as though the position of overseer/elder is a calling or an aspiration. 1 “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” He is led by God to seek this position.
A deacon is recruited or chosen to serve. Also, “These men must first be tested.” Observed to see if their character is beyond reproach and right for the job. 

Secondly an overseer/elder must be able to teach .                       
A deacon is not required to teach.

   
Thirdly an overseer/elder must be in full charge of his household: as an example of how he could lead a church.
A deacon must be good managers of his home and family. But since his position is one of servant and not leader; it’s to a lesser degree than overseer/elder.  

Fourthly, an overseer/elder must not be a new convert or new to faith in JesusChrist.          
A deacon must be a believer who is walking with the Lord but not necessarily disqualified by being a new believer: verse 9, “but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

 

Edited February 1 by t-c
Punctuation and composition

[crissy464]

A deacon watches over the church, pass the sacrament. Warn, teach and invite all to come unto Christ. The Lord’s work is the deacon's work. To become a deacon you must be dignified, not addicted to wine, not greedy or dishonest. Must have faith and be blameless

An overseer, also known as a bishop, elder, or pastor, is a leader in the church who is responsible for spiritual oversight and pastoral care of the congregation. They are tasked with ensuring the church functions properly and according to biblical principles. Overseers must be trustworthy and must be above reproach. Sober-minded, respectable, and able to teach. 
 

 

[Old Jerry]

The deacons are the overseers of the church administrative business and to teach. They are usually more mature. The deacons have more to do with assisting the elders and to be the daily contact with the church members.

[Lenore]

Subtle differences but all of them are saying basically the same thing.

A person with self control, sound doctrine, one husband, one wife, not a gossiper

[hanks]

Q4. (1 TIMOTHY 3)

According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they?

The qualifications for deacons are very similar to those of elders, but perhaps not quite as strict. The one notable difference is that the deacon is not required to teach. His role is rather that of an administrator – caring for the day-to-day running of the church. Both of course should be leaders of integrity. From Acts 20:28 we learn that one becomes an elder through the Holy Spirit. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The qualifications of an elder stress four main prerequisites: personal character, the witness of the home, teaching aptitude, and some experience. They are God's standards for any who would exercise spiritual leadership in the local church.