Reading: Ministry Deacon (Slides)

The Steward Servant Calling

by Professor Henry Reyenga

The Greek Word - Diakonos

The Steward Servant:

One who executes the commands of another (esp. of a master), a servant, attendant, minister or ambassador.

• Diakonos appears 29 times in the New Testament. 
• Translated as deacon, minister, servants or servant
• Deacon(s) 3, Minister 7, Servant 10, Servants 9 NAS (New American Standard)

Let's start with Matthew 20:26

“It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant (diakonos).”

How Jesus Used “Diakonos”

• John 2:5   His mother said to the servants (diakonos), “Whatever he says to you, do it.” 
• John 12:26   If anyone serves (diakonao [verbal form]) me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant (diakonos) also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 
• John 12:26 could be translated this way: If anyone serves me as a steward, serves me as a deacon, serves me as a minister, let him follow me. Where I am there will my servant, minister, deacon also will be. If anyone serves me as a steward, serves me as a minister, serves me as a deacon, the Father will honor him or her. 
• Ordination at CLI 

Were Paul And Apollos Deacons?

1  Corinthians 3:5   Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants (diakonos) through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?

• As I have studied the word diakonos, I learned that Paul seems to use this word in talking about himself and his ministry friends.  I also found it interesting that when He needed to get a decision about Gentile participation in the gospel, he took it to the "Elders" in Jerusalem.

Acts 21:18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 

Deacon Leaders

The elders of the early church seemed guided by the policy, the deacons, ministers or servant (diakonos) were the doers of ministry. I personally believe Paul was first made a deacon. Later in his ministry, he was likely considered an "Elder".  In many cases, maybe an elder was an old deacon or an existing older Christian leader that was appointed to assist in local churches. The doers in ministry were the deacons. 

Deacon Leaders

Ephesians 3:6-8 ⁶that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,  ⁷whereof I was made a servant (diakonos), according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.  ⁸To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Women Are Included As Deacon Leaders

Romans 16:1   I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon (Steward Servant, Minister) of the church in Cenchreae.  TNIV

Women Are Included As Deacon Leaders

1 Timothy 3:8-10  ⁸In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.  ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 

1 Timothy 3:11  In the same way, the women (often translated as wives) are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 

The First Known Latin Text Calling Women Deacon's "Ministers"

Pliny the Younger, Epistle to Trajan 10.962 Around 110 CE a number of Christians in Bithynia and Pontus (imperial provinces south of the Black Sea) were executed simply as Christians by the imperial legate, Plinius Secundus. After the execution, Pliny proceeded to outlaw by edict all sodalities (hetaeriae). Although the publication of the edict apparently curtailed some Christian activity (the common meal especially), “the crime,” as Pliny put it, “kept spreading.” 

The First Known Latin Text Calling Women Deacon's "Ministers"

Soon he received an anonymous accusation containing the names of many Christians. In response, Pliny required the new defendants to pray to the gods and to make an offering of incense and wine to the image of Emperor Trajan (98–117). He also required them to anathematize (definition: Deny) Christ. However, Pliny wished to find out more about the cult practices of the forbidden sodality. In his celebrated Letter to Trajan, Pliny provides the following account of how he did so. 

The First Known Latin Text Calling Women Deacon's "Ministers"

"I believed it was necessary to find out from two female slaves (ex duabus ancillis) who were called deacons (ministrae), what was true—and to find out by torture (per tormenta)."

-Pliny to Trajan 

The First Known Latin Text Calling Women Deacon's "Ministers"

This is the earliest Latin text that appears to refer to female deacons as a distinct category of Christian minister. For that reason alone, it is of great interest.

Madigan, Kevin; Osiek, Carolyn (2011-01-04). Ordained Women in the Early Church (p. 27). Johns Hopkins University Press. Kindle Edition. 

Implications For CLI

1. Revival Leaders who are Servant Stewards of Christ

Whether an elder or deacon, we are seeking to raise up servant leaders. 

2. We will focus on Local Leaders who may not get to go to formal seminary or Bible School. Online makes formal training convenient.

Bi-vocational Christian Leaders 

• Ministry 
• Enterprise 

3. Formal Training that Takes You as Far as You Need the Training

Certificate Level  

Diploma  Level

Degree Level

Implications for CLI

4. Women are included to be Ministers

The case is strong that Elders or Bishops must be Godly “called” men. 

Acts 2:17   “‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.