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The leadership
of the local church is sustained by deacons and deaconesses. The
origin of the role of deacon and deaconess is not clearly revealed
in Scripture. However, the precursor of the role is clearly demonstrated
in Acts 6. The early church discovered that a distinction of service
must occur if the primary focus and support of the church is to
be maintained. The precursor made a distinction between those
apostles who would pray and preach with those ministers who would
serve tables in a righteous manner. As the church developed over
time, the role of the deacon is discovered in passages such as
Philippians 1:1 and 1st Timothy 3:8-13.
The New Testament
does not specifically mention the function of deacons, as it does
with elders. However, the basic function remains true to the word’s
meaning of service.
At Anchorage
Grace Church, deacons do not solely minister in the realm of finances
or facilities, but also in discipleship and spiritual ministries.
They have a variety of functions. This is seen by the strong qualifications
for deacons as outlined in 1st Timothy 3:8-13.
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