New Testament Deacon: The Church's Minister of Mercy

As a candiadate to become a deacon, I went to scripture to help me understand what it means to be a deacon. In addition, I wanted to read some books written by ministers that had experience with deacons and their roles. This book was of great support in my search for additional knowledge. I highly recommend present and future deacons read this book.

Although I thought he could have saved a chapter or two by not rehashing some points he already made, I believe this is as close to the mark as you can get. I think it should be a "must read" for all churches - especially church planters. Get off on the right foot.

There are nine books about deacons on my bookshelf. This is the best of the bunch. Strauch starts at the right place--in the Book of Acts. He goes back to the foundations of the church and builds his arguments from there. Upon this foundation, Strauch then goes on to discuss the calling and work of the deacon, how it differs from that of the elder, and what qualifies a man to serve. Most of all, I appreciate his emphasis on mercy and service. Too often, deacons get wrapped up in the budget and the building--because those aren't as difficult as people. But deacons are called to serve people: widows and orphans. We must love the forgotten and thereby reveal Christ's compassion to them in the midst of their hurting. This book will get your deaconate moving in that direction.

Overall, this is a great biblical study dealing with all the passages which address deacons. Strauch stresses the importance of deacons and the need for biblically functioning deacons in any New Testament church. I recommend it for any pastor wanting to train deacons.There are 3 criticisms that I have and anyone who uses the book should be aware of them. 1. Based on the Acts 6 passage, Strauch seems to limit the realm of the deacon to ministering to the poor and needy. It seems that the thrust of Acts 6 is the the deacons really ministered by taking some of the load off of the apostles--in this case it happened to involve ministry to the poor. In modern times, it might involve a whole range of issues that need to be done to free up the elders in a local church.2. His decisions on when the term "deacon" ("servant") is technical or not seems to depend on preconcieved notions without much discussion.3. His discussion of the possibility of women deacons seems weak. On one hand he stresses that deacons do not occupy positions of authority (which are reserved for elders) yet on the other seems to indicate that women should not be deacons since they indeed do have authority in the church. Still, I think any evangelical pastor can use this work personally or in a group setting to much benefit.

This is a good book on the scriptual history and authority of the early church deacons. Through the example of scripture, this book lays out why the early church needed deacons. Be prepared to be challenged and to examine your self in light of the biblical qualifications of deaconship.