Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church

by Matt Smethurst

How Can Deacons Mobilize Service in the Church? Deacons are essential to a church’s health—yet confusion abounds regarding their biblical job description. What’s their God-given role in a local congregation and how do they relate to the church’s overall mission? In this short book, Matt Smethurst makes the case that deacons are model servants called to meet tangible needs, organize and mobilize acts of service, preserve the unity of the flock, and support the ministry of the elders. Clearing away common misconceptions, Smethurst offers practical guidance for deploying deacons and helping churches to flourish.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church, Ecclesiology, Leadership, Nonfiction, Faith

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Matt]

Can’t give any stars to this, but I promise I read it.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good overview on the work and role of a deacon. In the appendix, his exegetical work to defend female deacons leaves much to be desired.

[Sam Knecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smethurst looks at common misconceptions, biblical roots, historical practices, modern-day models, and godly examples of deacons doing their work: serving the church in support of the word and prayer ministry. Chapter 6 alone is worth the price of admission; as a deacon myself, I was reinvigorated by gazing at the selfless service of Christ for his church.

This is a helpful resource for churches wanting to rethink or start thinking about the role of deacons in their congregational life. I’d recommend reading this alongside another book—Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne.

[Cory Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to walk with this book one day with deacons. Thankful for such a helpful resource.

[Matt Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Our church recently provided a copy of this book to each of our deacons and I’m glad we did. It is solid, encouraging, clear, and brief.

I’ve found this series of books to be superb.

[Bo Ties · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book for us to think through as we plan to establish deacons in our church!

[Joel Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, answered all the questions I had about Deacons. It was really well referenced and led me to some other books that I am now reading and uses a lot of scripture.
Also, what a blessing deacons can be to the church, I had no idea of the office until reading this book. Really encouraging and a great resource while we plant a new church!

[Todd Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very strong 9Marks book. Good biblical explanations. Would have loved to see a little more practical instruction on how to set up deacon ministries. Easy to read and follow.

[Purshia Gambles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical.

Informative.

Biblically faithful.

Sobering.

The last 2 pages before the book’s conclusion chapter were like a sermon and a hug all at one. And incredible reminder of Jesus being the chief deacon who served us first. Even if you only buy this book for those two pages…it’s worth it.

[Irina Storozuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una visión bíblica del servicio de los diáconos en la iglesia.

Como todos los libros de la serie, es breve y de facil lectura, ideal para un primer acercamiento al tema. Aún así, este en particular creo que es de mucho valor por ser un rol con muchos malentendidos. El libro abarca un poco de todo: errores en la iglesia actual, surgimiento del rol en la Biblia, requisitos para los candidatos, ejemplos de distintas formas de funcionamiento en la iglesia local y testimonios.

Además cuenta con dos apéndices a mi parecer excelentes: uno sobre las mujeres como diaconisas y otro sobre preguntas para hacerle a los candidatos. Las notas del texto también contienen muchas citas valiosas.

"Los diáconos fueron idea de Dios. Él ama a los diáconos y quiere que nosotros también lo hagamos. Pero para amar correctamente el oficio debemos entender la gloriosa visión bíblica del mismo. (...) Son una caballería influyente de siervos, llamados por el Rey y delegados por Su iglesia para priorizar y suplir las necesidades tangibles. Para proteger y promover la unidad. Para mejorar el ministerio de los ancianos. Y, al hacer eso, acelerar la misión de la iglesia."

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good 9Marks book. All of these have been so good for me. I hesitated to buy this book because our version of Baptist doesn’t have deacons. But then more and more the idea of deacons kept coming up. So I got this book. And man it was what I needed. We may not have deacons by name we have them by practice. I am ready to get some deacons. Good book

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! This book was very informative and I grew in understanding of the role of deacons in a church. Slightly repetitive.

“There is no more perfect example of self-giving service than the One who left heaven when he could have stayed, and who stayed on the cross when he could have left.” Pg 127

[Paige Kleinsasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little bit harder for me to read than the other book in the 9 marks of a healthy church series that I’ve read, but I do feel like it gave me a healthy framework for serving my church in a diaconate role.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally got to it! Such a helpful reminder of who deacons are and what they should do. The church needs more faithful deacons!

[Tanner Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chapter of all the personal success stories of deacons was beautiful.

Thanks Matt.

[Kenzy White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful in terms of understanding the role of a deacon vs the role of an elder. The appendix at the end was really helpful as well, it gave light to both sides of the argument of whether women should be deacons or not.

Overall a good read & I would recommend to anyone who is curious about what it means to become a deacon in their local church!

[Josh John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, Biblical, and in my opinion, an absolutely must-read for Pastors and Deacons in a local church.

This book is especially useful for one who really desires to understand (or recover) the biblical definition and practical outworking of this vital office of deacon. The faulty views of this office that many still hold to are well explained and refuted using Scripture. The two appendices are also worthwhile!

This is a book that I will be sure to give out for years to come.

[Ryan Parslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even disregarding the office of deacon, this book was so helpful to understand the posture of servanthood. It poked at pride inside me and elevated behind the scenes work that only the Lord sees (Col. 3:23) in the life of his bride!
On top of that, I better understand the diaconate too!

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

For several years, 9Marks has consistently produced solid resources in their Building Healthy Churches series. The newest installment, Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church by Matt Smethurst is no exception.

Smethurst’s aim is stated at the begging: “The basic thesis of this book is that deacons - rightly understood and deployed - are an irreplaceable gift to Christ’s church. They are model servants who excel in being attentive and responsive to tangible needs in the life of the church.”

The author provides the necessary context and historical background behind the office of deacon. A basic job description is offered along with the biblical qualifications. The ministry of Christ is the ultimate model of what a deacon should aim for:

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42–45).

Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church is short, readable, and filled with powerful stories about the impact that deacons have on a local church. Every pastor should pay careful attention to this volume along with the others in the 9Marks series.

[Natalie Herr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and helpful read on the role of deacons in the local church. Covers most practical questions using Acts 6 and “the seven” named there as a starting point. Gives a fair treatment to both sides of the “can women be deacons?” question.

I would have liked to see a bit more covered on the relationships between elders and deacons. Much was said about how the deacon is meant to be like a “shock absorber” for a church’s elders; to promote unity and help protect the elders’ time for the ministry of Word and prayer. Less was said about care and communication in the direction from
elders to deacons.

[Karson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read! My view of deacons was broadened, sharpened, and deepened. Lots of practical discussions on this role in the church, but I think this book shines in showing the glory of service to Christ’s people.

“There is no more perfect example of self-giving service than the one who left heaven when he could’ve stayed, and who stayed on the cross when you could’ve left” (126-127).

[Brandon Sickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Helpful as we look to add more deacons at church. He makes a pretty strong argument for Deaconesses. Much teaching would be needed, contextually speaking, in order to make such a change! Thankful for the Deacons at Bethlehem. I always leave deacon’s meeting humbled, encouraged, and prayed for! One of the biggest blessings is that each meeting they ask about and pray for my wife and children by name. Excited to add more of our outstanding qualified men to the team!

[Meghan John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this, I often imagined how much healthier our churches would be if only we followed the Biblical pattern of deacon-hood more closely. Our pastors would be more able to study and teach the Word, our congregations would be thriving and more unified. May we return to this prescribed office.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful. A shot of adrenaline for sleepy diaconates, aimless congregations, and bewildered pastors.

Productive and hope giving.

[Andy Littleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple book on deacons, and very helpful! What it lacks is likely due to the need to keep it simple. Great starting point!

[Will Dole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little volume explaining the biblical definition, role, and glory of the deaconate. Helpful appendix on the question of women deacons. I'm not sure I agree with where he lands but it was a very fair presentation of both positions. The footnotes will be quite handy for further study as our church plant works through formalizing our ecclesial structure.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book on deacons. I would be happy to study this book with deacons and aspiring-deacons in my church. It gives an excellent overview of who a deacon is and what a deacon is called to do... but it is very accessible. Smethurst differs from our church on some of the particularities of the diaconate, but he is aware of other views and is respectful of them (i.e., the use of a deacon board or the belief that deacons should be male).

[Ryan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great option if you want to learn more about the office of Deacon.

[Danniel Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound in exposition of the office

As a new lead pastor of a small local congregation, the deacon office is something that I would eventually like to appoint to a husband and his wife in the future. But before I present such an idea to the church, I wanted to know what I should be looking for in a couple.

I fully know now that God has very high standards for the deacon office, but it is an office that if such saints have the godly character for it and perform it well, they will be greatly rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ.

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the necessity of deacons in the church.
I will definitely return to this resource as we seek to train and effectively deploy deacons in our church.
Highly recommend.