What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Testament Deacon: The Church's Minister of Mercy
Our heartfelt burden is to help deacons get out of the boardroom and building-maintenance mentality and into the people-serving mentality. Deacons, as the New testament teaches and as some of the sixteenth-century reformers discovered, are to be involved in a compassionate ministry of caring for the poor and needy. The deacons' ministry, therefore, is one that no Christ-centered, New Testament church can afford to neglect. It's through the deacons' ministry that we make Christ's love a reality for many people. A ground-breaking study of all the biblical texts on the subject, The New Testament Deacon: Minister of Mercy will help you build a strong ministry in your church. This book and its companion work The New Testament Deacon Study Guide , are widely used materials for training and equipping deacons.
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1992
30 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 20, 2021
A good read. Worth your time. I wish I would have read it sooner.
October 6, 2020
Half of this book is expended showing how deacons are not another board of elders on one extreme, nor a janitorial closet on the other. That's fine and well, but it doesnt need 80 pages to make the point. This book pales in excellence to Strauch's Biblical Eldership. Nonetheless, there are some few good takeaways. At the end of the day there is little practical application for one to get a good handle on what a deacon's service really is outside of assisting the poor. To be fair, Strauch does say up front that the Study Guide is made for this more practical purpose, so there ya go. Overall, I do not recommend this book.
December 2, 2013
I have read all of Alexander Strauch's books, and this one, which was first published in 1992 is a classic biblical treatment of the New testament deacon.
So succinct is this work that I read it in under 4 days, while on a break in London, England with family.
The first thing that impresses the attentive reader is Mr Strauch's commitment to 'Sola Scriptura', when he states on pages 8 and 9, "Indeed, the only diaconate worth discovering is the one found on the pages of the inspired New testament. No matter how limited that information may at first appear, God, in His perfect wisdom, has given us all the information we need." And so he proceeds, and cuts straight across any and all denominational or factional interests - a welcome approach, to this reviewer's mind!
By careful and clear exegesis, interpretation and prudent application Mr Strauch presents, defends and underscores his basic thesis, that no local church making a claim to be biblical or New Testament should be without a properly qualified, examined, authenticated and appointed body of male deacons.
His parallel thesis that the diaconate relieve the elder-pastors (or shepherds) of unnecessary and time-consuming tasks, so that they may give themselves to the word and prayer, is, in my view, well made and clearly proven.
All in all, Alexander Strauch brings together a vast array of relevant scripture, commentative authority, lexical support and the often forgotten needed element of good, sound sanctified common sense!
This small volume (191 pages, including footnotes and references etc.) is both an excellent primer and an authoritative reference on the New testament deacon.
Highly recommended. A 5-star read.
So succinct is this work that I read it in under 4 days, while on a break in London, England with family.
The first thing that impresses the attentive reader is Mr Strauch's commitment to 'Sola Scriptura', when he states on pages 8 and 9, "Indeed, the only diaconate worth discovering is the one found on the pages of the inspired New testament. No matter how limited that information may at first appear, God, in His perfect wisdom, has given us all the information we need." And so he proceeds, and cuts straight across any and all denominational or factional interests - a welcome approach, to this reviewer's mind!
By careful and clear exegesis, interpretation and prudent application Mr Strauch presents, defends and underscores his basic thesis, that no local church making a claim to be biblical or New Testament should be without a properly qualified, examined, authenticated and appointed body of male deacons.
His parallel thesis that the diaconate relieve the elder-pastors (or shepherds) of unnecessary and time-consuming tasks, so that they may give themselves to the word and prayer, is, in my view, well made and clearly proven.
All in all, Alexander Strauch brings together a vast array of relevant scripture, commentative authority, lexical support and the often forgotten needed element of good, sound sanctified common sense!
This small volume (191 pages, including footnotes and references etc.) is both an excellent primer and an authoritative reference on the New testament deacon.
Highly recommended. A 5-star read.
June 24, 2023
A good survey and exposition of what the Bible says about deacons. Strauch exposits Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3 thoroughly. At times it is overly academic and pedantic, but it is solid. Usually predictable, but now and then there are gems in the exposition. Here’s one example:
1 Timothy 3:13 says that deacons who serve well will obtain “great boldness in the faith.” Strauch: “as deacons faithfully serve, they also develop their spiritual lives, particularly their faith in Christ” (pg 151). There is a lot of spiritual insight, there.
I’ve noted a stark difference between my church experience and Scripture in this way: in Acts 6 the deacons are given authority for a field of activity, and then left to do it, while the elders pray and teach the Word. In the church today, deacons don’t do anything unless the elders tell them to! This is as often the fault of the elders being disorganized as it is of negligence on the part of the deacons. Deacons are a key link in the structure of the church, receiving authority from elders to serve, and then coordinating and delegating some of that authority to the body of believers.
The main point Strauch makes topically, in applying to the church scene today, is crucial. At the beginning and end of the book he asserts this:
Most churches make deacons either rulers of the church or janitors. The Bible makes them neither. They are agents of mercy with real authority under the elders, to provide for those in need.
May our deacons aim for this purpose, serving God’s people faithfully.
1 Timothy 3:13 says that deacons who serve well will obtain “great boldness in the faith.” Strauch: “as deacons faithfully serve, they also develop their spiritual lives, particularly their faith in Christ” (pg 151). There is a lot of spiritual insight, there.
I’ve noted a stark difference between my church experience and Scripture in this way: in Acts 6 the deacons are given authority for a field of activity, and then left to do it, while the elders pray and teach the Word. In the church today, deacons don’t do anything unless the elders tell them to! This is as often the fault of the elders being disorganized as it is of negligence on the part of the deacons. Deacons are a key link in the structure of the church, receiving authority from elders to serve, and then coordinating and delegating some of that authority to the body of believers.
The main point Strauch makes topically, in applying to the church scene today, is crucial. At the beginning and end of the book he asserts this:
Most churches make deacons either rulers of the church or janitors. The Bible makes them neither. They are agents of mercy with real authority under the elders, to provide for those in need.
May our deacons aim for this purpose, serving God’s people faithfully.
March 20, 2021
Very good. A good introduction on the subject.
March 9, 2021
Well written and explained for the lay level deacon. However, this was a biblicist understanding lacking theoligical and confessional depth. In the book's presentation, the diaconate was limited in its ministry, which limits the effectiveness of this book. 3.5 stars is more accurate.
April 14, 2012
The title pretty much tells what this book is about. It looks at the New Testament scriptures describing deacons in the church. In doing so, he divides the book into four parts: (1) dividing the work (between elders and deacons); (2) a church with two offices (elders and deacons); (3) qualifications for deacons; and (4) the importance of deacons.
In summary, the deacon's role is to be the church's minister of mercy. Mercy is compassion and a disposition to help another, but it requires an active expression. In other words, it requires a practical demonstration of the kindness inherent in the emotion. (154-155) The church is the body of Christ, with Christ's mercy and his example to follow. Elders lead the church and deacons serve the church through mercy and love to meet people's practical, physical needs. Strauch clearly distinguishes between the roles of elders and those of deacons; but he is quick to note that neither is superior to the other, and serving as a deacon is not simply preparation for eldership. Deacons are entrusted with leading and coordinating the church's acts of mercy. As Strach put it, they are "Agents of Christ's Mercy." (154)
Strauch packs a lot into a small space, but he is short on application. He explicitly acknowledges that in the introduction and notes that he has a separate guide book to deal with the practical implementation of things discussed in the book. (12) Although it can be a helpful book, I fear that it is one that I'm glad that I've read, but that will sit on my shelf until I lend it to someone else to read.
In summary, the deacon's role is to be the church's minister of mercy. Mercy is compassion and a disposition to help another, but it requires an active expression. In other words, it requires a practical demonstration of the kindness inherent in the emotion. (154-155) The church is the body of Christ, with Christ's mercy and his example to follow. Elders lead the church and deacons serve the church through mercy and love to meet people's practical, physical needs. Strauch clearly distinguishes between the roles of elders and those of deacons; but he is quick to note that neither is superior to the other, and serving as a deacon is not simply preparation for eldership. Deacons are entrusted with leading and coordinating the church's acts of mercy. As Strach put it, they are "Agents of Christ's Mercy." (154)
Strauch packs a lot into a small space, but he is short on application. He explicitly acknowledges that in the introduction and notes that he has a separate guide book to deal with the practical implementation of things discussed in the book. (12) Although it can be a helpful book, I fear that it is one that I'm glad that I've read, but that will sit on my shelf until I lend it to someone else to read.
August 22, 2012
Solid and helpful introduction to the biblical material relating to deacons. Deacons are servants, ministers of mercy, which distinguishes them from elders, who lead the church primarily through teaching. Deacons have authority and leadership in the church, which necessitates that they be examined and found to have moral character that matches that of an elder, but it is not required for the person or task of a deacon that they be able to teach. Deacons are not janitors or professional committee-sitters, but are the eyes and hands of Christ to minister to those in need on behalf of the church for the sake of Christ.
Originally read 2.21.11
Originally read 2.21.11
April 10, 2013
Clear, straightforward teaching on deacons. Agreed with his take on "one-woman man" qualification of deacons. However, I had trouble with his view that the women mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 are the wives of deacons. Also his take on the role of deacons was too restrictive. Otherwise a helpful and biblical explanation of deacons.
June 29, 2021
An excellent introduction to and overview of the ministry of deacons, from a baptist, congregationalist background.
It's clear from the beginning that Strauch loves the church and the Word of God, and this makes the reading refreshing and challenging all the way through.
Despite coming from a baptist, congregationalist background, Strauch doesn't skimp on church history, and there is some excellent material in the main text and the notes.
The book argues well for the necessity of the ministry and office of deacon, for it's being distinguished from the office of elder/overseer(pastor), and for a plurality of elders and deacons serving each local church.
Strauch emphasises, correctly, the importance of character qualifications for Christian leadership, including for deacons, and argues, also correctly, for the origin of the ministry of deacons in Acts 6.
Strauch's understanding of deacons is basically the 'narrow' view, restricting them to practical ministries of mercy rather than emphasising support of the elders/overseers. He also argues 1. Tim. 3.11 refers to the wives of deacons as opposed to deaconesses, and therefore against the office of deaconess, two points I see differently.
All in all though, a book well worth reading and coming back to when thinking about church offices, the ministry of deacons and the qualifications for Christian leadership.
It's clear from the beginning that Strauch loves the church and the Word of God, and this makes the reading refreshing and challenging all the way through.
Despite coming from a baptist, congregationalist background, Strauch doesn't skimp on church history, and there is some excellent material in the main text and the notes.
The book argues well for the necessity of the ministry and office of deacon, for it's being distinguished from the office of elder/overseer(pastor), and for a plurality of elders and deacons serving each local church.
Strauch emphasises, correctly, the importance of character qualifications for Christian leadership, including for deacons, and argues, also correctly, for the origin of the ministry of deacons in Acts 6.
Strauch's understanding of deacons is basically the 'narrow' view, restricting them to practical ministries of mercy rather than emphasising support of the elders/overseers. He also argues 1. Tim. 3.11 refers to the wives of deacons as opposed to deaconesses, and therefore against the office of deaconess, two points I see differently.
All in all though, a book well worth reading and coming back to when thinking about church offices, the ministry of deacons and the qualifications for Christian leadership.
June 18, 2023
This book does an excellent job of succinctly examining what the bible has to say about deacons and their ministry: a ministry of mercy, compassion, kindness, and love to the church's most important asset - people, imitating Christ in this work. This book expounds upon the importance and dignity of a deacons work and of the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3.
Strauch does an excellent job of two things: presenting the cases for various positions regarding difficult terms (e.g. "husband of one wife", whether 1 Timothy 3 describes deaconesses or deacons' wives), and in giving historical background to how the ancient church, the church through history, and different denominations have answered some of these questions, how they regarded the deaconate, or how deacons were utilized. I especially encourage you to read the footnotes of this book - if you are not so usually inclined - as that is where a lot of the interesting historical information, and a deeper dive into resolving some difficult questions, is found.
Strauch does an excellent job of two things: presenting the cases for various positions regarding difficult terms (e.g. "husband of one wife", whether 1 Timothy 3 describes deaconesses or deacons' wives), and in giving historical background to how the ancient church, the church through history, and different denominations have answered some of these questions, how they regarded the deaconate, or how deacons were utilized. I especially encourage you to read the footnotes of this book - if you are not so usually inclined - as that is where a lot of the interesting historical information, and a deeper dive into resolving some difficult questions, is found.
Read
September 1, 2023This particular volume is very strong in its exegesis on the biblical foundations of the deaconate. It really helped me to understand the role of biblical deacons and well as the congregational need for them.
Where this book lacked, however was specific helps on how the deacons go about their office. Granted it will look different for every church but simply stating "the deacons do this or that" it would have been to at least have guidance on how they should generally go about it.
My guess is that most readers of this book are church leaders who are leading churches that don't have a biblical diaconate yet. While this book is helpful on the prescriptive, it's not strong on the descriptive of deacons in action.
Where this book lacked, however was specific helps on how the deacons go about their office. Granted it will look different for every church but simply stating "the deacons do this or that" it would have been to at least have guidance on how they should generally go about it.
My guess is that most readers of this book are church leaders who are leading churches that don't have a biblical diaconate yet. While this book is helpful on the prescriptive, it's not strong on the descriptive of deacons in action.
December 20, 2022
I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars. It was ok. I think Strauch did a good job explaining the qualifications of a deacon but I don't think he made a good case for the Seven of Acts 6 being deacons (although I think there is a good case to make) or the necessity for more than one deacon at a time, nor does he expand on the practical role of a deacon well. All in all, this is a good introduction but it left me wanting a lot more.
September 1, 2020
Great book on the subject of deacons. Strauch puts them in correct perspective, neither elevating them to the ruling role in the church nor relegating them to a janitorial status. He thoroughly explains the key passages of Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3, and explains convincingly against women occupying the diaconate. Recommended.
August 11, 2017
Well thought out. I would want to push back on some of the things he said. My general concern is trying to study the office of deacon only using the New Testament. The Old Testament is foundational for deacons and their role in the church.
December 1, 2020
An excellent look at what the Bible says about the office of deacon. Strauch examines Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3 in detail and walks through the role and purpose of deacons and the qualifications for deacons.
January 20, 2021
Strauch is always biblically based and well worth reading.
October 19, 2022
A practical and biblical guide to training and equipping deacons in the church. Overall very helpful.
May 25, 2023
Clear and helpful. A bit outdated in the conversation of female deacons.
October 19, 2025
Favorite book on deacons. Comprehensive and thorough.
October 28, 2025
A thorough examination of the Deacon's role, to the point of repetition and nauseum at times.
Worth the read.
Worth the read.
November 20, 2025
Great and thorough!
March 25, 2022
Strauch is known for his book on eldership, not deacons. I am giving this book 3 stars because it says a lot in a few pages, it is tightly tethered to the NT text, it speaks boldly to an area that is overlooked in many churches--including churches that I have been a part of.
In this book Strauch calls for deacons to serve the physical needs of the congregation, to be formally examined/tested (I Tim 3:10), to complement the elders, to have qualified godly wives (I Tim 3:11). He understands Acts 6 as prototypical for a diaconate.
This book as been on my shelf for a long time and I would have profited had I read it earlier. I recommend it to church leaders and those interested in learning more about issues related to deacons/deaconesses.
Below you will find some of his sentences that were most helpful to me early in the book.
Strauch writes:
"My heartfelt burden is to help deacons get out of the boardroom or the building maintenance mentality and into the people-serving mentality (11)."
"The two major categories of officials in the church at Jerusalem were the apostles and the Seven (30)."
"The Seven formed a distinct body of officials who were separate from the apostles. They were not equal with the apostles, nor were they junior apostles or shepherds in training. They did not become assistants to the apostles. The Seven formed a separate but complementary ministry to that of the apostles (42)."
"Thus a local church today has flexibility in how its deacons are chosen, how many are selected, and what they specifically are to do. As long as the deacons enable the shepherds of the church to carry out their primary duties, and as long as the deacons minister to the congregation's welfare needs, they are doing their job (43)."
"Conspicuously absent in the deacon's list of requirements are the qualifications "able to teach" and "hospitable (54)."
"Since the first Christians did not have buildings to maintain, the first deacons were preeminently people-helpers and administrators of the church's charity. They were ministers of mercy (75)."
This would prohibit deacons from polygamy, unlawful second marriages, concubinage, homosexuality, and/or any questionable relationship with the opposite sex. (140)
There is, however, what appears to be a consistent precedent: a polity in which elders, without a single president, rule and deacons serve the congregation (Culver, Systematic Theology, 940).
In this book Strauch calls for deacons to serve the physical needs of the congregation, to be formally examined/tested (I Tim 3:10), to complement the elders, to have qualified godly wives (I Tim 3:11). He understands Acts 6 as prototypical for a diaconate.
This book as been on my shelf for a long time and I would have profited had I read it earlier. I recommend it to church leaders and those interested in learning more about issues related to deacons/deaconesses.
Below you will find some of his sentences that were most helpful to me early in the book.
Strauch writes:
"My heartfelt burden is to help deacons get out of the boardroom or the building maintenance mentality and into the people-serving mentality (11)."
"The two major categories of officials in the church at Jerusalem were the apostles and the Seven (30)."
"The Seven formed a distinct body of officials who were separate from the apostles. They were not equal with the apostles, nor were they junior apostles or shepherds in training. They did not become assistants to the apostles. The Seven formed a separate but complementary ministry to that of the apostles (42)."
"Thus a local church today has flexibility in how its deacons are chosen, how many are selected, and what they specifically are to do. As long as the deacons enable the shepherds of the church to carry out their primary duties, and as long as the deacons minister to the congregation's welfare needs, they are doing their job (43)."
"Conspicuously absent in the deacon's list of requirements are the qualifications "able to teach" and "hospitable (54)."
"Since the first Christians did not have buildings to maintain, the first deacons were preeminently people-helpers and administrators of the church's charity. They were ministers of mercy (75)."
This would prohibit deacons from polygamy, unlawful second marriages, concubinage, homosexuality, and/or any questionable relationship with the opposite sex. (140)
There is, however, what appears to be a consistent precedent: a polity in which elders, without a single president, rule and deacons serve the congregation (Culver, Systematic Theology, 940).
February 20, 2017
This was quite good. Quick. Direct to the point. Helpful for churchmen. It feels a bit like an appendix to his more thorough work on Biblical Eldership; but admittedly the texts in Scripture regarding deacons and their work is significantly less.
With the texts there are, Strauch does a deft job of demonstrating what the scope and role for the diaconate is, as well as the great need for godly mercy ministry in the church. This stirred up a few thoughts that I'll hope to get to in the coming days. This was very helpful. Highly recommended for men who desire to serve the Church, and do so biblically.
With the texts there are, Strauch does a deft job of demonstrating what the scope and role for the diaconate is, as well as the great need for godly mercy ministry in the church. This stirred up a few thoughts that I'll hope to get to in the coming days. This was very helpful. Highly recommended for men who desire to serve the Church, and do so biblically.
April 20, 2013
This is by far the best book I have ever read on Deacon's Ministry. The book itself is basically a exegesis on every passage in the Scriptures concerning the office of the Deacon. There are a couple places I disagree with the author (One, is he doesn't come straight out and prohibit the deacon from the use of alcohol, which I think is a Biblical position since all modern day wine falls under the category of "strong drink" which the scriptures unilaterally condemns.) However, minor disagreement is most often the case with almost every author. By and large though, the author does a superb job in laying out clearly the Biblical role of the deacon as opposed to what it has evolved into today in the average evangelical church. I suggest this book should be mandatory reading for all pastors and deacons. If all church leaders would adopt the premise of this book and abide by them, churches would become spiritually healthy, and much more ministry would be accomplished.
June 16, 2014
I am currently going through church officer (deacon) training, and this book is required reading for the trainees.
There was nothing particularly earth shattering for me in this book as I have, in my adult life at least, always attended churches with a healthy diaconate (indeed, and a healthy relationship between shepherds and deacons). So I've had a series of good examples of properly functioning church leadership.
I did however find it helpful as it laid out Scriptural reasoning behind necessity of a qualified diaconate, relationship between the branches of church leadership, and duties/expectations of deacons.
I would certainly recommend it to really anyone in the church, not just those training for church leadership, and certainly as a good review for current church leaders. I know I plan on using it as a reference and review in the future, whether or not I end up becoming deacon.
There was nothing particularly earth shattering for me in this book as I have, in my adult life at least, always attended churches with a healthy diaconate (indeed, and a healthy relationship between shepherds and deacons). So I've had a series of good examples of properly functioning church leadership.
I did however find it helpful as it laid out Scriptural reasoning behind necessity of a qualified diaconate, relationship between the branches of church leadership, and duties/expectations of deacons.
I would certainly recommend it to really anyone in the church, not just those training for church leadership, and certainly as a good review for current church leaders. I know I plan on using it as a reference and review in the future, whether or not I end up becoming deacon.
April 26, 2018
The word 'deacon' may mean a number of things to modern-day churchgoers (or nothing at all). In this short book Strauch seeks to build a picture of what a Bible-based deacon should look like today. More than being someone chosen to sit on a church board to make practical decisions, and more than being someone who keeps the church tidy, Strauch sketches for us someone involved in the compassionate ministry of caring for the poor and needy. The book separates out the roles of elders (or shepherds) and deacons (or servants) and the functions of both. It also looks in depth at the character qualifications for both, and the need for churches to examine the men they elect and ordain into any office. Overall it's a compelling argument for the blessings that churches can enjoy if they elect Bible-believing, godly agents of Christ's mercy.
June 12, 2012
I liked this book, though I struggle a bit with Stauch's interpretation of the role of women as deacons. I don't care what title you give to a woman who is under church oversight and has a heart for ministry, mission, seeing other people meet Jesus, and coaching other female Christians. The fact is, women are functioning as deacons when they take on these roles and should be held to the scrutiny described in 1 Timothy. Just like you do not have to be a married man to serve as deacon, you shouldn't have to be the wife of a deacon to support the elders of the church.
Otherwise, I quite enjoyed the book and liked the detail paid to each component of the verse describing the qualifications for a deacon.
Otherwise, I quite enjoyed the book and liked the detail paid to each component of the verse describing the qualifications for a deacon.
June 8, 2012
Like everything I've read from Strauch, this book contains good biblical study with a clear presentation. The position he takes on deacons seems overly restrictive to me. He argues that deacons are "ministers of mercy" (a la the title), and seems to say that they should practically do only mercy kind of ministry. For instance, he doesn't want them to serve on building committees or do other physical labor for the church.
He takes Acts 6 as a strong prototype for deacons.
He takes 1 Tim. 3:11 as deacon's wives, arguing that deaconesses is the weakest of the three views (deaconess, women who help deacons, deacons' wives).
Overall, great exposure to all the key passages on deacons as well as main viewpoints, fairly presented even though I end up disagreeing with some conclusions.
He takes Acts 6 as a strong prototype for deacons.
He takes 1 Tim. 3:11 as deacon's wives, arguing that deaconesses is the weakest of the three views (deaconess, women who help deacons, deacons' wives).
Overall, great exposure to all the key passages on deacons as well as main viewpoints, fairly presented even though I end up disagreeing with some conclusions.
January 17, 2015
Why only three stars? While I agree that this book throughly covers the Biblical basis for deacons, it seemed to me to spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on the topic of women as deacons. And, despite many words supporting the author's case, I was left unconvinced.
Life is short, my attention span is shorter, and in my reading what I appreciate most is concise text. After finishing this book, I read Wayne Grudem's discussion of the same topic, which Grudem covers concisely and completely in less than ten pages.
So, in summary, this is not a bad book, but I think it would be better if it were condensed.
Life is short, my attention span is shorter, and in my reading what I appreciate most is concise text. After finishing this book, I read Wayne Grudem's discussion of the same topic, which Grudem covers concisely and completely in less than ten pages.
So, in summary, this is not a bad book, but I think it would be better if it were condensed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews