1 Timothy 3:8 ,“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”
Deacon is a term which comes “probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties).” [Strong’s Greek Dictionary] When used in the context of Christianity and especially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess), it refers to a minister, servant.
His role and duties include assisting the elders in the care, nurture and feeding of the flock. The standard is not as stringent when compared to the requirements of the elders. For one thing, the word “blameless” in 3:10 is not the same as in 3:2. The latter demands a stricter scrutiny where his entire life and character is to be irreproachable whereas the former points to a law abiding citizen where he has no criminal record. Perhaps it may be likened to the elder whose life is to be scrutinized by his enemy and the deacon’s life is scrutinized by his best friend.
This does not mean that with a lower standard than that of the elder’s, the deacon’s qualifications can be slighted or looked down upon. The standard is still all spiritual and far higher than that found in the world. Some of these qualifications will be the same as that of the elders but some qualifications for elders will not be required for the deacons. For example the first on the list is that the deacon must be “grave” which means “to be honest” and “not be doubletongued”. This is such a simple and obvious spiritual qualification that must be found in every believer where honesty in speech is required. “Let your yea be yea and nay, nay” was how the Lord Jesus Christ puts it. Anything more than this comes of evil” [cf. Matthew 5:37 ]. It reveals an evil heart. Perhaps an illustration might help explain the reality of this problem in our age and time. Some time back the church Session issued a statement on the King James Bible that “it has no mistakes.” Some doubletongued mischievous people would twist it and say: yes I believe and can agree with such a statement but what I really mean is that I believe the KJV translators translated all the mistakes in the original languages without mistakes!
Some deacons may not become elders as they may not possess eldership qualities. There must not be an automatic “promotion” just because there is a need and the “senior” deacon is “up for promotion”. Such kinds of eldership based upon seniority will destroy God’s church. It is our Asian culture to promote individuals because of seniority but this cultural practice must be avoided or else it will destroy God’s church. People who do not have all the eldership qualities must not be made elders. To disregard or lower God’s high standard for an elder is to sin against God and his church, and will inevitably ruin the person who has been made an elder when he lacks eldership qualifications. The greater sadness is that he will be judged by God severely together with those who knowingly made him an elder because of “seniority.”
If there is a younger deacon who has maturity and eldership qualities, he should become an elder. The “senior” deacon will remain a deacon and should not be made an elder. The argument that he will be slighted must not be taken into consideration at all, as eldership is not to be likened to a promotion like in the secular world. This is an office created and given by God Himself. No man has the right to correct or ignore God’s prescribed qualifications. If this same “senior” deacon threatens resignation because he has not been made an elder, then without hesitation his resignation must be accepted. He serves God and not man. This kind of “threat” reveals the unspiritual heart condition of the individual. He should all the more not be made an elder. Deaconship should also be removed from him.
The requirements might be a little less stringent than that for an elder but this does not mean that the office of deaconship is to be taken lightly or is not as crucial. In Calvary Pandan, the person has to be found a faithful deacon for at least two full terms of office i.e. six years before he can even be considered for eldership. There is no automatic “promotion.” A faithful deacon will make a faithful elder for he that is faithful in little will also be faithful in much. Deaconship is a noble office for they too serve the King of kings and Lord of lords.