JGR wrote: "I personally believe we should consider every person who functions in a specific ministry or service in the church as a “deacon” or “minister.” Every Sunday School teacher along with every choir member, and the person in charge of a food bank, is a “minister.” Scripture use of the word “deacon” simply will not allow for an “office” called Deacon and another “office” called Minister. "
   
  John, I have something to ask you.  We know what the qualifications of deacons are as laid out in Scripture.  Let's set aside, for one moment, what both of us may believe what a deacon's role or function or whether it should be an office.  Here are the qualifications of deacon from Timothy:
   
  1.  Deacons must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine for fond of sordid gain.  Okay...probably, behaviors that all Christians should be exhibiting.  
   
  2. Deacons must be beyond approach.  Whoa!  Now, we're getting in touchy areas.  You know, David, was a man of God, but you know, he was not qualified to be pastor or deacon.  Quite amazing.   If we take your position, then every man and woman who wants to serve in the above manner you listed, must be beyond reproach.  This is not a reality.
   
  3.  Women must likewise be dignified, not malicous gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.  Okay,  I think these are behaviors that God's people should practice if they want to serve in any capacity or should be practicing if they are Christians.  
   
  4.  Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Whoa!  Unfortunately, not a reality for a percentage of the saints.  Sometime the fault of the men, sometimes, beyond the their control.  What you are advocating is that every one who wants to serve in the above manner you listed above, cannot have had more than one wife, and good managers of children and their own households.  Hmmm...
   
  There are also some other things mentioned in Titus e.g., like they must be pure in doctrine.  
   
  Setting aside, I believe the Scriptures to be quite clear, in my view, of advocating an office for deacon, in order for a person to serve in the capacity that you mentioned above, and in capacities that you did not mention, every single person would have to fit the qualifications above.  Are you advocating that one who wants to serve must fit the qualifications above?
   
  Carlo

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