In a Cloud of Dust

The role of the deacon is one that should be held in high praise. Every denomination seems to have their own understanding of what a deacon’s role is, but consistently each denomination sees deaconesses and deacons as key people and figures for the life of their community.

The word “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diokania” which actually has many meanings. One meaning is, “service rendered in an intermediary capacity.” In other words, deacons stand as mediators between two things. The church and God! Deacons are seen as people who work for the Church of Jesus Christ and therefore mediate similarly to that of the pastor – they listen for God’s direction and convey love to the congregation.

“Diokania” can also mean, “performance of a service.” A deacon serves. They work for the church. They “do” on behalf of the church. They provide love, vision, support, care, and a warm body in the pews for the church. Deacons don’t just listen to God, the serve on behalf of God. Deacons are committed people of faith who serve all those they come in contact with.

In short, a deacon listens and serves.

But my favorite part of this word is in its etymology. It comes from an ancient language that renders the meaning of “dusty sandals” or a “cloud of dust.” This paints and eloquent picture of the deacon, for it illustrates that she or he should be serving the people of God’s kingdom so much and so fast that a cloud of dust stirs behind them.

So here we have an office that’s main function is not a bank teller, fortune teller, or country club president but rather that of a mobilizer.

But I must stop here and not get carried away because a core Baptist distinctive is that we are a priesthood of believers. This means all Baptists are seen as priests and therefore all of us are equal in stature. All can read scripture for yourself, pray for yourself; you don’t have to go through your pastor to reach God. You are your own priest. You and God work together.

So the real question is “why do we need deacons?” As true as Baptists are all priests, we need deacons because we need an intentional group of activists for bursts at a time to listen for God’s direction.

The world is filled with the muted cries of persons who hurt. People are lonely, lost, and confused. Having no foundation on which to stand and no North Star by which to set their life’s compass, many persons are like dilapidated ships floating aimlessly at sea. The church is a port for these people to anchor into. But deacons are the ones who go out into the deep blue sea and find them and help them come home.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 goes into great detail about the qualifications of a deacon. The most poignant part of Timothy’s section on deacons, for me, is a word I want to challenge all of us by: “In all you do, be someone who keeps the mystery of our faith close to heart and in a clear conscious.”

The mystery of God is what wraps us up in the arms of love and allows us to submit our lives to a ministry of service. It’s what gives us hope to live, hope to move, and hope to become fully alive.

May all of us embrace the mystery of God’s grace, for it has the power to turn all our feet into clouds of dust.