What Are Appointed Servants?

Sunrise Bible Fellowship

Red Bluff, CA

What Are Appointed Servants? (return to resources)

The New Testament of the Bible mentions a person within the church called a "diakonos". The word translated means "one who is appointed to serve" and is commonly transliterated "deacon." We prefer to use the translation "Appointed Servant" because it clears up the question of who must meet the qualifications for a "diakonos" in 1 Timothy 3. We apply these requirements to anyone who is appointed to serve in a specific capacity in the church. Current Appointed Servants serve as Sunday School Teachers, Bathroom Cleaners, Foreign Missions Coordinators, Preachers, Counselors Bible Study Leaders, Youth Workers and in many other positions.

We believe that 1 Timothy 3:11 discusses requirements for "women" (NASB) who are appointed to serve, rather than "their wives" (NIV/KJV) for several reasons, including:

	The word "gunaikos" literally means women, this word can refer to a woman of any age, single or married (in which case she would be a wife), so context determines whether this means "wives" or "women".
	The word "diakonos" is a masculine term, so to refer to a female who was appointed to serve, the best way to do it would be to say "a woman should do likewise", within the context of a discussion of what the role of "diakonos" should look like. This is what 1 Timothy 3:11 does.
	The Bishop/Overseer (also Elder and Pastor 1 Peter5:1-2a "To the elders among you... Be shepherds [pastor is Latin for shepherd] of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers...") is a more strictly regulated position, yet there are no requirements for the wives of Bishops/Overseer.

Pastor Pat Hurton 527-6818 Pastor Byron Shaw 527-5654 Youth Director Chris Hurton 529-6884

Corner of Cedar St. and Jackson St. Red Bluff, CA 96080

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