Giants of the Reformation (7)

But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being foundblameless. 1 Timothy 3.10

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“The care of the poor was entrusted to the deacons…Unless my judgment deceive me, in the first clause [of Rom. 12.8] he designates the deacons who distribute the alms. But the second refers to those who had devoted themselves to the care of the sick…If we accept this (as it must be accepted), there will be two kinds of deacons: one to serve the church in administering the affairs of the poor; the other, in caring for the poor themselves…Scripture specifically designates as deacons those whom the church has appointed to distribute alms and take care of the poor, and serve as stewards of the common chest of the poor.”

By “poor” here Calvin means people with various sorts of material needs, not only or necessarily those who are chronically poor. One of the primary ministries of the church, as Calvin understood it, was to care for the material needs of members in its community. For this, deacons were appointed to collect, manage, and distribute alms, as needs arose or ongoing care was required. All the reformers were urgent about the duty of caring for the poor, and, typically, the pastors were counted among the first of the poor to be cared for by the church’s alms (see the reading of Calvin’s will in The Record of the Company of Pastors in Geneva in the Time of Calvin). Thus, the ministry of deacons complemented that of the elders, by seeing to it that no want of material necessities became a hindrance to anyone growing in Christ and serving others. Theirs was as truly a spiritual ministry as that of the pastors and elders. Together, these three offices are the shepherds appointed for the care of God’s flock.

What do the deacons do in your church? How does their work complement that of the pastor(s) and elders?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The work of ministry is what saints are being equipped for, and which they do in the “as-you-are-goings” of their lives. But the flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.