Deacon

Definition and Meaning

A deacon holds a church office responsible for service, ministry, and the practical affairs of the congregation. The term translates the New Testament Greek word diakonos, which originally meant "attendant" or "servant." In Korean churches it is the office held by the largest number of laypeople. It is broadly divided into the ordained deacon (ansu jipsa), who receives ordination, and the acting deacon (seori jipsa), who is appointed each year.

Biblical and Historical Background

Acts 6:1-6 records that the apostles chose seven men and laid hands on them, entrusting them with the work of relief for the needy. This event is commonly regarded as the origin of the diaconate. However, because the title "deacon" does not appear in the passage itself, interpreters differ on whether it marks the beginning of the office. Philippians 1:1 mentions deacons alongside bishops, and 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sets out the qualifications for deacons.

During the Reformation, John Calvin divided church offices into pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons, and assigned deacons the care of the poor. The Presbyterian diaconate continues this tradition. In the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church, by contrast, the deacon's office is the first grade of holy orders.

Practice in Korean Churches

Ordained Deacons and Acting Deacons

• Ordained deacon: In Presbyterian churches, ordained deacons are elected by the congregational meeting, the assembly of all members, and after a period of training receive ordination at an installation service. The office is a permanent one (hangjonjik, "an office that always exists") that is retained once conferred, and the holder retires from active service upon reaching the age set by the denomination's constitution.
• Acting deacon: Seori means "to serve temporarily in another's place." Acting deacons are appointed by the session from among baptized members for one-year terms and are not ordained. Because the office is often conferred widely on members who have attended for a certain period, some churches have a very large number of acting deacons.

Both kinds of deacons are members of the board of officers and oversee the practical affairs of the church, including finances, relief, and facilities management.

Denominational Differences

• Presbyterian: Ordained deacons and acting deacons are distinguished. Lay offices generally progress from acting deacon to ordained deacon or kwonsa (exhorter) and then to elder. Many other denominations, including the Holiness and Full Gospel churches, make a similar distinction.
• Korean Methodist Church: Deacons are appointed, and the system is understood to place exhorters and elders above them.
• Baptist churches: Many congregations do not have separate elders. In such churches, ordained deacons often serve as lay leaders who share in governing the church.
• Anglican Church of Korea: The office corresponding to deacon is the buje (deacon in holy orders), an order received before ordination to the priesthood.
• Women: In Presbyterian and other churches, women often serve as acting deacons and then become kwonsa. Whether women may be ordained as deacons depends on each denomination's constitution (see Ordination of women).