What is a deacon? Why does the Bible establish this role in the life of the church? In this sermon from 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and Acts 6:1–7, Pastor Evan Bialk explores the biblical office of deacon—its purpose, qualifications, and modern application. Learn how deacons preserve unity, serve practical needs, and reflect the servant-heart of Jesus. Discover how Bethel Baptist Church is expanding its vision for deacon ministry to include care, hospitality, and mercy—not just facilities and finance. This message is part of the Ekklesia: God’s Design for His Church series.

Over the past few weeks in our Ekklesia series, we’ve explored what the church is, why it exists, and the vision Christ has for His people. We’ve seen that the church isn’t just a gathering—it’s a gospel-shaped community, called to worship, make disciples, and reflect the glory of God.

And now, as we turn to the topic of leadership, we’re asking: How does Jesus care for and guide His church today? Scripture shows us two distinct offices—elders and deacons—given by Christ for the health, protection, and flourishing of His people. This week, we begin with the office of Elder.

In this sermon, we look at the importance of church membership, what church membership is, and gain understanding why it is so important to be a member of a local body of believers.