What is the difference between an elder and a deacon? Is a deacon just a mini elder or elder-in-training, or is it a different job completely?

Sincerely, Job Placement

Dear Job Placement,

Some deacons eventually become elders, but the roles are definitely different.Elders have the responsibility of watching out for the entire congregation (1 Pet 5:2).Elders are sometimes called ‘pastors’ because they shepherd the church like a pastor shepherds a flock of sheep (1 Pet 5:3).Elders will give an account to God for every soul in their congregation (Heb 13:17).The responsibility for the health of the congregation is upon their shoulders.

On the other hand, deacons only have the responsibility of being servants.The word ‘deacon’ means ‘servant’ in Greek.To be a deacon is to be a servant, plain and simple.Deacons serve the elders.The responsibilities of an elder are so great that they must delegate certain task or be overwhelmed.The idea of delegating responsibility is as old as Moses (Ex 18:13-18).Even the apostles recognized a time to delegate work, so that they could get everything done (Acts 6:1-4).Deacons are responsible for the assignments designated to them by the elders.

Having said all that, the qualifications to become a deacon (1 Tim 3:8-13) are only slightly less stringent than those to become an elder (1 Tim 3:1-7, Tit 1:6-9).If a man is qualified to be a deacon, there is a decent chance that he will someday be qualified to serve as an elder.This is not always true though.Some deacons do not make good elders, nor do all deacons desire the work of being an elder (1 Tim 3:1).

I am a Christian and recently visited a local congregation where I noticed they were using different unleavened bread than is used at my home congregation.It was sort of homemade-looking, flaky and crusty, more like pie crust, and not the normal saltine-type of crackers. Is there some reason that they would use this other bread versus the crackers? Is it more like the original unleavened bread used by Christ and the apostles than the cracker style?

Sincerely, Store Bought

Dear Store Bought,

The only thing that matters is that the bread is unleavened.See this post for why the bread must be unleavened.The saltine-type crackers that you are used to are a mass produced, manufactured type of unleavened bread.The pie crust type was probably baked by a member of that congregation.It is doubtful that they baked it themselves for doctrinal reasons.Someone probably made it to be kind or frugal.Since Jesus didn’t have a Safeway or Costco to shop at, I’m sure the homemade type is closer to what He ate, but it really doesn’t matter.The only qualification is that the bread be without yeast.

     I saw your post today, "Daily Bread", and it brought a question to mind.  I have a friend who mentioned that while her and her husband are on vacation, they do the Lord's Supper by themselves wherever they may be. They go to the store and buy crackers and grape juice, then scope out a tranquil spot (like the beach or a park), he says the prayers, and then they partake.  I was under the assumption that this is wrong, that we need to be gathered as a congregation to do the Lord's Supper.  Now, this couple portrays themselves as being very righteous, but this seems off to me.  What's your take?

Sincerely,
All Or Nothing

Dear All Or Nothing,

You are right that partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a congregational activity, but this couple isn’t alone in their habit of partaking of it together while away from home.  Jesus says that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is amongst them (Matt 18:20).  Since it only takes two people to make a worship service, many folks think of these vacation gatherings as a temporary congregation and, therefore, feel at peace about taking the Lord’s Supper this way.  Though not ideal, in their opinion, it is better than not partaking at all.

Good brethren are divided on this issue, and there is decent logic on both sides.  It is best to leave such decisions to the conscience of each Christian (Rom 14:4-6).

     In a rage of anger, I threatened my wife and grandson.  My wife forgave me, God forgave me, but my grandson’s mother will not.  Why do I have to live with that sin for the rest of my life?

Sincerely,
Grieving Grandpa

Dear Grieving Grandpa,

Maybe you will have to live with it; maybe you won’t.  The physical consequences of sin still remain after forgiveness from God and even after forgiveness by our fellow man.  God says that we reap what we sow (Gal 6:7).  When we behave immorally toward a woman, lose our temper, mistreat others, are bad examples for our children, etc. – there are consequences to those choices.  God does offer forgiveness if we place our faith in Him (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” for more details), but that forgiveness doesn’t remove the consequences of sin in this life.  David sinned when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-4); God forgave David of the sin when David repented (2 Sam 12:13), but David’s child still died as a consequence of that sin (2 Sam 12:14).

We can’t tell you what the long-term consequences of this sin of anger will be, but part of being faithful is humbly facing those consequences head on.

I have been having an urge to read my Bible lately, but when I sit down to actually do so, it's so intimidating.  I don't know where to start, and I can think of at least five things that I want to look at.  Please help!

Sincerely, Study Stress

Dear Study Stress,

The key to any kind of worship or Bible study is to make it a regular habit.Daniel had a habit of praying (Dan 6:10).Make a decision to put Bible study into your day first (Matt 6:33) and schedule other things around it.Most people fail to study their Bibles because it isn’t a part of their regular life.Make it a part of your morning routine, your lunch break, or bedtime ritual.Somehow schedule it into your life and make it a habit.

After you do that, it is just a matter of what you want to learn first.Many people read a Psalm a day, a chapter of Proverbs each week, or use a ‘read the Bible in a year program’, or you grab one of those five things you want to look at and read away.Any of these is a perfectly acceptable system.In fact, you can buy Bibles that are organized, so that you read a little of the Old Testament and a little of the New Testament every day.For new Bible students, I often recommend reading the gospel of Matthew or the gospel of John first, so that you become acquainted with Christ’s life; then follow that up with the book of Acts and familiarize yourself with the first century church.

The goal is to study your Bible, not just read it.God tells us to study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim 2:15) and to meditate upon God’s Word (Ps 119:15).You could read through an entire book of the Bible in an hour or so but fail to appreciate any of it. Read your Bible with a notepad beside you and a pen or highlighter in hand.Write down your questions and get them answered.Highlight meaningful verses.If you don’t understand something, don’t move on until you do.It is more important that you understand than that you read a large portion of text.And lastly, enjoy your Bible reading time; you are reading the most influential and meaningful book on the planet!