Humble Beginnings

The Diaconate has a very interesting beginning.

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.  And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. - Acts 6:1-2

The Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek and lived according to Greek customs.  The Hebrews, or Hebrew-speaking Jews, in this sense, were those who had become followers of Christ.

So, in the early days of the Church, there is a conflict over food?

Actually, the conflict runs much deeper, and in some ways the philosophical differences remain with us today as modern-day Christians.

Hellenists and Hebrews may both have been followers of Christ, but they came about it differently.  Those with a foundation in the Jewish God of the Old Testament, saw Jesus as the Messiah and were able to comprehend the unity with and of God, while the Hellenists had a foundation in Greek Philosophy, wo they came to followers of the teachings with little understanding of the God who is one in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This rift leads to the question, how could you be followers of Christ and not leave something on the table for the poor widows who have no means of support?

According to one commentary, there is a great deal more going on here than it appears to us looking back from the present.

The need to serve the poor is just one aspect of what the Apostles were neglecting in the fulfillment of their ministry.  While they focused on the teachings and spreading the word, the growing needs related to church management were making demands on their time, and they were in need of help.

It is because of this gap that the Diaconate was formed, choosing seven men from the Hellenists, the groups neglected, to be the ones who would attend to these duties.

If the story ended there, the role of the deacon would be primarily administrative, but one of the seven, Stephen, performed great signs among the people, and as the numbers of followers increased, the job changed.

Today, the deacon performs the role of server at table in a symbolic sense by setting the altar and distributing the Sacrament.  But that is where the deacon's service to the people begins.  As a servant minister, the deacon is among the people most of the time, sharing God's Word and discovering what is needed so that the Church can be informed and aware.

From the humble beginnings of meeting at table to feed the poor and handle the business of the church, the deacon has evolved into a conduit for the church and the people, a bridge, helping to bring people to the Gospel and the Gospel to the people, in thought, word and deed.

It's a great ministry and it continues to grow.  In a way, we have those Hellenists to thank.  If they hadn't been the first to complain about the failings of the leaders, the rift between the two cultures might have grown and separated the Church.

There might be a lesson in that for us today.