Latterly, I got acquainted with the word “Deacon-possessed.” I had to guffaw and roar my heart out when I first saw the word. I thought I should have known it earlier, albeit, better late than never. In the 1st century Jesus had to deal with numerous people who were demon-possessed. If Jesus were walking our streets today in the 21st century He would have to deal with another subtle possession that invaded and plagued the church, namely Deacon-possession. Jesus exorcised the demons with the power of God back then. Now that Jesus is not here, we used His Name to exorcised demons. How about Deacon-possession? A friend of mine well suggested, we need biblical and theological exorcism for Deacon-possession.
What then is Deacon-possession? Possession basically means to be controlled or intensely influenced by someone or something. Deacon-possession is when anything and everything is controlled by deacons in the church. Naga churches are demagogically deacon-possessed to the core. We have this so called “Deacon Board.” What the fish? This board decides everything for the church, starting with the yearly or half yearly plans for the church. They decides what the Pastor should do (how ironic), sometimes what to preach (tragic). They keep the other departments in tight control. Nobody can move a finger without their approval in the church. I heard of this reputed church in Kohima where the Pastors were not allowed to attend the yearly plan because the deacons deemed that the job of the Pastor is just to preach on Sunday. The fishy Deacon Board banned the Pastors from attending the yearly plan for 3 years. Now without the Pastors, the Deacons planned the happenings of the church including the missions of the church. Bleh!
Who the heck are these Naga Deacons? Power-mongers, what else? May be I shouldn’t stereotype all Deacons. But again, I can’t help but continue stereotyping when I see who the Deacons are. Some are corroded retired officers. Many of these officers had not seen the church for decades. They did all the forbidden. But lo and behold, the chameleon change after retirement. Now he is a spiritual guru all of a sudden. Others are the corrupted Contractors and Officers. They steal all the possible money of the government and the common people and shamelessly bring their filthy offerings to the church, their offering eventually buying them the coveted post, a deacon. I bet most of these Deacons won’t even know how many books the bible contains. For them John 3:16 suffices.
I am appalled at the fact that these Bible illiterate Deacons are allowed to govern the church.They rule the Pastors and his associates. They have no respect whatsoever for the Pastors. They own and control the finance of the church. They manipulate the projects of the church. They are the mastermind of the church. They orchestrate the happenings of the church. Sadly, almost all of the Deacons are theologically untrained and biblically ignorant. They have no shred of idea how missions was done or supposed to be done biblically. They are zero literacy about biblical administration and functions of the church. They won’t even know their own qualifications much less their function. Had they knew? They won’t be Deacons in the first place.
Deacon-possession is initiated by the people themselves. To begin with, why was he made a deacon? Is it because he is a retired officer and that now he can help in building the new church? Is it because he is a successful businessman and his tithes can handle and sustain the new church project? Is it because he is an officer and contractor who can keep the church account in good standing? Is it because he is the original land owner of the plot where the church is located? Is it because he is a respected man in the society and he will make the church look good socially? Almost all Naga churches, in truth will say yes to the reasons stated. What a shame and ignominy, a disgrace to the biblical office of a deacon.
A biblical exorcism is the only solution to this malady. Who are the Deacons biblically? What are their qualifications and functions stated in the Bible?
The English word “deacon” is a loan-word from Latin (diaconus) and Greek (diakonos) which basically means ‘servant.’ It is interesting to note that ‘diakonos’ has a different nuance like every other Greek word used for servant in the New Testament such as “duolos, pais, letpeus…” The word “Diakonos” refers to a servant in relationship to his activity, one who renders service for the benefit of the other. It is also considered as the nearest word for service which is love-prompted. The word “deacon” can also denote a person who voluntarily serves others, prompted by a loving desire to benefit those served. A deacon then is one who is placed in an official position for a ministry of service to benefit others.
Most New Testament Scholars considers Acts 6:1-6; the choosing of the seven as the first deacons. They were to be men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom they may put in charge of necessary task. The qualification of a deacon is laid plain by Paul in 1 Tim 3:8-13: “8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
Now basically they are two offices mentioned for the church in the New Testament. One is of the pastor (elder/bishop) and the other is deacons. The Pastor or the Elder is the preacher and teacher and the spiritual leader. Biblically the deacons are supposed to be under the supervision of the Pastor. Now in our Naga churches it is otherwise. The purpose of the office of deacons is to serve in love and not to rule or manipulate. Our Naga churches also have to take into serious consideration the criteria and qualification mentioned in the scripture while appointing a deacon.
Some biblical principles to keep in mind when it comes to deacons or deaconship; the main function of a deacon is to serve in love. That is the very reason the Apostles appointed deacons to serve the benevolence ministry. Deacons were to serve so that the Apostles can pray and preach the word freely (Acts 6:1-6). Deacons were choosing because of their spiritual qualification (Acts 6:3; 5). The presence of Deacons should nurture the unity of the church (Acts 6:5) and it should further the cause of Evangelism (Acts 6:8). A Deacon apart from the qualification in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 should have a firm grasp of sound doctrine (Acts 6:9).
All to say, it is wrong in our Naga Churches when the Deacon Board or Managing Board controls and runs the church ignorantly, controlling the Pastors under them. When this happens, our churches are dangerously deacon-possessed.
