A deacon is a person who serves in a church. While every Christian serves in a church, a deacon serves in a certain way. Deacons serve, but they are also leaders. The word “deacon” is similar to the Greek word for “servant.” A deacon helps other Christians with things they need, such as food and money. In the New Testament, deacons made sure that whatever money or food that Christians gave to the church would be shared fairly with the people who needed it (see: Acts 6:1-7).
Paul wrote about what kind of person should be a deacon (see: 1 Timothy 3:8-13). A deacon must be honest and respectable, and must believe the right things about God.