Send us a text

A lot of churches have deacons. Far fewer have a clear, biblical vision for what deacons actually do. We sit down with Dr. Tony Wolfe—Executive Director-Treasurer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and first author in our Courier Publishing 1821 line—to reframe the deacon’s office around four essentials that change how a church lives: lead by example, serve the people, support the pastor and staff, and protect the peace.

Tony shares how a simple, practical training he created in 2017 grew into a globally used resource and now a revised, expanded book designed for any church size. We explore Acts 6 as the prototype for deacons, why unity in John 17 is mission-critical, and how 1 Timothy 3 should be read as character in motion, not a one-time checklist. We also get honest about the “deacon board” problem—how corporate language formed corporate habits—and why shifting to “deacon body” helps restore an organic, relational, service-first culture.

You’ll hear step-by-step counsel for pastors navigating de facto elder-deacons, including why changing documents without changing culture backfires, how to win buy‑in through relationships, and what a year of meaningful deacon training can look like in monthly meetings or an annual retreat. We get practical on conflict too: deacons as early responders who defuse tensions before they explode, applying Matthew 18 with wisdom, and keeping the congregation’s peace as a precious, fragile asset that amplifies witness.

Along the way, Tony highlights robust appendices—encouraging your pastor, passing the torch, caring for widows and orphans, and a thoughtful treatment of deacons and deaconesses. If you’re ready to move from managing meetings to mobilizing servants, this conversation gives you language, frameworks, and next steps you can use this month.

If this helped you, follow the show, share it with a fellow leader, and leave a quick review so more churches can find it. Then tell us: which of the four essentials will you focus on first?

https://baptistcourier.com
https://bobslone.com/home/podcast-production/