Ecclesiastical Offices in the Early Christian Church: Elders and Deacons as Role Models of Servanthood

Birinyi, Márk (2025) Ecclesiastical Offices in the Early Christian Church: Elders and Deacons as Role Models of Servanthood. In: Ethical Leadership in Complex Times. Károli könyvek. Tanulmánykötet . Éditions L'Harmattan; L'Harmattan Kiadó; Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem, Paris, Budapest, pp. 25-34. ISBN 9782336540870; 9789636464202

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Abstract

This paper explores the historical development and theological significance of the ecclesiastical offices of elder and deacon in the early Christian church. Drawing on biblical texts such as 1 Peter 5:1–2, Acts 20:28, and Acts 6:1–6, and incorporating insights from Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and ecumenical scholarship, the study demonstrates how these offices functioned as models of servant leadership. It places emphasis on the dual responsibilities of spiritual oversight and practical service—with elders providing pastoral care and deacons addressing material needs. Its analysis shows that true leadership is measured not by the accumulation of power but by humility, mutual accountability, and selfless service, offering enduring lessons for contemporary ministry.

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