The term "deacon", from the Greek "diakonos", means servant.http://www.baptiststart.com/print/role_of_deacons.html The deacon is one of two Biblically commissioned offices within the Christian church. The other is the pastor. The Bible states that early in the first century seven men were first chosen to serve in this office.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+6&version=NIV The deaconate was created to serve the needs of the congregation and to free up church elders for their prayer and preaching duties. This office has survived from the first century, unbroken to the modern day. Today, the role of the deacon varies widely based on the denomination of the Christian church.http://deaconspage.blogspot.com/2005/04/role-of-deacon.html

In the Roman Catholic Church the role of the deacon is incorporated into the worship service much more than is typically the case in protestantism. The Catholic deacon can pray, preach, and lead worship and funeral services within the ceremonial capacity of the office. This office is often a precursor to the priesthood as deacons take the same vows.http://www.deacons.net/Articles/Who_is_a_Deacon.htm

The role of the protestant deacon tends to be much more functional in that it is used to promote the cause of Jesus through service. This office is typically filled by laymen in the church and primarily focuses on the assets of the church and the needs of the congregation.http://deaconspage.blogspot.com/2005/04/role-of-deacon.html Some duties performed by protestant deacons include: serving communion to sick and shut-in members, visiting congregants and other individuals in hospitals and prisons, monitoring and distributing benevolence funds, oversight and upkeep of church facilities and general oversight of auxiliary ministries. Some protestant churches allow women to serve in a similar role as deaconesses. Most protestant deacons are subservient to the pastor or elder board, however, on rare occasions the deacon board is the governing body of the church.

Since the office of deacon was instituted in the first century many famous people have served in that capacity. Some notable examples are listed below:

• Stephen was the first named deacon as well as the first Christian martyr.http://www.deacons.net/Deacons_before_us/stephen.html

• Philip was a preaching deacon and introduced Christianity to the continent of Africahttp://www.deacons.net/Deacons_before_us/Default.htm

• Francis of Assisi founded the Order of the Franciscans and is the patron saint of animals and the environment.http://www.dace.org/deacons/famous.shtml

• Thomas Jefferson was a young deacon before he dedicated his life to the service of his country.http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/lewisandclark/biddle/biographies_html/jefferson.html

• Jimmy Carter still serves on the Deacon Board of his local Georgia Church.http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2002/carter-bio.html