For several years, it’s intrigued me that the Greek word diakonos, from which we get “deacon,” is also the word often translated “minister” or “servant.” If paid ministers would see themselves more as deacons/servants (who happen to be paid for their service of preparing lessons, teaching, administering, etc.), perhaps we would have fewer hierarchy battles and displays of power in churches.
I once floated the above idea to a church minister, and he seemed to blister at the suggestion that staff ministers were “mere” deacons. (There’s really no denigration of the role there!) He doesn’t speak to me anymore, and I’ve never been sure why.
