Why does the church need deacons?

Why does the church need deacons? To answer this question we consider carefully a division of labour established in Acts 6:1–7. The church needs deacons so that the first things might be pursued without distraction—prayer and the ministry of the Word, carried out by servants of the pulpit. The church also needs deacons so that the next things might be maintained without compromise—works of mercy and necessity under the care of servants of the table. In this way, all the work of the kingdom can be carried out wisely and well.