1 Timothy 3

"9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. "

This is interesting, I've never noticed this before. Deacons should first be tested, but it did not say overseers (elders in church) should be tested also. I have no answer for that except perhaps because elders are usually preachers first, perhaps because they have already been tested through their working for God full-time. However, deacons are fresh from the congregation, and never went through the same steps as the elders. There is a good reason for Paul to bring this up, and that before people are ordained as deacons, they be found blameless. Because it is rare to de-ordain anyone. If it does happen, usually it's bad enough that they just get excommunicated. A deacon serves a great function in leading the church in the right direction, especially in the absence of a preacher. If the deacon cannot exhibit that function in all perspectives, then it may be more harm than good to have a deacon.

On top of that, a deacon must hold the mystery of faith with pure conscience. Similarly, this was not recorded in the portion for overseers, perhaps for the same reason. That through their life as a preacher, they have come to do that already. For a deacon, fresh from the congregation, they must first possess a good understanding of the myestery of faith and not only that, keep it. Without that, they cannot lead the sheep in the right direction. Even if they know the mystery of faith, but do not keep it, they will still be disqualified to hold the position according to this verse. Knowledge does not equal qualification. And that holds true for everything spiritually related. What works in this world will not necessarily work in church, because the criteria are different. Jesus has led by example, and I believe Paul is passing on that best method for leadership down to us. Therefore, this matter is not to be taken lightly, because it will affect the whole body.