BIBLICAL DEACONS
1 Timothy 3:8–13
8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The word “deacon” literally means “servant.” The verb form of the word “deacon” literally means to serve or to wait on.
The New Testament church arranged for the office of deacons for the purposes of caring for and meeting the needs of the church family (see Acts 6) and for supporting the overall health and forward mission of the church.
The first deacons were selected because of congregational division as needs were not being met. Those selected were appointed to minister to the needs which ensured that the church family was unified and well cared for. As the deacons assumed these responsibilities, the pastors were able to focus on their roles of “the ministry of the word and prayer.” You could summarize it by saying deacons ministered to practical needs and provided care for the church.
Practically speaking, deacons were peace-making, engaged, spiritually mature servants of Jesus who were already supportive of the church and its leaders. They were not troublesome people, issue oriented, or driven by personal agenda. They were faith filled, optimistic encouragers who lived honorably and served effectively to allow God’s work to thrive.
Practically at FCC, deacons do the following to serve:
Care and help Shepherd people
Growth Group leader and/or a coordinator
Advise the elders
Help with Finances (Benevolence)
Serve in ministry
2025 DEACONS
Rob and Sarah Duggan
Rob and Sarah Duggan have been a part of FCC for nearly 20 years. Both of them serve in growth group leadership and with FCC Youth. Rob is the deacon of facility projects and Sarah is involved in multiple places.
Mike Dillbeck
After being a part of FCC as a child, Mike returned to FCC 5 years ago. His primary place of service as a deacon is in the parking lot as a welcome team coordinator.
Dan Acfalle
Dan has been a part of FCC for over 30 years. His primary place of service as a deacon is leading the ushers as a coordinator on the Welcome Team.
Tricia Isayi
Tricia has been a part of FCC for nearly 15 years. Her primary place of service as a deacon is to be a deacon of prayer.
Keith Parker
Keith has been a part of FCC for 4 years and has served in our growth groups. His primary place of service will be the deacon of biblical counseling. Keith is a professional, state-certified family counselor and will be helping FCC partners that need counseling.
ELDERS BIBLICALLY
ELDERS BIBLICALLY
"... The overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's family?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."
1 Timothy 3:2-7
The words elder (sometimes translated “presbyter”), pastor (which may be translated “shepherd”), and overseer (sometimes translated “bishop”) are used interchangeably in the New Testament. Even though these terms often mean different things among various churches today, the New Testament seems to point to one office, which was occupied by different godly men within each church to provide spiritual leadership to the church. They are responsible to study the word, teach, oversee the spiritual state of the church, and pray for the body.
Currently, our elders at FCC are Pastor Nate and Dan Dowell. Per our by laws, the lead pastor is not affirmed by the congregation, but Dan Dowell is.
LAY ELDER IN 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT DAN
I was raised by Christian parents that had strong Christian values. Reflecting on my life it is apparent that the Lord has been very good to me. I came to faith in Jesus Christ at four years of age and was raised in a Baptist church and attended Baptist Christian schools from K-12th grades. Mechanic. Currently, I work full time as a Programs Manager; Supervisor for the Department of Defense in the Aerospace Grounds Equipment Flight Travis Air Force Base.
I have been a partner with First Christian Church since June 2009 and have served in the youth and finance ministries, it has been my honor to serve as deacon 2015-2020, and an elder since 2021. I also serve as a Growth Group leader, Welcome Team Coordinator, and oversee the FCC Finances.
I met my beautiful wife Nancy in a Growth Group class at this church in 2012 and married in 2013. We are blessed with two beautiful daughters, their husbands, and five granddaughters, and two horses.
I think serving others is important because it gives me a sense of purpose in my life. I love and serve others out of the experience of being loved and served by Jesus first.
It is from that place, that I can love and serve others with greater freedom, joy, and fulfillment. I truly want people to know and experience just how much God loves them and that he has put them here on purpose and for a specific purpose. I want to use the gifts and talents that God has given me to serve others to further the gospel to know Jesus and make Him known in greater ways as we love and serve together.
“We are better than Me”.