The Baptist Deacon: From a Pastor with a Special Heart for Deacons

by Robert E.L. Naylor

This book comes straight from the heart of a pastor who has had deacons for breakfast, dinner, and supper for as long as he can remember. The son of a Baptist minister, Dr. Naylor was influenced from childhood by men in this noble office of divine origin. His own twenty-five years in the Baptist ministry and his successful work with deacons in many churches, large and small, well qualify him to write this long needed book.

Genres: Nonfiction

138 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly a dated book with a rather narrow audience, this book is very helpful for pastors, deacons, and church members for understanding the office of deacon in the local Baptist church setting. The book deals with qualifications, responsibilities, tenure, and many other issues that serious churches will consider with the office of deacon. Sprinkled with anecdotes of the author's many years of ministry as the pastor of various Baptist churches, the book is both informative and warm. It is a quick read and reminiscent of the era in which it was written while also having a perennial attraction to those who want the office to be what was intended rather that what it sometimes becomes.

[Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written. I may not agree the author on every thing he wrote. This book is well written, thorough, biblically based, and a must read if you have questions or thoughts about deacons. The author definitely has more of a “large church mindset” but the truths that he share are still true.

As others have stated, it’s a little dated, but for a 150 page book on deacons there’s not much more you could ask for.

[Rev. Kareem · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Baptist preacher looking to train my first set of deacons, this book was a good starting point.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was written in the 1950s, so it is a little dated in parts, but all in all it is great information for new and experienced deacons. It would also be a good help to someone when considering a new deacon.