What the NAPARC Church Orders Say the Deacon Is
The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) is a fellowship of thirteen confessional Presbyterian and Reformed denominations. Each one governs the office of deacon in its constitution or church order.
Below is the statement each denomination’s governing document makes about the scope of the deacon’s office and work, quoted exactly, with a link to the source. The entries are grouped by tradition.
Presbyterian churches
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP)
Form of Government, sections 5.1 and 5.5 (source)
The office of deacon as set forth in the Scriptures is ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office of deacon is one of sympathy and service after the example of Christ.
It shall be responsible for the congregation’s ministry to those in material need or distress and all such things as can be covered by the term “mercy ministry.” The needs of those who are within the congregation shall be given first priority, and then those needs outside the congregation.
Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC)
Form of Government, Chapter 6, Article 3 (Duties) (source)
It is the duty of deacons to minister, in cooperation with ministers and elders, to those who are in need: to the sick, to those in prison, to widows and orphans, and to those in distress, all under the supervision and authority of the session. It is also the duty of deacons to collect and to distribute relief funds and to manage the church finances (Acts 6:1-3).
Korean Presbyterian Church in America, Kosin (KPCA)
Book of Church Order, Chapter 7, Article 74 (Duties of Deacons), 2024 English edition (source)
Under the guidance of the session, deacons are responsible for the church’s service, administration, finance, and benevolence.
Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Form of Government, Chapter XI, Section 1 (source)
The Scriptures designate the office of deacon as distinct and perpetual in the church. Deacons are called to show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church. To this end they exercise, in the fellowship of the church, a recognized stewardship of care and of gifts for those in need or distress. This service is distinct from that of rule in the church.
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
Book of Church Order, 9-1 and 9-2 (source)
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need.
It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation. In matters of special importance affecting the property of the church, they cannot take final action without the approval of the Session and consent of the congregation.
In the discharge of their duties the deacons are under the supervision and authority of the Session. In a church in which it is impossible for any reason to secure deacons, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the ruling elders.
Presbyterian Reformed Church (PresRC)
Form of Church Government, Article 14 (Deacons), adopted 1996 (source)
The Scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers in the church. To whose office it belongs not to preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special care for the necessities of the poor, by collecting for, and distributing to them, with direction of the eldership, that none amongst the people of God be constrained to be beggars. A session may entrust the deacons with the reception and distribution of the whole church property, the deacons always acting in accordance with the judgment and appointment of the eldership, that the property be not converted to private men’s use nor wrongly distributed.
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)
The Constitution, Directory for Church Government, Chapter 3, Section III (source)
The Diaconate is a spiritual office responsible for the ministry of mercy and stewardship of the congregation. It is neither a ruling nor a teaching office. Its exercise, like the whole life of the church, is under the oversight of the session and its function is administrative.
Continental Reformed churches
Canadian Reformed Churches (CanRC)
Church Order, Article 23 (The Office of Deacon), Synod 2025 (source)
The specific duties of the office of deacon are to see to the good progress of the service of charity in the congregation; to acquaint themselves with existing needs and difficulties and exhort the members of Christ’s body to show mercy; and further, to gather and manage the offerings and distribute them in Christ’s name according to need. They shall encourage and comfort with the Word of God those who receive the gifts of Christ’s love, and promote with word and deed the unity and fellowship in the Holy Spirit which the congregation enjoys at the table of the Lord.
Reformed Church of Quebec (ERQ)
Ordre et discipline ecclésiastiques, section 2.4.1 (La fonction de diacre) (source)
The ERQ is a French-language denomination, and its church order is published in French only. The governing statement reads:
La fonction principale des diacres est de servir l’Église et le monde au nom du Seigneur selon l’Ecriture. A cet effet, le conseil des diacres doit exercer les ministères de l’aide aux membres dans le besoin, de la distribution des dons en argent ou en nature, et de la formation des membres en ce qui concerne les biens matériels.
In English:
The principal function of the deacons is to serve the church and the world in the name of the Lord according to Scripture. To that end the council of deacons exercises the ministries of aid to members in need, the distribution of gifts in money or in kind, and the instruction of members regarding material possessions.
Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA)
Church Order, Article 25 (Duties of Deacons), 2025 edition (source)
The office peculiar to the deacons is diligently to collect moneys and other contributions of charity, and after mutual counsel, faithfully and diligently to distribute the same to the poor as their needs may require it; to visit and comfort the distressed and to exercise care that the alms are not misused; of which they shall render an account to the Consistory, and also (if anyone desires to be present) to the congregation, at such time as the Consistory may see fit.
Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC)
Church Order, Article 25 (The Office of Deacon) (source)
The office peculiar to the Deacons is diligently to collect alms and other contributions of charity, and after mutual counsel, faithfully and diligently to distribute the same to the poor as their needs may require it; to visit and comfort the distressed and to exercise care that the alms are not misused; of which they shall render an account in Consistory, and also (if anyone desires to be present) to the Congregation, at such a time as the Consistory may see fit.
Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS)
The Constitution, Article 45, 2017 edition (source)
A deacon is a member of the Church chosen by the congregation and ordained to office by prayer and the laying on of hands to aid in securing the funds necessary for the support of the Church in its various activities, and to foster the principles of stewardship, thereby cultivating the spirit of liberality and cheerful giving. He is to attend to the temporal affairs of the congregation, except such as are specified in Article 12 of this Constitution, and to look after the poor and needy in properly dispensing the charity of the Church.
United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)
Church Order, Article 15 (The Duties of Deacons), Tenth Edition, 2024 (source)
The duties belonging to the office of deacon consist of continuing in prayer and supervising the works of Christian mercy among the congregation; acquainting themselves with congregational needs; exhorting members of the congregation to show mercy; gathering and managing the offerings of God’s people in Christ’s name, and distributing these offerings according to need; and encouraging and comforting with the Word of God those who receive the gifts of Christ’s mercy. Needs of those outside the congregation, especially of other believers, should also be considered as resources permit.