When the Bible describes church leadership, another dimension is deacons. The term comes from the Greek word diakonia, which means "to serve." While the elders serve by leading, the deacons lead by serving. Unlike some Southern Baptist churches, the deacons are not a decision-making body. Rather, they function as leading servants in the many areas of the church. Since Paul instructed in First Timothy 3 that deacons were to "first be tested," at Woodland Park we do not appoint someone to take on a new task. Instead, we look for those who have already proven themselves as consistent and faithful leaders in an area of ministry, and we publicly affirm their labor with the office of deacon. Together, the deacons are an important link in the leadership community. They give leadership to the church in many practical ways, and also extend the reach of the elders in shepherding the flock.