A Hanwell Deacon is a Harmful Deacon

by Christopher Hendrix

“Believing utterly in one’s self is a hysterical and superstitious belief. The man with it has ‘Hanwell’ written on his face.” G.K. Chesterton uttered these words to a publisher friend in a conversation. He records in his book Orthodoxy that one day, they engaged in a discussion on someone who was struggling. Chesterton’s publisher friend found encouragement in that this man would persevere by believing in himself. As Chesterton heard, he saw a sign with ‘Hanwell’ written on it. He then responded to his friend, “Shall I tell you where the men who believe most in themselves? For I can tell you, I know of men who believe in themselves more colossally than Napoleon or Caesar. I can guide you to the thrones of the Supermen. The men who really believe in themselves are all in lunatic asylums.” The lunatic asylum that sparked this thought was Hanwell. Chesterton’s point? “Complete self-confidence isn’t just a sin, but a weakness.” In light of the Deacon role, this point proves vital. 

Watch Pastor Chris Hendrix’s sermon on 1 Timothy 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:13 records a beautiful statement. “Those who serve well…” This service doesn’t stem from the Deacon believing in himself. It doesn’t stem from his own strength. His service derives from the living God. The extraordinary, majestic, living Triune God has created a household for his name (1 Tim. 3:15). This household is the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). So what is truth? Truth is the person of Jesus Christ. As Paul sums up in 1 Timothy 3:16, “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” The service of a deacon comes from Christ, focuses on Christ, and lifts up the name of Christ.

A deacon doesn’t even become a deacon in his own power. The heart transformation in his life comes from the Spirit’s work. In our modern church world, ‘leadership pipelines’ are formed to try and build pastors and deacons to feed them into ministry. Leadership skills, abilities, personalities, and ambitions are all evaluated. These examinations force people to consider themselves to judge whether they can serve in God’s household. They are directed to believe in themselves to become the leaders needed for such a time as this in the church. The consideration of the Spirit’s work is ignored, and man’s metrics are established. However, this leads to a “Hanwell” deacon. And these deacons, in many cases, unintentionally bring death to the living God’s church. 

When a church recognizes the Scriptures as supreme, this doesn’t merely come out in words but actions. When this type of church installs deacons, it acknowledges the identity Christ has given to it. Thus, the importance of placing biblically qualified men over ‘highly’ qualified men ranks higher. The results aren’t Hanwell deacons, but holy deacons. These sacred men exercise their office out of their moral character that’s been changed by the Spirit, not in their leadership skills and abilities. Not in belief in themselves. That has Hanwell written all over it.