Views on the role of deacons vary wildly among evangelical Christians: a board of directors at one end, the building maintenance crew at the other, and very little exegesis in between.

Alexander Strauch states his purpose plainly - to encourage deacons and fellow church leaders to think more critically about what the New Testament says - and then works through the relevant texts. The result recovers the office as Paul envisioned it: servants who assist the elders in the care of the congregation.