SECTION II: OFFICERS - DEACON/DEACONESS
Qualifications:
The following is a list of the Biblical qualifications that a Deacon must possess. No Deacon will be a perfect man, but if he is clearly and persistently lacking in any of these qualities, he cannot serve in the church as a Deacon.
Deacons must be:
1. men of dignity (worthy of respect) 1 Timothy 3:8.
A Deacon is: serious, respected, a man people look up to, a good example a good testimony, a man of character.
2. not double-tongued (sincere) 1 Timothy 3:8.
Not saying one thing and meaning another. And not one who says one thing to one person and then something different to another person. He must say what he means and mean what he says. A man whose words can be trusted and whose motives will not be suspected. One who is honest and truthful.
3. not addicted to much wine (lit. "not a drinker") 1 Timothy 3:8.
This is a serious warning that a Deacon cannot be preoccupied with alcohol or known as a drinker. Abstaining from alcohol altogether in order to avoid offense or damaging influence is advisable. (cf. Rom. 14, 1 Cor. 8).
4. not fond of sordid gain (not a lover of money) 1 Timothy 3:8.
A Deacon cannot be motivated by financial gain. He will trust the Lord, be content with what is provided, and be thankful.
5. holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience 1 Timothy 3:9.
The mystery of the faith refers to Christian truth. "The faith" is that whole body of truth that we believe (Jude 3). The "mystery of the faith" is more specific and involves those aspects of the faith that relate to church truth (compare 1 Timothy 3:14-16). A Deacon must have the right concept of the local church. He must see the local assembly as God sees it-a living organism under the sovereign Headship and Lordship of Christ.
6. also first tested (proven) 1 Timothy 3:10.
Time must be allowed before the judgment is made that this man should be a Deacon. Give him time to show his faithfulness and prove himself worthy of the office.
7. beyond reproach (blameless) 1 Timothy 3:10.
His life is to be consistent and faithful. It means that there is nothing in his life that would justify a legitimate accusation of misconduct or call his character into question.
8. husband of only one wife (lit. "a one-woman man") 1 Timothy 3:12.
A Deacon may be either single or married. For a married Deacon, it means that he must be faithfully devoted to loving his wife (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7).
9. good managers of their children (have obedient, respectful, faithful children) 1 Timothy 3:12.
The children of a Deacon must not have a reputation for uncontrolled behavior or insubordination. Additionally, a Deacon must not be a harsh or brutal man, but must maintain order in his family through loving leadership, consistent Biblical training, and proper discipline.
10. good managers of their own households (a good manager and leader) 1 Timothy 3:12
A Deacon must have proven himself a good manager of his personal finances, and his household in general.
The church's position is that both Deaconesses and wives of Deacons should meet the following qualifications:
Deaconesses:
| Timothy 3:11 states: Women* must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deaconesses, if married, should be the wife of one man (as described in our Statement of Faith).
*The women (gynaikas in the Greek) were almost certainly not the women of the congregation generally. They were either Deaconesses (cf. Romans 16:1) or the wives of Deacons. The following terms describe these women's qualifications:
1. dignified (worthy of respect)
This is the same word used to describe Deacons in verse 8. A Deaconess is: serious, respected, a woman people look up to, a good example, a good testimony, a woman of character.
2. not malicious (diabolous, from diaballo "to slander"; from the verb comes the noun "devil," the chief slanderer)
A Deaconess should not falsely accuse or show vicious ill will toward others.
3. temperate (moderate, not given to excess)
In all areas of life, a Deaconess must be ever-tempered and well-balanced.
4. trustworthy in everything (lit. "faithful" in everything)
A Deaconess should be worthy of confidence and dependable in all that she does.
The following is a list of the Biblical qualifications that a Deacon must possess. No Deacon will be a perfect man, but if he is clearly and persistently lacking in any of these qualities, he cannot serve in the church as a Deacon.
Deacons must be:
1. men of dignity (worthy of respect) 1 Timothy 3:8.
A Deacon is: serious, respected, a man people look up to, a good example a good testimony, a man of character.
2. not double-tongued (sincere) 1 Timothy 3:8.
Not saying one thing and meaning another. And not one who says one thing to one person and then something different to another person. He must say what he means and mean what he says. A man whose words can be trusted and whose motives will not be suspected. One who is honest and truthful.
3. not addicted to much wine (lit. "not a drinker") 1 Timothy 3:8.
This is a serious warning that a Deacon cannot be preoccupied with alcohol or known as a drinker. Abstaining from alcohol altogether in order to avoid offense or damaging influence is advisable. (cf. Rom. 14, 1 Cor. 8).
4. not fond of sordid gain (not a lover of money) 1 Timothy 3:8.
A Deacon cannot be motivated by financial gain. He will trust the Lord, be content with what is provided, and be thankful.
5. holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience 1 Timothy 3:9.
The mystery of the faith refers to Christian truth. "The faith" is that whole body of truth that we believe (Jude 3). The "mystery of the faith" is more specific and involves those aspects of the faith that relate to church truth (compare 1 Timothy 3:14-16). A Deacon must have the right concept of the local church. He must see the local assembly as God sees it-a living organism under the sovereign Headship and Lordship of Christ.
6. also first tested (proven) 1 Timothy 3:10.
Time must be allowed before the judgment is made that this man should be a Deacon. Give him time to show his faithfulness and prove himself worthy of the office.
7. beyond reproach (blameless) 1 Timothy 3:10.
His life is to be consistent and faithful. It means that there is nothing in his life that would justify a legitimate accusation of misconduct or call his character into question.
8. husband of only one wife (lit. "a one-woman man") 1 Timothy 3:12.
A Deacon may be either single or married. For a married Deacon, it means that he must be faithfully devoted to loving his wife (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7).
9. good managers of their children (have obedient, respectful, faithful children) 1 Timothy 3:12.
The children of a Deacon must not have a reputation for uncontrolled behavior or insubordination. Additionally, a Deacon must not be a harsh or brutal man, but must maintain order in his family through loving leadership, consistent Biblical training, and proper discipline.
10. good managers of their own households (a good manager and leader) 1 Timothy 3:12
A Deacon must have proven himself a good manager of his personal finances, and his household in general.
The church's position is that both Deaconesses and wives of Deacons should meet the following qualifications:
Deaconesses:
| Timothy 3:11 states: Women* must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deaconesses, if married, should be the wife of one man (as described in our Statement of Faith).
*The women (gynaikas in the Greek) were almost certainly not the women of the congregation generally. They were either Deaconesses (cf. Romans 16:1) or the wives of Deacons. The following terms describe these women's qualifications:
1. dignified (worthy of respect)
This is the same word used to describe Deacons in verse 8. A Deaconess is: serious, respected, a woman people look up to, a good example, a good testimony, a woman of character.
2. not malicious (diabolous, from diaballo "to slander"; from the verb comes the noun "devil," the chief slanderer)
A Deaconess should not falsely accuse or show vicious ill will toward others.
3. temperate (moderate, not given to excess)
In all areas of life, a Deaconess must be ever-tempered and well-balanced.
4. trustworthy in everything (lit. "faithful" in everything)
A Deaconess should be worthy of confidence and dependable in all that she does.
