THE ORDINATION OF DEACONS

Acts 6:2-4; Philippians 1:1

Biblical Role of Deacons

Deacons serve under the direction and oversight of the                .

No specific, on-going roles are mentioned in Scripture, probably because service and care needs                 , and so the role of the deacons should be flexible ready and willing to serve where needed in the body.

If there is any one role that would characterize the ministry of a deacon it would be that of a
"                                              ."

In  addition,  oversight  of the care and maintenance of the church

                           &           would come under areas of responsibility for the deacons as well as serving at the celebration of the Lords Supper.

Biblical Qualifications for Deacons (1 Tim 3:8-13)

·         MEN WORTHY OF                        : Deacons must be mature, of sound mind and character, yielded to the Holy Spirit, men of integrity.

·         NOT                                  : Deacons must demonstrate verbal consistency.  They must not be prone to saying one thing to one person and something else to another.

·         NOT                        TO WINE: Deacons must be free from addictions, and must be willing to limit their liberty for the sake of others.

·         NOT FOND OF                  GAIN: Deacons must be purely motivated in their service with the sole purpose and desire of glorifying God and not self. They serve out of love for the Lord and others expecting nothing in return.

·         HOLDING TO THE DEEP                      OF THE FAITH WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE: Deacons must have a sound knowledge of Biblical truths and a lifestyle in accord with them.  They must not be easily swayed by others or by personal opinion or tradition but by the Word of God alone.

·         FIRST                    : Deacons must have proven over time that they are faithful and that their knowledge of God’s Word and their walk are credible.

·         BEYOND                      : Deacons must display a lifestyle free from ongoing patterns of Scriptural disobedience. There must be no grounds of accusing him of improper Christian behavior.

·         THEIR                 MUST BE WORHTY OF RESPECT AND NOT BE MALICIOUS GOSSIPS, BUT TEMPERATE & TRUSTWORTHY IN EVERYTHING: Deacons, if married, must have wives who are also mature, and of sound mind and character and are yielded to the control of the Spirit and not their emotions. They have control of their tongue and can be trusted to hold confidences.

·         HUSBANDS OF                 WIFE:  Deacons, if married, must be a "one woman man" - devoted and faithful to his wife and to her alone.

·         MANAGE HIS                    WELL: Deacons must be the spiritual heads of their homes and must have well-ordered households, a healthy family life, and well-behaved children.

Selection Deacons

Scripture gives evidence of the first deacons being appointed or set apart by the               of the church to insure selection based on spiritual rather than superficial qualifications. Acts 6:2-4

Unless there are legitimate concerns of the church membership and after lengthy examination of              &                     the candidates for deacon are brought forward for ordination by the elders.