Deacons

When Considering The Qualifications for Deacon. . .

Consider First What The Word of God Says

But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. (Ac. 6:3)

Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 3: 8-13)

What Should Be The Major Activities of

Those Desiring the Role of Deacon?

At GSC our deacons are to be the pace setters (or models) for the entire church in terms of a sympathy, service, mercy and giving.  They should be well known in the church because of their vigilant ministry to the flock.

1. They should be desirous of and committed to a ministry of serving others.

2.  They should be able to work toward the church's best interests.  

3.  They should be quiet leaders by being actively involved in giving and tithing as a means of showing their financial commitment to the work. 

4.  They should be men of humility, able to serve others without searching for accolades.

What Are Some of the

Duties of Our Deacons?

A.   Sympathy and Service

                As a deacon or "table server" (because that is what the word literally means) the deacon is to model Jesus Christ's caring qualities to the flock.  The real care transmitted through sympathy and service becomes an excellent picture of the communion of the saints, especially when aid arrives in time of need.

                •Our Deacons are often the eyes, ears and hands of the church in the interactive ministries which deal with the personal and real needs of the saints.  

                •Our Deacons often supplement and even supersede the caring ministry that one pastor could undertake.  Having an active core of deacons at West Boca energizes our church body with the love of Jesus Christ like few other ministries can.

B.  Mercy and Giving

                •Our Deacons are to minister to those who are hurting or vulnerable and who need support (Ac. 20:35), to the sick, the friendless, and those in need.  

                •Our Deacons are to encourage and promote liberal giving among the church body, and to distribute gifts as they become available and needs are identified. 

                •Our Deacons shall care for the real and personal property of the congregation, keeping the church building in proper repair

May a Woman Be a Deacon?

Within our denomination, this decision is left up to the individual churches.  By unanimous vote in 2003 after much prayer and Scripture study the Session of GSC published a paper and recommended that women be considered eligible for the position.

What Are the Biblical 

Qualifications for a Deacon?

1.  Good Reputation - Respected by believers and non-believers.  The candidate should be one who is revered for his/her stand regarding upholding Godly principles and conduct.

2.  Full of the Spirit - His/her life manifests the obvious fruit of the Spirit (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - Gal. 5:22,23)

3.  Full of Wisdom - Mature; able to give sound counsel in secular and spiritual matters.  Biblical wisdom has so permeated his/her life that Godly principles are known to regularly guide this candidate.

4.  A Man of Dignity - Sober-minded; not thought of as frivolous or shallow.  (Please remember that "sober" is not "somber.")  This candidate should be one who bears evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.  Qualities such as joy, love and peace should pervade his life.

5.  Not Double-Tongued - Is truthful; not a back-biter.  Some people can be too coy in their attempts to avoid confrontation.  This person is known as being honest and tactful, but when he/she speaks, there should be no question as to the veracity of those statements.

6.  Not Addicted to Wine - Nor to anything else.  Is not participating in intoxicants of any kind on any regular basis.

7.  Not Fond of Sordid Gain or One Who is Free from the Love of Money - Not someone who would violate or stretch God's standards in order to "make a buck."  The deacon-candidate must be one who is not characterized as being driven by a temporal value system.  Have you known he/she to be unselfish and generous?

8.  Holds to the Mystery of Faith With a Clear Conscience or Holding Fast the Word - One who is committed to the authoritative nature of God's Word.  Perhaps you have known of "opportunities" that he/she has forsaken because the Word spoke otherwise.  This would be indicative of just such a person.  This qualification also speaks of one's conscience.  The candidate is guided by Biblical principles and values, and is able to choose God's way time after time.

9.  Has Been Tested in the Above Areas - you do not have to guess as to the candidate's qualifications in the above areas-you have already seen them because they are obvious.

10.  Beyond Reproach - means that there is no ground for continual, justifiable accusation.  Not that the person has been sinless, but that he/she is now above reproach, and gives every prospect of living a Godly life well into the future.

11.  Husband of One Wife - A devoted spouse both physically and mentally; the deacon-candidate should be someone who is "sold-out" to his spouse.  We want an individual who is a good model of love toward his/her spouse.  This should be someone whose marriage is admirable.  It is this church's position that it is possible for the deacon-candidate to have had a divorce in the past and still evidence this quality. 

12.  Good Managers of His/Her Children - This is indicative of a parent who takes an active role in transmitting Godly and Biblical principles to the next generation.  The family gives evidence of being one where discipline and respect are stressed and modeled.  The parent must spend time with the children for this to occur.

13.  Manages Own Household Well - (Please note:  Perhaps this, more than any other qualification should be the major disqualifier of individuals in our day and age!)  Does the deacon-candidate have the respect and Godly submission of his/her family?  Have you known him/her to be a true Godly leader in the own home?

The Deacon's Wife as Described in I Tim. 3:11. . .

A) Dignified - Sober-minded; not frivolous or shallow.  Please note again that "sober" does not mean "somber."  As with the deacon-candidate, his wife also should be one whose life bears the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.  Qualities such as joy, love and peace should pervade her life as well.

B) Not a Malicious Gossip - Is not one to bear tales or commit slander.  Those in leadership in any church are generally bearers of private or sensitive information.  This wife should be one therefore who has shown that she will not fan the flames of hearsay.  Hopefully, she is one who has already taken a stand in actively quelling rumors as they have cropped up in the church body. 

C) Temperate - Cool and calm in spirit.  Not one who is always getting energized and taking sides.  Not one to always "fly off the handle."  One who is able to reflect an interest and yet capable of prudent detachment.

D) Faithful in All Things - Conscientious as a doer, and not just a hearer of the Word.  The deacon's wife is thorough, regarded as a steadying influence; someone who can be counted upon to come through; not "flaky