Deacon Questionnaire
PURPOSE OF DEACONS
The Deacons function as servants of the church in accordance with the meaning of the word “deacon” and the practice of the New Testament.
DEACON QUALIFICATIONS (Church Constitution Section 4.2)
1 Timothy 3 provides a guide for the character qualities that should be present in deacons: 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
EXPECTATIONS OF DEACONS
1. Serve the body: Deacons assist the church staff in ministering to the body of believers and are ready to serve ministry need as they arise.
2. Protect the unity of the body: Deacons are to be zealous to guard the unity of the Spirit within the church in the bonds of peace. Seek to resolve any conflict within the church directly and immediately in a manner that exhibits Christian love, humility, and patience. Address any gossip or critical speech that arises with loving confrontation that leads to seeking reconciliation in a manner that honors Christ, promotes unity and demonstrates genuine love for others. Deacons should support the pastors, ministries, and overall direction of the church.
3. Care for the body: Deacons organize themselves to establish and maintain relationships with the membership of the church, especially widows and orphans. They are ready to step in to serve and minister to those who are experiencing times of need.
4. Pray for the body: Deacons devote themselves to the ministry of prayer, interceding for the membership and their needs. They will also seek to strengthen the ministry of prayer in the church.
5. Assist in the administration of the ordinances: Help carry out the necessary functions for Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to take place.
PRACTICAL WAYS THAT DEACONS SERVE
The deacon team is a team of servants who have been called by God to serve the people of the church. First and foremost on the mind of every deacon is the thought of how they can help in any of the church’s gatherings and ministry areas. This includes:
1. Model membership to the church body: This includes regular attendance to the Worship Service and other church gatherings as much as possible, being actively engaged in a group or class, and engaging in the missional initiatives of the church. Deacons should be an example to others as they pray, respond, and sing in corporate gatherings. They should also lead the way in engaging visitors and members at church gatherings by welcoming them and demonstrating Christian hospitality.
2. Protect unity in the body: Be the first to correct an untruth about our church or to stamp out a rumor. Give right and truthful information to the people you have relationships with about the direction and practices of the church. Bring people together acting as a minister of reconciliation. Always take the initiative to deal with areas of potential conflict.
3. Weekly prayer with the Pastor: Deacons pray for the church with the Pastor on Sunday mornings at 8:30am on a rotating basis. See next page for your assigned schedule.
4. Having a place of service within the church: Some deacons already have a place they are serving. They can continue that work as they serve as a deacon. In fact, this area of service is the environment in which they will walk out many of their duties as a deacon. Some deacons will find places specifically within the deacon ministry to serve the church such as the benevolence ministry and other ministries still to be established.
5. Assist in Membership Class & First Step Class: Deacons are needed to serve as hosts in these classes helping those who are new to our church be assimilated into the life of the body.
6. Meeting needs that arise: Deacons may be asked to visit a member of the church who is homebound or in the hospital, clean up after a church event, help meet a need in our community, or anything else that might come up. Deacons will be the first place the pastors turn for help.
7. Communion: Be prepared to come early and stay late on days that communion is served. Be the hands and feet to carry out the Lord’s Supper from the gathering of supplies to the serving of people.
8. Have the mindset of a servant: Show up at every church event proactively looking for ways in which you can serve people. Any space you walk into, look for a way to work. At every meeting look for a pastor and ask if there is any way in which you can help them. In the areas in which you are already serving, be prepared for the pastor over that area to ask you to serve in a greater capacity at different times.
9. Benevolence: Deacons help us carry out ministry to those in need by meeting with those who have filled out an application, praying and having gospel conversations with them, and working with church staff to meet those practical needs.
10. Be a “face” of Watkinsville FBC to guests and members: From arriving in the parking lot to leaving the parking lot be looking for visitors, engage them in conversation and ask how you can help them. Help tell members of “wins”, opportunities. and needs within the church.
DEACON TERMS
The number of Deacons will be determined by the Deacon body in keeping with the needs of the church, but shall be at least 12 men. Deacons should serve a three-year term and then will rotate off for a minimum of 12 months. Deacon terms begin in January. Each year new Deacon elections will be held to replace those Deacons who have rotated off the body or who, for other reasons, were unable to complete their term. (Church Constitution Section 4.1)
Deacons must have been members of WFBC for at least two years. They must be at least 25 years old. They must have been Christians for at least three years.
The following officers are to be elected by the Deacons to serve for a term of one year:
· Chairman
· Vice-Chairman
· Secretary
No officer may succeed himself more than once. The Chairman or Vice-Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Deacon body. The deacon body shall meet regularly according to a time and location No first-year deacon can serve as an officer unless he has previously served as a deacon at WFBC.
(Church Constitution Section 4.5)