What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (Full Version)

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Fritzpw_Admin -> What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 9:20:26 AM)

What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon?

(Please do not use this thread to debate the topic of women in church leadership.)

What are the requirements according to the Bible?

How do your requirements differ from those set forth in the Bible?



DougHorton -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 10:19:41 AM)

According to the PCA Book of Church Order:
quote:

Every church shall elect persons to the offices of ruling elder and
deacon in the following manner: At such times as determined by the Session,
communicant members of the congregation may submit names to the Session,
keeping in mind that each prospective officer should be an active male member
who meets the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.


From that description, it is hard to say that it differs at all from those set forth in the Bible. However in addition to this, they are trained in how the church operates so that they can function within the denomination. Then they are examined as follows:
quote:

Each nominee shall then be examined in:
a. his Christian experience, especially his personal character and family
management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7
and Titus 1:6-9),
b. his knowledge of Bible content,
c. his knowledge of the system of doctrine, government, discipline
contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America
(BCO Preface III, The Constitution Defined),
d. the duties of the office to which he has been nominated, and
e. his willingness to give assent to the questions required for ordination.
(BCO 24-6)


THE BOOK OF CHURCH ORDER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA: CHAPTER 24 Election, Ordination and Installation of Ruling Elders and Deacons

You can find a lot more information at PCA Historical Center



Lapidoth -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 11:57:00 AM)

quote:

How do your requirements differ from those set forth in the Bible?


Is anyone going to truthfully answer this one? LOL.

We're still small enough that to be a deacon, one just has to "be one."
Deacon = servant.

Now if deacon = board member; that's a different topic. lol.



rcjames -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 2:07:09 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fritzpw_Admin
What are the requirements according to the Bible?


(1Ti 3:8) Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

(1Ti 3:9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

(1Ti 3:10) And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

(1Ti 3:11) Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

(1Ti 3:12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

(1Ti 3:13) For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

quote:

How do your requirements differ from those set forth in the Bible?


We require in addition to the above that the candidate to have read the whole bilbe to hold to the doctrine of the denomination, to not be addicted to tobacco or drugs, and to pass a rather vigorous vetting and background checking process.

Thanks
RC



Lapidoth -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 2:26:10 PM)

quote:

background checking process.


I always hated those "popularity votes" in some of the churches.



mariadreamer -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/5/2008 3:14:46 PM)

My husband was just directed by the Church to apply for the deaconate program at the seminary so all is fresh in my memory. The application is very long and asks regarding the requirements mentioned by rcjames from scripture (thanks RC[;)]). Several witnesses have to give reference by describing the applicant's faith in Christ, how he handles his household, serves, his character, wife, etc.
There are other requirements like proof of baptism and chrismation, no drug addictions or criminal history. In our diocese, the candidates go to seminary to study Holy Scripture and apostolic tradition for 4 years, if and when they are ordained is at the discretion of the bishop.



rcjames -> RE: What is your church's requirements for becoming a deacon? (9/7/2008 8:54:35 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lapidoth

quote:

background checking process.


I always hated those "popularity votes" in some of the churches.


We do not have open elections for deacons, we put up one who meets the qualifications and ask the Church to affirm them (or not). Never had one not affirmed in 45 years (because of the intense vetting).

On deacons I believe there is Scripture for the congregations input;

(Act 6:3) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

I don't seem to find where Elders (Bishops) are picked by the congregation in the New Testament. They seem to be vetted and appointed.

Thanks
RC



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