Deacon Nominations

Below you will find a short biblical presentation of the office of deacon, as well as the formal process at CBC for installing qualified men into the office of deacon.

As you recommend candidates, meditate on 1 Timothy 3 that sets forth qualifications for deacons. Please submit your recommendations for new deacons using the form linked below, and contact the elders with any questions throughout the process.

Deacons are not another governing body of the church, but with humility, willingly serve Christ's church under the authority of the elders. Each deacon will be assigned a specific task that they are responsible for. Assigning deacons to specific tasks is encouraging to a deacon: because when they receive clear instruction from the elders on how they can best free them up and serve the members, they know what to do and can act immediately in their areas.

And so when you think of someone you would like to nominate as a deacon candidate, consider what areas that they have interest and expertise in.

THE OFFICES OF ELDER AND DEACON

Scripture teaches that God has appointed two offices for the local church: elder and deacon (cf. Phil 1:1). Elders are a plurality of qualified men who oversee a local church and shepherd its members by preaching, praying, equipping, and leading. Deacons are individuals who assist the elders by maintaining the unity of the church and meeting tangible needs. The congregation has the authority to appoint and dismiss elders and deacons.

Why is it important that we focus on these qualifications? Because they are the qualifications that the Lord has put in His Word so that we can identify the men He has called. 

But we need to keep in mind it matters less about how gifted a person is, or how successful they have been in their business, or how long they have been at this church, and more importantly that they meet these specific character qualifications.

  • DIGNIFIED (1 Timothy 3:8)

    They must be worthy of respect. Not perfect, but humble, repentant, and examples to the flock.

    NOT HYPOCRITICAL (1 Timothy 3:8)

    A deacon must not be double tongued. Being double tongued means to say one thing to someone and then say another thing to someone else. Deacons shouldn’t be hypocritical. They must say what they mean and mean what they say.

    NOT ADDICTED TO ANY SUBSTANCE (Timothy 3:8)

    Anyone is disqualified in serving as a deacon if they have a lifestyle of being drunk. That type of person lacks self control. Qualified deacons will not abuse substances that would hinder their work or their witness.

    NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY (1 Timothy 3:8)

    A deacon cannot have a heart that is divided between God and money. They cannot love money, because the nature of diaconal work will sometimes put deacons in contact with the church’s money.

    HOLD THE FAITH WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE (1 Timothy 3:9)

    The reference to “the mystery of the faith” is another way that Paul spoke about the gospel. This qualification refers to the doctrinal beliefs of a deacon.

    Because of the practical focus of a deacon’s work, we could assume that they don’t need to know much doctrine. But that’s not what we see here. It’s true that the primary responsibility for teaching and leading falls on the church’s elders, but deacons aren’t exempt from knowing their Bibles. In fact, they will often be in situations where they will have the opportunity to speak Biblical truth.

    A deacon must be able to explain the main points of the gospel. How else will they be able to point others to Christ as they serve?

    Paul also says that they must hold to these truths “with a clear conscience.” This means that a deacons’ life and conscience must conform to the faith he professes. Anyone embarrassed by Biblical truths that conflict with the current cultural beliefs is not qualified to serve as a deacon.

    This is an important qualification. Deacons will find themselves in situations where they must apply the truths of the faith to their ministries and the lives of the people they serve. They must hold to the mystery of the faith.

    TESTED AND PROVEN BLAMELESS (1 Timothy 3:10)

    There should be a season of testing. Putting someone in a church office quickly is unwise and unbiblical.

    HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE (1 Timothy 3:12)

    Scripture describes an elder as a “one-woman man,” indicating faithfulness to his wife. This doesn’t mean that all unmarried men or previously divorced men are necessarily disqualified from the office. Therefore, what is of greatest interest is not the absence of divorce in a man’s past but that his current marital status can be judged “blameless.”

    Then they must be able to manage their children and own households well.

    Notice when referring to deacons, Paul omits the section where he compares managing one's household to taking care of the church. Like he does in 1 Timothy 3:5 with the qualifications for elders. The reason for this omission is that deacons are not given a leading position in the church like elders are.

Nomination Process

Nominations for deacons are accepted throughout the year and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Here is the process for nomination:

  • Anyone active member of Calvary Baptist Church can nominate someone for the office of deacon.

  • Nominated individuals will be contacted by the elders to confirm that they have a desire to serve as a deacon 

  • All nominees desiring to continue in potentially serving as deacons will go through a series of interviews with the existing elders centered on topics related to theology, character, and fitness for the office. 

  • Approved candidates will be recommended by the elders in a member’s meeting and the church will be encouraged to take a month to consider them. During this time members of the congregation will have the opportunity to give the elders private feedback and talk to the candidates about questions they may have.

  • At the next scheduled member’s meeting, the candidates will be voted on by private ballot individually. Per our constitution, a simple majority of all votes cast is required for a candidate to be elected as a deacon.

  • Finally, having met the biblical qualifications for the office and having been affirmed by the congregation for service, the candidate will be publicly installed in his office at a regular worship service or special installation service by the prayer of the whole church and the laying on of hands by the elders.

If you have any questions beyond the scope of the information presented above or the bylaw sections below, please talk to one of the elders.

  • Section 5 – Deacons

    The office of deacon is described in I Timothy 3:8–13 and Acts 6:1–7. They shall be a member in good standing and affirm the statement of faith. The church shall recognize, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections, men who are giving of themselves in service to the church, and who possess particular gifts of service. Following recognition of a deacon by vote of the congregation, he shall be publicly installed in his office at a regular worship service or special installation service by the prayer of the whole church and the laying on of hands by the elders. These members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as deacons. This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the church triennially.

    Deacons are not another governing body of the church, but with humility, willingly serve Christ's church under the authority of the elders.

    Deacons will seek to promote unity and encouragement within the body, thereby allowing the elders to remain focused on the ministry of the word and prayer.

    Deacons shall care for the temporal needs of members, attend to the accommodations for public worship, including but not limited to, assisting in the preparation for the ordinances of baptism and communion. They will also encourage and support those able to help others and those with gifts of administration.

    The deacons shall receive, hold, and disburse a fund for benevolence, with approval from the elders. Only total receipts and disbursements will be reported to the church.

    The deacons, with the agreement of the elders, may establish unpaid administrative positions or committees of members to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities in the church. This would include but not limited to, the maintenance and improvements of our building and grounds.

    The deacons will only meet together when necessary to help one another in facilitating any elder requests. Each diaconate position shall serve a particular need of the church and shall be created or dissolved upon the recommendation of the elders and the subsequent approval of a majority of the members present and voting on the question at any members’ meeting.

  • Section 1 – Principles

    The process for church elections shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfill the following principles:

    Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process;

    Nominations should proceed with the support of the elders;

    All candidates for church office should be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members;

    The election process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration that is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Section 2 – Selection of Officers

    The election of officers shall be held at a members’ meeting of the church. Names of nominees to serve as elders, deacons, clerk, or treasurer shall be presented by the elders at a previous members’ meeting and the election shall proceed as directed by the moderator.

    The elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process. Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the elders. Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the elders as far in advance as possible before the relevant church members’ meeting.

    The moderator shall declare elected all men receiving a two-thirds majority of all votes cast for the office of elder. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a simple majority of all votes cast; abstentions will not be considered as votes cast.

    The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.