Deacon Election at WBC - Part II

Why make such a big deal about deacon qualifications? Is it really that important that a man meet certain criteria prior to being nominated and/or elected as a deacon of a local church? At Wynne Baptist Church, we believe it most certainly is.
There are two main reasons why:

(1). The Bible sees it as important.
The Holy Spirit inspired Luke and Paul to mention qualifications for the deacon in their writings. Luke recorded the apostles saying that deacons must be men "full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). Paul wrote to Timothy that "Deacons...must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well" (1 Timothy 3:8-12).
So, the very fact that the Holy Spirit inspired both Luke and Paul to include qualifications for deacons informs us that we too must see it as vitally important.

(2). Qualifications identify both a calling and a seriousness from the man elected deacon.
What I mean is this. I believe God calls certain men to be deacons at a church. Deacons aren't better than any other man, just like pastors aren't better than any other man. They are men called of God to serve a vital position (see Part I). In addition, men that meet these qualifications demonstrate a seriousness about their Christian walk and a serious love for the church of Jesus Christ. The office of deacon is a serious position. As Paul said in 1 Timothy 3:15 (three verses after the list of qualifications), the church is "the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth." What results when the "household of God" is operating the way God intended with God called, qualified pastors and deacons? A corporate confession of the majesty of Jesus Christ (see 1 Timothy 3:16).

Qualifications are important for deacons. The following is a list of qualifications a man must meet prior to being elected as deacon at Wynne Baptist Church:

Shall be a Spirit-filled man.

Shall set a high standard of separated Christian living.

Shall be active and faithful to all major areas of church life.

Shall not be a gossiper.

Shall believe in and practice Christian stewardship by tithing.

Shall have compassion for the lost, and seek in his living and speech to win them to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shall be a single man or the husband of one living wife, having never been divorced.

Must believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, without error, the source of authority for precept and practice.

Must believe in salvation by grace, through faith, on the basis of the substitutionary death of Christ for sinners.

Must rule his children and own house well.

Shall do all in his power to create and preserve harmony in the church.

Shall be able to keep, and have the reputation for keeping, in confidence those things which should not be discussed with others.

Shall recognize the God-given spiritual leadership that is incumbent upon the office of a pastor and seek to serve under that leadership.

Shall seek to minimize the murmuring to the maximum.

Shall support by faith and action The Church Covenant and the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).



Pray through these, asking God to reveal to you whom He perhaps has called to serve as deacon. Go tell him that God has led you to him. Ask him if he is willing. If so, nominate him by turning in a form to the church office. May God keep His hand on our church by taking serious what He takes serious for the glory of His name.