Seoul International Baptist Church Deacon Qualifications, Responsibilities, Selection and Ordination

Qualifications

When a man of Seoul International Baptist Church (SIBC) is asked to serve as a Deacon how do they know if they are qualified?  No deacon has all of the biblical qualities brought to perfection.  A man needs to be careful if he thinks that he must be perfect in respect to all spiritual qualities, this type of thinking will inevitably disqualify all that are called to be a deacon.  For no one can attain spiritual perfection; however it is our desire to attain spiritual growth and maturity through discipleship, fellowship, mentoring, prayer and service to the body.  Ernest people who really love the Lord are very foolish to decline office “because they are not good enough.”

A deacon first and foremost is a bondservant to Christ, ministering and caring for the body.  The first significant passage of scripture about the deacon is found in Acts 6:1-7. “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

Qualification #1. A deacon should have a good reputation.  The word here in Acts means that men witness good things about one.  There is something blameworthy in a man’s character if the consensus of opinion is unfavorable to him.

Qualification #2. A deacon should be full of the Holy Ghost.  The word full means “covered in every part, thoroughly permeated with, complete, and lacking nothing.” It represents wholeheartedness, total sincerity, and complete dedication.

Qualification #3. A deacon should be full of wisdom.  The wisdom of a deacon is the possession of a man by the Spirit which is born in a relationship. This does not mean that a deacon has to be a learned man.  Learned men are not necessarily wise men.  Wisdom here is essentially of a high spiritual order.

Qualification #4. A deacon should be wise in business.   Nothing in a deacon’s personal life should call into question their character as it applies to fiscal accountability.  These receive minor treatment in scriptures; but because of the things they were to do, it was taken for granted that they would represent the best human leadership.

The third chapter of First Timothy represents a new list of deacon qualifications.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 says:   “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

            There are both negative and positive qualities listed in these verses.  In looking at the negative qualities first, it must be remembered that a deacon cannot be made of negative material.  Merely quitting certain things does not make one pleasing to God.  The fact that a man quits swearing does not mean that he has become a Christian.  He has become a little more respectable but not necessarily regenerated.  What First Timothy is saying about deacons is that there are certain things which ought not to be part of a deacon’s life.  Men who have such things present and not corrected in their lives must not be made deacons. 

Qualification #5. A deacon should not be double-tongued.  A deacon should not say one thing before one audience and another thing before a different one.  The word used in scripture is unfavorable, for it plainly indicates double speech with intent to deceive.

Qualification #6. A deacon should not be given (addicted) to too much wine.  This is the second negative term used in First Timothy Chapter 3 concerning deacons.  A deacon has a responsibility towards God in the matter of alcoholic drink. 

Qualification #7. A deacon should not be fond of dishonest gain.  The third thing a deacon should not be is “greedy.”  This means that a deacon should not be eager for base gain.  The caution here is that a deacon is not to take a dishonest advantage to turn a penny of profit.  He must not be greedy of dishonest gain, that is, he must be careful about the way he makes his living.

Qualification #8. A deacon should be dignified.  This is the first of the positive qualities a deacon should possess.  The kind of men from which God expects a New Testament church to select deacons ought to be ones that have within them a certain dignity, a consciousness of human worth and divine privilege, and a right relationship to God, making them men who can be respected.

Qualification #9. A deacon should hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  A deacon is a man of clear conscience before God; there are no secret sins.  There should be no hypocrisy in his private or public life. 

Qualification #10. A deacon should be proved (tested).  The central idea of this word “proved” is that of testing or the demonstration of an individual’s capacity.  It is essential that a deacon be well grounded in the doctrine of salvation both by experience and precept.

Qualification #11. A deacon should be above reproach.  When Scripture says that deacons should be found “above reproach,” a qualification has been given.  This qualification is desired by many, but eludes everyone.  This means that no legitimate charge of wrongdoing has been leveled against a man or could be brought. 

Qualification #12. A deacon should be a husband of one wife.  Paul’s primary emphasis was that a deacon must be a “one-woman man.”   Jesus’ remarks (Mk 10, Mt 19, Lk 16) and the Old Testament (Genesis 1 & 2) are clear that God’s standard is divorce is not desired.  However, it is understood that grace abounds and God is free to work outside the bounds of His Word when it furthers His purpose.  Man is not free to set standards outside of God’s Word.

Qualification #13. A deacon should rule their children and their own house well.  A deacon should have a proven ability to lead his house in accordance with Godly principles.  His family is to be a model of faith and righteous living.  He should examine his ability to lead, and provide a Christian witness.

Qualification #14. A deacon’s wife should not be a slander.  A deacon’s wife should not be one to spread gossip or start rumors.  A deacon’s wife should not be malicious in discussing privileged information that her husband has shared with her.

Qualification #15. The deacon’s wife is expected to be honorable and considerate of others.

Qualification #16. A deacon’s wife should be sober.  This word sober means “temperate.”  This is a description of a life well lived, a life lived in perfect balance, a life that abstains from hurtful and the harmful; a life that treats the good things of life with a moderation that God would approve.

Responsibilities

The deacon’s responsibilities are inherent to the office of servant-hood.  Christ example of a servant was one of devotion and dedication.  As deacons we to need to have the same desire of devotion and dedication to the Body and our community.  The list of responsibilities below are not all inclusive, Christ expects us to sacrifice our own selfish desires to serve those who he has proved for us within the Body.  Sometimes the sacrifice that we may have to choose may be a tough decision, but God is always faithful in His promises.  A deacon will be expected to:

• Be a “cheerful giver” of time, talents and resources, which include finances.
• Participate in bible studies and/or Sunday school.
• Assist in Sunday school when an emergency arises and teacher is not able to make Sunday school class.
• Help with the distribution of the elements during the Lord’s Supper.
• Arrange his schedule, within reason, to attend the monthly deacons meeting.
• Assist in discipleship and evangelistic programs.
• Set the example for the Body of Believers in attendance of church functions.
• Tend to the needs of the Body.
• Greet visitors prior to any service.
• Support the Leadership Team where and when requested.

Selection Process

The selection of deacons at SIBC will be accomplished through a standing Nominating Committee.  The members will be selected and briefed by the current leadership team.  When the leadership team sees a need for additional deacons they will notify the nominating committee to prepare a list of potential candidates.  The committee should take the character of the office into consideration and should be composed of people who have some knowledge of the New Testament requirements for deacons which are stated in the church by-laws.   The committee will be composed of both men and women.  The committee not only presents nominations for deacons but also other officers of the church as needed.    

Once the list of nominees has been compiled the list will be given to the leadership team and each individual along with their wives will be interviewed.  The interview process should be prepared to present thorough information about qualifications, the duties of deacons, and church expectations.  Questioning should be in a positive spirit.  The best questions are ones the candidates need to answer in deciding whether they agree to be nominated.

Once the nominees are interviewed by the leadership team and the nominees feel comfortable to accept the nomination; the nominees will be announced to the Body.  A Sunday service will be scheduled to have all the nominees provide their testimony.  The testimony time will give the Body a chance to get to know the nominees better. After each testimony, the Body will be offered a chance to ask questions to the nominees related to their calling and qualifications.  The following week the body will select the required number of deacons through a closed ballot process.  The ballots will be collected and counted by the nominating committee and the leadership team.  The following Sunday the names of the selected deacons will be announced in the worship service.

Ordination

The New Testament records surprisingly little about ordination.  Churches often refer to the account of the laying on of hands of the seven new leaders in the sixth chapter of Acts as support for ordaining deacons.  This act apparently followed the Old Testament custom to symbolize the setting apart for divine service and the expressing approval by God’s people upon who would serve. 

• The ceremony of ordination is a meaningful act of Christian encouragement and recognition.  The church members are saying to each person ordained: “We have confidence in you.  We will pray for you as you are set apart to minister among us.”

• During ordinations at SIBC an examination period just prior to the ordination service will take place.  The examination is not meant to screen out unqualified nominees.  This will have been done prior to the body voting; instead the purpose is more like the questioning and vows in a marriage ceremony.  The question should be phrased so the deacons can simply answer “I do” or “I will.”

• The leadership team can invite other pastors from other like-minded congregations to participate in the ceremony.  The laying on of hands will be accomplished by standing deacons, pastor and other ordained individuals present at the ceremony. 

• When the ordination ceremony is complete each new deacon will be assigned to a veteran deacon for mentoring, training and fellowship.