The Deacon Ministry

The office of a deacon emerged out of an unhealthy disagreement among some members of the early church. The first deacons were chosen to manage a conflict situation within the fellowship. Simply stated, they were preserving the church's health and vitality.

Qualifications:

1. The office of deacon is one ministry and service to Jesus Christ through His church

2. He is full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3,5) - Such men are spiritually minded and submissive to God's leadership.

3. He is full of wisdom (Acts 6:3) - Such men have spiritual knowledge and understanding that provide sound direction for the ministry of the church.

4. He is also full of faith (Acts 6:5) - Spiritual men walk by faith and not by sight because they know and trust the God of the Word and believe in the Word of God.

5. He has a good reputation (Acts 6:3) - Such a man demonstrates integrity and honesty to others. He has a believable Christian life.

6. He is a man who is not double-tongued, but is sincere in his speech (1 Timothy 3:8) - Such a man should speak with verbal honesty and integrity, not saying one thing to one person and something else to another.

7. This man abstains from the use of addictive drugs for other than medical purposes, and from the sale and use of alcoholic beverages (1 Timothy 3:8) - He realizes the importance of his Christian influence and is willing to limit his liberty for the sake of others.

8. He is not a greedy person (I Timothy 3:8) - Such a man is free from the love of money and other earthly possessions.

9. This man has a deep Biblical commitment (I Timothy 3:9) - This man holds to the truths of the Christian faith with a clear conscience. He is not easily swayed from the truth because he strives to live what he knows.

10. He must first be tested and proven (I Timothy 3:10) - This man must have proved over time that he is faithful and that his walk is credible.

11. He must also be beyond reproach and blameless (I Timothy 3:10) Such a man must display a lifestyle free from continual patterns of Scriptural disobedience. There should be nothing in his life for which he could be accused and thus disqualified.

12. This man's wife should be a woman worthy of respect, not a malicious gossip, buy temperate and faithful in everything (I Timothy 3:11)

13. He should be the husband of one wife (I Timothy 3:12) - He should be devoted an faithful to his wife.

14. He must manage his children and his household well (I Timothy 3:12) - Such a man should demonstrate leadership in his home life. He should have a well-ordered family life and well-behaved children.

15. He must recognize God-given spiritual leadership that is incumbent upon the office of pastor and seek to submit to his leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

16. He shall practice "storehouse tithing" of his family income (Malachi 3:10)

17. He should do all he can to create and preserve unity and harmony in the church (Ephesians 4:1-3).  

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