DEACONS
Deacons are called to be servants. Our English word, ‘Deacon’ is a transliteration of three Greek words primarily used in the New Testament:
- Diakoneo (v) = to be an attendant, to wait upon, to serve
- Diakonia (n) = service or attendance as a servant
- Diakonos (n) = a waiter, attendant, service or minister, servant
THERE IS NOT A BIBLICAL JOB DESCRIPTION FOR DEACONS,
BUT THERE ARE BIBLICAL QUALIFICATION
MORAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Not Double-Tongued (I Timothy 3:8)
Two-faced, deceitful in one’s words. Saying one thing and meaning another. Making
different representations to different people about the same thing
- Not Given To Much Wine (I Timothy 3:8)
- Not Greedy Of Money (I Timothy 3:8)
A person who is eager to gain even if such gain degrades their moral character
- Proven (I Timothy 3:10)
Tested, approved. It has the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not
- Blameless (I Timothy 3:10)
Not merely unaccusable, but unaccused; free from any legal charge
- Good Reputation (Acts 6:3)
To bear honorable testimony; to be well-testified about. To have a good witness
DOMESTIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Husband Of One Wife (I Timothy 3:12)
One at a time. Not having multiple wives. This qualification does not disqualify men
who are not married or men who are divorced
- Ruling His Children Well (I Timothy 3:12)
- Ruling His Own House Well (I Timothy 3:12)
SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Full Of The Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3)
Full = abounding or abundant
- Full Of Wisdom (Acts 6:3)
- Grave (Reverent) (I Timothy 3:8)
Having majestic and awe-inspiring qualities which do not repel but invite and attract
- Holding The Mystery Of The Faith In Pure Conscience (I Timothy 3:9)
A significant association of faith with ethics. Weiss notes, “It is as if the conscience
were the vessel in which the mystery of the faith is preserved”
TRUSTEES
Trustees are also called to be servants, as well as stewards. Since the position of Trustee is not a Biblical Office, there are no Biblical qualifications provided. However, we believe that the same qualifications used to select Deacons, should be the same qualifications used to select Trustees.
PILGRIM REST QUALIFICATIONS
- Willing to submit to leadership
- Willing to regularly attend Worship, Bible Study, Sunday School and Prayer Meetings
- Willing to Tithe
