How To Choose A New Deacon For A Church

Last updated on: November 23, 2015 at 10:58 am by Jack Wellman

How To Choose A New Deacon For A Church 2015-11-23T10:58:32-06:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How does a church choose a deacon? What are the qualifications and disqualifications for a deacon?

The Bible Model

If a church is deciding on who to choose and church deacon and how it must be done, we need look no further than the Bible to find the outline of the qualifications. These biblical qualifications must take precedence over the man’s personality, popularity, and personal appearance. I’m not saying these things are not important. I am saying that they are not as crucial as those mentioned in the Bible. Let the Word of God decide if a man’s qualified for a deacon, just as the deaconess would be qualified. We don’t have to guess what the qualifications are. It can simply turn to Scripture and use that as a guide given by God Himself.

Biblical Qualifications

We already know the biblical qualifications for a church deacon and one of the first few things mentioned is that “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain” (1st Tim 3:8). Paul writes “Deacons like must be….” pointing back to the previous verses for pastoral qualifications like he “must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1st Tim 3:2-3) but the deacon must also not be double-tongued meaning they say one thing to someone else and something different to another. That is duplicity and God will not tolerate it. The deacon must also not have an addiction to alcohol and not be motivated by money.

Having a Good Conscience

The word conscience means “with” (con) “knowledge” (science) which is why Paul wrote that the deacon “must hold 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” (1st Tim 3:9-10). If they have a good conscience then this means that they are not living in sin and have confessed all known sin to God. They must be blameless. This doesn’t mean perfection or sinless, otherwise none would ever qualify, but Paul means they should live a life above reproach where no one can accuse them with good cause and be blamed for sinful practices. They also have to be “tested first” which tells me that they must know the essentials of the faith by heart (e.g. Rom 10:9-13, Acts 4:12) and know them well enough to say what they are from memory.

A One-Woman Man

The deacon cannot be a man who is given to flirting with other women and most certainly never involved with someone that’s not his wife. Paul writes to ensure that the “deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well” (1st Tim 3:12). No womanizer will be in the kingdom (Rev 21:8) but neither will they be neglectful fathers and not being able to manger their own families because if they can’t, how could they ever serve the church?

Role Models

A church deacon must be an example for all of the church members and so “those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1st Tim 3:13). A church member who is not in good standing in the church will not be qualified to be a deacon. This means, at least, that the deacon will be faithful in attendance, will serve the church (which is what the word “deacon” means), and they will have confidence in their own faith in Christ. A deacon that lacks confidence in their own faith in Christ cannot pass along that biblical confidence to others. If they are not in good standing with the church then Paul is clear that they “will not be qualified to be a deacon.” It is as clear as that. There are no gray area qualifications in being a deacon.

Conclusion

Church deacons are essential to the Body of Christ the church, just as they were in the first century church. Anyone who is a candidate for the office of deacon must be living a life of holiness and one that is pleasing to God. They must also be biblically qualified or they shouldn’t even be considered for a deacon. This man must also live a life above reproach where any accusations against him will be groundless. He must have a good conscience and not be living a life of duplicity or hypocrisy and he must be faithful at all times to his wife. The deacon is a role model, for good or for bad, so selecting a church deacon must be run through the grid of Titus chapter 1 and 1st Timothy 3. If not, God will not recognize any many as a deacon in the church.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

Previous Post

November 23, 2015

How To Be An Effective Spiritual Leader

Next Post

November 23, 2015 How To Pastor A Small Church Effectively

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Answers Bible Definitions Bible Story Bible Study Bible Verses Christian Books Christian Entertainment Christian Fathers Christian Mothers Christian Quotes Devotional Famous Christians Music News Parables Prayers Quotes Sunday School Lesson Uncategorized Youth Sermons

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say is better than gold?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Wine Wisdom Strength Bread