Heartland Baptist Fellowship Deacon Appointment Process
Established 1-27-03 Revised 1-16-2017 for 2017 selection
Heartland Baptist Fellowship (HBF) recognizes the biblical office of deacon as set forth in the Holy Scripture in the first book of Timothy chapter three, verses eight through thirteen (1 Timothy 3:8-13). In accordance with scripture, HBF has laid forth the following guidelines to facilitate an orderly process in selecting and appointing deacons to serve in the body in this office. These guidelines are in no way intended to modify, usurp or deviate from the Holy Scriptures[1] teachings concerning the requirements and process of selecting deacons in the local New Testament church. The intent of this document is to establish a decent and orderly structure for the appointing of deacons to serve the body of Christ in our local New Testament assembly.
Deacon Defined:
The English word “deacon” is transliterated from the Greek word [2]diaconos, meaning “servant” or “minister”. The book of Acts, chapter six (Acts 6) indicates that the deacon is appointed to his office and not elected. The purpose of the deacon was to free the apostles to minister and preach the Word.
1. The deacon serves in representation of his pastor(s). A deacon is to represent the pastor in matters of ministry of the Word and church business. The deacons in Acts chapter six represented the pastors by serving tables and ministering to the congregation. The deacon serves as a representative of the pastor and is accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ for the manner in which he conducts himself as servant of Christ.
2. The deacon is to be full of the Spirit. A deacon is to be a man of godly, biblical character. A deacon should manifest all fidelity in his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, his family and local church family. He should be a man who has a good report of those “without”.
3. The deacon ministers the Word of God. A deacon should be equipped to minister God’s Word as led by the Holy Spirit. Both Phillip and Stephen were capable expositors of scripture. First Timothy chapter 3 and verse 9 (1 Timothy 3:9) makes it clear that deacons are stewards of the mysteries of the faith.
Deacon Requirements:
1. Of honest report. 1 Timothy 3:8-12;
2. Full of the Holy Ghost. Galatians 5:22-23
3. Full of Wisdom. The Deacon should be well versed in scripture and have a working knowledge of the scripture, taught in Discipleship and manifest the maturity of a Christian who is fully consecrated to God’s will for their life and the life of the church.
4. From among you. The Deacon should be a member in good standing and proven as an able minister to both the pastor(s) and the congregation. A deacon must be consistent in attendance, ministry and service, and blameless both within the church family and within the community.
The Appointment Process:
HBF will appoint deacons from among us every two years. Any man can serve consecutive two year terms, but is reconfirmed in the position with a two-year appointment.
1. The congregation is to “look ye out among you”. Nominate someone to be appointed as deacon, believing he meets the biblical criteria, by submitting the name/s in the nomination box at the Connections Center no later than February 19, 2017.
2. From the names submitted, the pastor(s) will appoint no more than seven deacons and publish their names in the bulletin on March 5, 2017. If a member(s) of the congregation has personal knowledge that a man does not meet the biblical criteria, they will have two weeks to go to that man and attempt to resolve the issue in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-20. This two-week period will allow the man nominated to withdraw for whatever reason. Otherwise, it will be assumed that those on the list meet the biblical criteria.
3. On April 9, 2017, Pastor Hedges will hold a meeting with the men to be appointed and their wives to explain what is expected of them.
4. On April 23, 2017, our deacons will be installed in accordance with biblical instruction before the congregation during our Sunday service.
Please remember:
If you nominate someone and they are not appointed, there may be several possible reasons:
1. The pastor may know of a situation that disqualifies them.
2. It could be something as simple as not having been involved in the ministry of HBF for a sufficient period of time to be proved. Those who were not appointed at this time would be great candidates for the next two-year term.
3. A man may have great character, love the Lord and be a great deacon but have circumstances in their lives with a work schedule or other responsibilities that would limit their service. This man is at liberty to remove himself even though both the man and the pastor(s) would love to see him serve in the office of deacon.
4. Occasionally, a man may not be appointed because their giving record, reviewed by the church treasurer, reveals a lack of commitment to the local church.
5. A man is also at liberty to decline the honor for any number of personal considerations that we must respect.
6. There were more qualified nominees than the number to be appointed.
Please remember that while holding the office of deacon is an honor, it does not mean that those who are not selected are any less spiritual or less qualified to be deacons. In a healthy church, there should be many men that meet the biblical criteria for deacon and serve in that capacity without being recognized formally. It is for this reason that we will select deacons every two years and allow the Holy Spirit to give those other qualified men opportunity to serve the body through the biblical office of deacon.
Finally, please submit the names of the men who qualify for the office of deacon in the box located at the Connection Center.
Footnotes:
[1] Holy scripture is defined as the Authorized Version of 1611 (AV1611) or also referred to as the King James Version (KJV)
[2] The appearance of the Greek word diaconos is found in the following New Testament passages. Matthew 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 2:5,9; 12:26; Romans 13:44; 15:8; 16:1; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 6:4; 11:15,23; Galatians 2:17; Ephesians 3:7, 6:21; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:8, 12; 4:6