MEN 

We desire to formally recognize and implement deacons in our body. Recognizing and affirming deacons has both a clear biblical precedent and is currently a strategic and urgent practical need.

During this process, it is essential that we hold to the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. We must ask not only does a man have the ability to perform deacon responsibilities but also does he have the spiritual character. The list is very demanding:  

1. Man of Dignity - exemplary spiritual and moral character.   
2. Not Double-Tongue - integrity and truthfulness of speech.  
3. Not Addicted to much wine - not controlled by, or addicted to alcohol.     
4. Not fond of sordid gain - his service is not motivated by financial profit.     
5. Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience - grounded in Biblical truth and his daily life is consistent with Biblical knowledge.    
6. After testing, found to be above reproach - there is nothing that he could genuinely be accused of.     
7. Husbands of only one wife - a ‘one woman’ man, faithful to his marriage.    
8. Good manager of their children and household - a good father and spiritual leader at home and providing an orderly, well managed home.    

The reward is encouraging. Paul says that those who have served well, obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith.

If you compare this list with the qualifications of an elder in the previous verses, you will notice the main difference to be a deacon is not one who is able to teach. The call to deacon is a high one and one we must take seriously.

If you have reviewed these qualifications and you know someone well enough to have evaluated them positively in each area, please submit their name to the elders by August 27^th.

Be thorough in that you know each to be true. In other words, it is not enough to not recognize anything negative in a person’s life. We must be sure that the positive aspects of these qualifications are apparent. You may never have heard a man be double-tongued but have you heard him speak honestly, even when it was difficult? Have you been in his home to know if it is well managed? Also recognize that every man fails in these areas at some time. Yet, as a habit, does a man lead this kind of life? Leadership is critical in the growth of the church and we must all be careful that those who are biblically qualified lead us into the future.      

 

WOMEN DEACONS?

As elders we also worked through the nature of a woman’s role in this area. The text in I Timothy 3 calls women to be dignified, not malicious gossips but temperate, faithful in all things. Is there an official office of women deacons, or is this talking about something different? There are great men on both sides of the issue.

Some say this passage is clearly talking about women deacons. They would say that this is not an authoritative office and it does not require any leadership of men of which the Bible speaks against emphatically. Also, Paul uses the term translated likewise to introduce the new office of deacon and then he uses the same term for the office of a woman deacon.

Others say this is not a separate office for women. They would point out that the word for women in 1 Timothy 3:11 may be translated wives and could easily refer to the wives of deacons. That would explain why, without any clarification, Paul goes back to talking about deacons in verse 12. Also, if women were meant to be deacons, why would Paul list the same qualifications for them in this verse?

Because of the strong arguments on both sides, we did not feel comfortable vigorously affirming a position as an elder board. There are some things we affirmed however.   

 

1.      We believe that men are to be the leaders of the church and are to teach and exercise authority.      
2.      We believe men and women are called to serve in the local body.     
3.      We believe that women serving in a recognized, formal matter should be qualified according to the principles found in 1 Timothy 3:11.

• Dignified - exemplary spiritual and moral character.
• Not Malicious gossips - does not slander others
• Temperate - balanced in judgment and self-control
• Faithful in all things ­ - trustworthy in all her endeavors

 

We ask again, if you have intimate knowledge of a woman that fits these characteristics, please submit her name to an elder by August 27th. Our desire is to faithfully shepherd God’s church. Your diligence will certainly help us in that effort.

  

This entry was posted by Josh Winans on Thursday, July 6th, 2006 at 3:12 pm and is filed under Church Philosophy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.