The following materials are enclosed, but will also be available at the meeting:

Transcription

1 Dear Deacon Candidate, The staff and deacons at Spotswood have just finished the deacon nomination process for the upcoming church year. Your name was submitted to be considered for this important, biblical responsibility. I am inviting you to an informational meeting concerning the responsibilities of deacons at Spotswood, and the process we follow electing and ordaining new deacons. I will be meeting with all of the nominees on Sunday, August 28, 7:00 PM in Mobiles 9 & 10. The following materials are enclosed, but will also be available at the meeting: Deacon Qualifications (please read carefully) Deacon Selection Process (please read carefully) Deacon Ministry (please read carefully) Deacon Questionnaire (please complete, sign and return) Deacon Doctrinal Statement (please read, sign and return) Paul s Maturity Profile (please read carefully) The office of deacon is one of ministry and service to Jesus Christ through His church. The word deacon means servant. Any other understanding of this office does disservice to the New Testament record. This is not an office or position given to someone to honor him. The office of deacon is a spiritual ministry and should not be entered into lightly. I request that you review these materials carefully as you consider this opportunity for service. Evaluate yourself Biblically, honestly, objectively, and above all, prayerfully. Please take the time to examine the following documents. Complete the questionnaire and doctrinal statement if God is leading you to accept my invitation to become a deacon at Spotswood Baptist Church. Please return the requested information to Rori Bond by September 11, 2016 in order to attend the September 17 or 21 Deacon s meeting. In His Service, Dr. Drew Landry Senior Pastor

2 A Deacon: DEACON QUALIFICATIONS 1. Is full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3, 5). Such men are spiritually minded and submissive to God s leadership. 2. Is spiritually wise (Acts 6:3). Such men have spiritual knowledge and understanding that provide sound direction for the ministry of the church. 3. Is 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 the Word of God to be inerrant and infallible. 4. Has a good reputation (Acts 6:3). Such a man demonstrates integrity and honesty to others. He has a believable Christian life. 5. Is a man who is not double-tongued, but is sincere in his speech (1 Tim. 3:8). Such a man should speak with honesty and integrity. 6. Is a man who abstains from the use of un-prescribed or unnecessary drugs and from the sale and use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1 Tim. 3:3, 8). He realizes the importance of his Christian influence and testimony. 7. Is not greedy (1 Tim. 3:8). Such a man is free from the love of money and other earthly possessions. 8. Has a deep Biblical commitment (1 Tim. 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. 9. Must first be tested and proven (1 Tim. 3:10). This man must have proven over time that he is faithful and that his walk is credible. 10. Must be beyond reproach and blameless (1 Tim. 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. 11. If married, has a wife who is a woman worthy of respect, not a malicious gossip but temperate and faithful in everything (1 Tim. 3:11). The spouse should be devoted to God and yielded to the Holy Spirit. 12. Should be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:12). He should be devoted and faithful to his wife. 13. Must manage his children and his household well (1 Tim. 3:12). Such a man should demonstrate leadership in his home life. He should have a well-ordered family life and well-behaved children (still under his authority). 14. Must recognize God-given spiritual leadership that is incumbent upon the office of a pastor and seek to submit to his leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17). 15. Shall practice biblical stewardship of his family income (Mal. 3:10). 16. Should do all he can to create and preserve unity and harmony in the church (Eph. 4:1-3). 17. Should do all he can to quell murmuring in the church (Acts. 6:1-7).

3 DEACON SELECTION PROCESS 1. Nominations for deacon submitted by the Deacon Body and Pastoral Staff are collected and sent to the Senior Pastor for prayerful review and consideration. 2. Potential Deacons are contacted to determine their willingness and desire to serve. 3. Each Potential Deacon receives the following materials for review and completion: Cover Letter Deacon Qualifications Deacon Selection Process Deacon Ministry Deacon Questionnaire Deacon Doctrinal Statement Paul s Maturity Profile 4. Meetings are scheduled with all Potential Deacons for the purpose of overview and private interviews. An overview of deacon qualifications and job description is handled in a larger group. If necessary, private interviews take place between the Potential Deacon and the Senior Pastor to review the candidate questionnaire, doctrinal statement and other areas. 5. An Ordination Service is scheduled for men who are not already ordained. 6. Deacons are elected to serve as Active Deacons for a term of three years to begin their service on October 1 st following their election. DEACON MINISTRY Servant Opportunities : Lead Offertory Prayer Sunday / Wednesday Lord s Supper -- Teams Deacon-on-call if necessary, help Staff Invitation Counseling -- Training Greet and welcome guests before and after services. Encourage those in ministry (staff, music, teachers, The Story, etc.) Quell murmuring and grumbling don t be the source of it! Deacon Prayer Chain Hospital Visitation Special Projects Pastor s Prayer Partners Exercising your particular talents in church ministries so Deacons have as much interaction as possible with the church family.

4 DEACON MINISTRY Expectations: Faithful attendance at all services and church activities Biblical Stewardship Abstain from alcohol and tobacco Periodic deacon meetings (date specified each month: Saturday, 8:30am; Wednesday, 8:00 pm in Mobiles 9 & 10) Daily Prayer for Pastor and Church body (at a minimum) Faithfully witnessing to the lost: The Story Pre-service prayer for Pastor and as led for services. Projects : New Members Luncheons Quarterly Deacons & Widows / Widowers Christmas Banquet December 4 th Staff Anniversary Recognition October Mentoring Faithful performance of duties and participation in deacon and church activities is expected of each active deacon unless providentially hindered. Term of office Recognizing the demands and sacrifices of the Deacon Ministry, at the end of their three year terms deacons will automatically come off active status for one year. Although they will not be required to attend meetings, they do not cease in being a deacon. After this period they will be considered for another three year term of service. A deacon may ask to be relieved of his obligation to serve in an active capacity if his personal circumstances prevent him from faithfully performing the responsibilities of the position. A deacon may be removed from office by the Senior Pastor for moral or spiritual violations.

5 Paul s Maturity Profile The two paragraphs in Paul s letters to Timothy and Titus give us a powerful profile for testing our maturity levels in Christ (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10). The following is a combined list of these spiritual qualifications from both letters. 1. Above reproach (a man with good reputation) 2. Husband of one wife (maintaining moral purity) 3. Temperate (exemplifying balance in words and actions) 4. Prudent (being wise and humble) 5. Respectable (serving as a good role model) 6. Hospitable (demonstrating unselfishness and generosity) 7. Able to teach (communicating sensitively in a nonthreatening and non-defensive manner) 8. Not given to wine (not being addicted to substances) 9. Not self-willed (not self-centered nor possessing controlling personality) 10. Not quick-tempered (void of anger that becomes sinful) 11. Not pugnacious (not an abusive person) 12. Uncontentious (non-argumentative and non-divisive) 13. Gentle (a sensitive, loving and kind person) 14. Free from the love of money (nonmaterialistic) 15. One who manages his own household well (a good husband and father) 16. A good reputation with those outside the church (a good testimony to unbelievers) 17. Love what is good (pursuing godly activities) 18. Just (wise, discerning, non-prejudiced and fair) 19. Devout (hol y and righteous) 20. Not a new convert (not a new Christian)

6 DEACON QUESTIONNAIRE Only I read - CONFIDENTIAL NAME: Address: Home Phone: Work Phone: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: PERSONAL BACKGROUND 1. Marital status: (select one) Single Married Widowed Divorced Separated 2. Have you ever been divorce? If yes, year: 3. If married wife s name: 4. Name and ages of children: 5. Do you and your wife (if married) attend church services regularly together? Which service do you usually attend: 8:55 10:15 11:30 6. Are you a member of an Adult Bible Fellowship class? If yes, which one? 7. Have you ever been ordained as a Deacon?

7 If yes, name of church and city / state: SPIRITUAL BEGINNINGS 8. When did you become a Christian? 9. Give a brief testimony of when and how you came to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. 10. Were you baptized after salvation by immersion? When / Where? PERSONAL WALK 11. Do you have a regular quiet time of Bible study and prayer? 12. Please list your spiritual gifts: 13. Have you participated in got life? Have you served as a Team Leader in got life? 14. What are your potential growth areas in your Christian walk?

8 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 15. Are you a member of any civic organization or club? (ex. Rotary, Jaycee, Masons, etc.) Which one(s)? (Please SIGN your name) (Date) (Please PRINT your name)

9 DEACON DOCTRINAL STATEMENT 1. Yes No THE SCRIPTURES : I believe that the entire Bible, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and are inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserved and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). 2. Yes No GOD: I believe that there is only one true, living sovereign, holy and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each being a distinct person and with a distinct function, but all of one essence and all possessing the same nature, perfection, and attributes (1 Peter 1:2, Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19). 3. Yes No JESUS CHRIST : I believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross as a vicarious substitute, was buried, bodily resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power (John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11). 4. Yes No HOLY SPIRIT: I believe that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He is the chief convictor of sin, the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and empowers every believer to live a godly life (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5). 5. Yes No MANKIND: I believe that in the beginning God created mankind in His image. Mankind was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God s glory (Genesis 1:27, 31). 6. Yes No SIN: I believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind; therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind s fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23). 7. Yes No SALVATION : I believe the salvation of lost and sinful mankind is a free gift of God s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).

10 DEACON DOCTRINAL STATEMENT (Page -2-) 8. Yes No THE CHURCH: I believe that the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. It is made up of saved and baptized believers who regularly join together on the Lord s Day for worship, fellowship and ministry (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25). 9. Yes No EVANGELISM: I believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). 10. Yes No THE HOME: In addition to these important beliefs, I also believe that God has given parents and the home the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). ANY COMMENTS?