The Policy Manual of Victory Baptist Church Introduction The Policy Manual of Victory Baptist Church is based on the following statement in Victory Baptist Church's Bylaws. VIII. Policy Manual The Policy Manual of Victory Baptist Church shall be considered binding. Amendments or additions to the Policy Manual may be made at a regular business meeting of the church by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting. Amendments or additions must be written, but may be approved without prior notification of the church. Section One: Committees Policy on Term Limits A church member's term on any single committee is limited to three consecutive years, and a church member's term as chair of a committee or as a church officer is limited to two consecutive years. Individual exceptions to these term limits may be granted for a period of one year by a simple majority vote of the church membership at any regularly scheduled business meeting. If the holder of a position takes office after September 1st and serves over half of the year in that position the year applies to their total years of service in the position. Section Two: Deacon Ministry Policy on Deacon Selection Victory Baptist Church will use this statement as a basis for determining the qualifications required of deacon candidates and the process for electing candidates to the office of deacon. 1
Section One of Policy on Deacon Selection: Qualifications Required of Deacons We have the fundamental conviction that quality control is to be exercised on the front end. In other words, we elect deacons because they are qualified. Part One: Scriptural Qualifications There are two primary passages of New Testament scripture which set forth qualifications of those who serve as deacons. The following interpretations are accepted by Victory Baptist Church as far as they speak to qualifications required of deacons. 1. Acts 6:1-8. This passage is commonly considered the record of the appointing and work of the first deacons. In fact, the word "deacon" (diakonos) does not appear in the passage. The closely related words "service" (diakonia), "to serve" (diakonein) and "ministry" (diakonia) do appear in the passage (6:1,2,4). There is no conclusive evidence that the seven of Acts 6:1-8 either did or did not hold the formal office of deacon. Nonetheless, the passage displays the spirit of deacon ministry and sheds light on the question of qualifications. a. Deacons will be "men of good reputation." A literal translation is "men who are being witnessed," or who are obtaining attestation to their character. Deacons will have developed a good reputation among the members of the church. (In the specific context, the men's good reputation must have included known impartiality. The dispute which gave rise to the need for the seven was over discrimination - 6:1.) b. Deacons will be "full of the spirit and of wisdom." Deacons will give evidence of the Spirit's presence and fullness and will demonstrate practical wisdom for implementation in the church. The seven needed wisdom to deal with the fundamental issues of unity and impartiality and the immediate concern of effective charitable distribution. c. Deacons will possess a servant's spirit. The seven were appointed to render specific and unglamorous service. 1. Their task was administration and distribution of resources to meet specific temporal needs. 2. This does not imply that deacons are restricted or excused from the "spiritual" task of bearing witness. Notice the 2
2. 1 Timothy 3:8-13. activities of Stephen (6:8-7:60) and Philip (8:5ff). The third chapter of 1 Timothy is composed of instructions from Paul regarding the characteristics expected of those who hold the positions of "overseer" and "deacon" in the church. Instructions regarding deacons are in 3:8-13. a. Deacons will be "men of dignity." Deacons will be worthy of respect. This is closely related to the "good reputation" required in Acts 6:1-8. b. Deacons will be "not double-tongued." Deacons will be consistent and live by the same standard in every context. Deacons will have integrity. c. Deacons will be "not... addicted to much wine." d. Deacons will be "not... fond of sordid gain." Deacons will be honest in business and private financial dealings. e. Deacons will hold "to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." Deacons will fully embrace the gospel message and be doctrinally orthodox. f. Deacons will "first be tested." Deacons will be tried and proven. Testing is accomplished in two ways. First, the deacon will have lived the faith over a period of time in the context of the church. That is, faithfulness will have been demonstrated over time prior to consideration for the office of deacon. Second, the deacon will have been directly examined in regard to life and doctrine in view of potential election as a deacon. g. "Not malicious gossips." This refers to not publishing rumor, speculation, judgment and damaging truths. h. "Temperate." Temperate means not indulgent. i. "Faithful in all things." Faithfulness means trustworthy. In all things indicates that faith permeates all areas of life. j. Deacons will be "husbands of one wife." We take this to be a requirement of monogamy. k. Deacons will be "good managers of their children and their own households." Deacons will be committed to their families. Deacons will be responsible spouses and parents. 3
Part Two: Contextual Qualifications The following qualifications are not required by the above mentioned passages of scripture, but are adopted by Victory Baptist Church. 1. Mission Qualifications The mission of Victory Baptist Church is revealed in her purpose and vision statements. "The purpose of Victory Baptist Church is to lead unchurched people to become fully devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God." (Article II of the Constitution of Victory Baptist Church.) A copy of the Vision Statement of Victory Baptist Church is attached to this document Our evangelistic mission makes it mandatory that: a. Candidates for the office of deacon will be active personal witnesses of Jesus Christ; and, b. Candidates will have received training in personal witnessing or will take the earliest opportunity to receive training. 2. Doctrinal Qualifications Victory is a distinctively Baptist Church which claims the Baptist Faith and Message as its statement of faith. Candidates for the office of deacon will give general affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message statement. Points of difference with the Baptist Faith and Message will be discussed forthrightly with the Deacon Nominee Examination Committee. A differing view does not necessarily disqualify a nominee from candidacy. This is consistent with the spirit of the Baptist Faith and Message. Note these excerpts from the "Report of Committee on Baptist Faith and Message": They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz., repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.... the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience.... they are statements of religious convictions, drawn from the Scriptures, and are not to be used to hamper freedom of thought or investigation in other realms of life. 4
(In each case, "they" refers to confessions of faith.) The Deacon Nominee Examination Committee will be comfortable with the doctrinal views of the candidate as measured by the Baptist Faith and Message. 3. Covenantal Qualifications The members of Victory Baptist Church enter a mutual agreement which is called a "Church Covenant." Victory's Church Covenant is stated in full in Article IV of The Constitution of Victory Baptist Church. Candidates for the office of deacon will agree in spirit with the covenant and strive to live according to its affirmations. 4. General Qualification The Bylaws of Victory Baptist Church specifically mandate that "A deacon candidate shall be a member of the church for two years before they shall be eligible to serve as a deacon. An ordained deacon from another Baptist church will be eligible for nomination after one year of membership. (Bylaws, II. Church Officers, Section 3. Deacons). Section Two of Policy on Deacon Selection: Selection Process The nomination of deacons shall take place annually at a regularly scheduled business meeting, which will usually be in the fourth quarter. The deacons and Pastor may also recommend to the congregation that nomination and election of deacons take place at other times during the year as required to fill vacancies or new positions (e.g., caused by loss of deacons or by growth of the congregation). a. The deacons will determine the number of deacon positions that require nominees and will announce that number at least one month prior to the nomination business meeting. b. Members desiring to make nominations should come to the nomination business meeting prepared to do so. Each church member present at the nomination business meeting may nominate individuals with whom they have spoken to confirm a willingness to serve or individuals whom the Lord has lead them to nominate; with the total nominations made by any one person not to exceed the number of deacons positions open. c. The active deacons will be responsible for conducting the nomination in cooperation with the moderator. 2. The confirmation of nominees as candidates will take place during the 5
month following nomination the nomination business meeting and will be performed by the Deacon Nominee Examination Committee, which will be composed of the pastor and at least two active deacons elected by the deacons. a. The Deacon Nomination Examination Committee will review the list of nominees to determine which are eligible according to provision 1d above. A deacon serving on the Examination Committee will call each eligible nominee to determine they are willing to become a candidate. b. Nominees who are willing to become candidates for the office of deacon will meet with the Examination Committee to discuss how they practice their faith, the theological alignment with Victory Baptist Church, and their commitment to faithfully perform the responsibilities of a deacon. The Examination Committee will determine that the nominee either is ore is not qualified to become a candidate. c. The names of confirmed candidates will be announced one week prior to the date of the election. 3. The election of deacons shall take place annually at the regularly scheduled business meeting, which will usually be in the first quarter or at a special called business meeting. a. All candidates confirmed by the Deacon Nomination Examination Committee will be included on the ballot. b. The Examination Committee will be responsible for conducting the election along with the moderator, including preparing the ballots, passing out the ballots, and counting the ballots. c. Each church member present will receive one ballot and, for candidates listed, will mark on the ballot whether or not they support that candidate becoming a deacon. d. Candidates receiving 75% supporting votes will be elected as deacons. 4. The determination of the length of terms. a. A deacon s term shall not exceed three years. b. If necessary to even out the rotation in the coming years, the deacons can decide among themselves who should serve a term of less than three years. This may come about, for example, if a large number of deacons are elected relative to the number of deacons currently serving. c. After serving a three year term, the deacon is required to take a 6
one year sabbatical. Section Three: Policies on Buildings and Grounds Policy on Changes and Additions Any changes or additions (egs., aesthetic, structural, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by the Grounds Committee and Building Committee prior to action. 7