This form is to be used by those who are in members of Epiphany Church for the purpose of nominating other people for the Biblical office of Deacon/Deaconess.
WHY?
In Acts Chapter 6 we see a church that is following the great commission. (Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Matthew 28:19 )
However they failed at living out the great commandment. (You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:36-37)
In the early church there was favoritism, along racial and cultural lines, in the church’s ministry to the poor, food relief. and care for widows. Thus they called out from them 7 Godly men filled with the Holy Spirit to lead through their service. To help the elders of the Church be able to be more singularly focused on the ministry of prayer and the preaching of the word.
The character qualities of a deacon are found in 1 Timothy 3 and the letter to TItus 3. Throughout the New Testament we see men and women serving as deacon(ess) and they serve in a variety of ways. The difference between a member who serves well and often and a deacon(ess) is that this title which means ‘servant‘ in the original greek is a way of honoring those who not only serve well, but live a life worth following in Jesus. Another way to transalte the same word is ‘minister’.
FOR US BEING A DEACON(ESS) IS A CALLING
Deacon(ess) are those who are called to live not a perfect life, but a life without scandal, that commends the faith. Some churches have deacon(ess)’s that function like the church board, or as voluntary leader for a certain number of years, usually 3-4 years. Other’s see the office of deacon, as a true calling upon someone’s life, that never ends. We take that later view, this person is not just called to serve in a specific way right now, but is called to the ministry by God (and confirmed by His people) for life. We do encourage sabbaticals from the active work of the ministry so that those who serve may have time to focus on themselves, their family and be spiritually refreshed.
At Epiphany we have a ‘ministry team’ which is made up of the elders, deacons and other great leaders, who lead different ministries at the church but are not ordained. The ‘ministry team’ doesn’t run the church, but serves it, and is responsible to Lord and reports the members of the congregation as stated in our bylaws.
The time of training for the office of deacon(ess) will depend on each person and their life situation. Here are a few qualifications in addition to those listed in the scriptures at the end of this form that need to be met before they would be ordained.
– There is no active addiction in their life. No secret tie to pornography.
– No recreational use of majiuanna, and alcohol is used in moderation, both in frequency and amount.
– No fraud, honest in your public and private dealings, even in the ‘minor’ things that many would consider no big deal (example, stealing cable, misfiling your taxes.)
– Willing to undergo finanicial counseling, be transparent on how they spend money and their financial dealings are all honest and above board.
– Willing to undergo a background check and have no active criminal cases.
– Either living a celibate life, or are in a biblically defined marraige (to be a one woman man, or a one man woman, with no infidelity).
– Have served well as a member of the church for at least 6 months.
– While we all have a past, that past has been dealt with definitively, and all that would pull you back to it.
– For it to seem reasonable to other church leaders that you will be able to faithfully sustain this lifestyle.
The church desperately needs to point out what it looks like to follow Jesus. In our church deacon(ess) also serve the historic roles of the deaconate beyond care for the poor, management of church funds, and many other practical needs, but can have powerful ministries to the soul, and are encouraged to fullfill pastoral ministries suchas to annoint the sick with oil, bring communion to those who are shut in and have missed church, and under the care and direction of a pastor, baptize new believers, perform weddings and funerals.
INSTRUCTIONS
– Please nominate only one person on a form. We need you to state very clearly the reasons that you believe that he or she is qualified and should be considered by the congregation to serve in leadership. In particular, explain how this person meets the character qualifications listed in the Bible for leaders.
– Pray with other people about this process. We hope that the church really takes time to think and pray hard over this process.
– Make sure that you include YOUR name on this form. If there are questions for clarification, we would like to be able to follow-up with you.
HOW THIS FORM WILL BE USED:
– Our ministry team will consider all candidates who are members and receive multiple nominations. This is according to the Bible’s standard that a person’s character should be verified by “two or three witnesses”.
– All potential nominees will undergo an intial self-evaluation, and an evualuation by a spouse, and two people outside of the church (such as a nieghbor, a coworker.)
– All potential nominees (and their spouses, where applicable) will be interviewed to determine their willingness and qualification to serve.
– A list of qualified, nominated candidates will be presented to the congregation in a future community meeting. At that time, all qualified, nominated candidates will undergo a season of training.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:
The Biblical standard for those who would seek to lead in the church is very high. Read over the passages listed above and also this 3 point summary below:
1. A leader is one who loves well – he/she loves Jesus, his/her family, loves other Christians, and loves those who are not Christians (1 Tim 3:1-7, John 15:9-17).
2. A leader is one who repents well – he/she knows that they need forgiveness and models a lifestyle of regularly repenting and trusting in Christ. Christian leaders are not full of self-righteousness or self-trust (Matt. 23:23-28).
3. A leader is one who knows how to get out of the way. Leading is not about promoting self, but promoting Jesus and seeking the growth and good of the church by being a servant (Matt. 20:20-28)
