To Meadowview Baptist Church Members:
Please prayerfully nominate up to five men who meet the biblical qualifications of a deacon after reading the roles and qualifications of church leadership written below. Please submit online nominations no later than Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
Current Active Deacons Willie Adams, Matt Brooks, Chris Henson, Daniel Hill, Jeremy Richards. Terms are ending August 31, 2019 for the following active deacons - Chris Davis, Michael Reed, Dan Sivley.
MBC Constitution and Bylaws/Bylaws/Article II/Section E/The Deacons
In accordance with the teachings and practices of the New Testament, all deacons are to be servants of the church. Inactive deacons shall be those men who are not currently serving as active deacons in accordance with this section but are members of this church and have either been ordained as deacons by this church or have been ordained by another church of like faith.
A candidate for active deacon shall be a man who has been an active Christian for at least five years, including a minimum of one year as an active member of Meadowview Baptist Church, and shall be at least twenty-five years old.
Deacons, have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders. The biblical role of deacon is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling.
1 Timothy 3:8-12 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).
Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply that the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.
Godly wife (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake of this discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife. According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10).
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically. By this we believe that if a man is previously divorced, that he meets the requirements of a biblical divorce. Meaning that there was no unfaithfulness on his part and sought every opportunity to reconcile the marriage as a follower of Christ.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and participation.
In His service,
The Active Deacons & Elders of Meadowview Baptist Church
Please prayerfully nominate up to five men who meet the biblical qualifications of a deacon after reading the roles and qualifications of church leadership written below. Please submit online nominations no later than Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
Current Active Deacons Willie Adams, Matt Brooks, Chris Henson, Daniel Hill, Jeremy Richards. Terms are ending August 31, 2019 for the following active deacons - Chris Davis, Michael Reed, Dan Sivley.
MBC Constitution and Bylaws/Bylaws/Article II/Section E/The Deacons
In accordance with the teachings and practices of the New Testament, all deacons are to be servants of the church. Inactive deacons shall be those men who are not currently serving as active deacons in accordance with this section but are members of this church and have either been ordained as deacons by this church or have been ordained by another church of like faith.
A candidate for active deacon shall be a man who has been an active Christian for at least five years, including a minimum of one year as an active member of Meadowview Baptist Church, and shall be at least twenty-five years old.
Deacons, have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders. The biblical role of deacon is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling.
1 Timothy 3:8-12 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).
Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply that the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.
Godly wife (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake of this discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife. According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10).
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically. By this we believe that if a man is previously divorced, that he meets the requirements of a biblical divorce. Meaning that there was no unfaithfulness on his part and sought every opportunity to reconcile the marriage as a follower of Christ.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and participation.
In His service,
The Active Deacons & Elders of Meadowview Baptist Church