The church needs deacons to provide logistical and material support so that the elders can focus on the Word of God and prayer. Requirements vary, because Baptist churches are autonomous and have no governing body that serves as the sole source of authority. DEACON NOMINATION PROCESS We have a seven-step process for nominating and voting on deacons at Fairview Baptist Church. In the Orthodox Church, the diaconate is not just a step to priesthood, many deacons have no intention of ever becoming priests. Meet with your church’s Staff-Pastor Parish Relations Committee and the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM) for approval to become a “certified candidate.” Educational Requirement. God calls every man to service as a deacon in his own way. It’s hard to know specifically what Paul meant in 1 Timothy 3:10 when he said to let the deacons “first be tested.” As a pastor, I pursued a possible application: The chairman of our leadership team and I met personally with each potential deacon prior to his placement on the ballot for the election of church … The path never seems to be the same. While the Baptist Church has deaconesses, there are many others that debate whether or not women should be allowed to serve in this role. Church leaders are highly visible in the church and the community as role models of godliness and holiness. All deacons and elders are required to complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies in the Christian Faith, a minimum of 27 semester hours. Baptist churches do have similar traditions they follow in acknowledging a candidate's qualifications for ordination. At this point I must warn you about these well meaning clergy. Fairview Baptist Church. Deacons are not to form a board to rule the church; that is not their job description.

1. This is similar to the modern distinction between a deacon and an elder, as the elder is supposed to take care of the spiritual needs of the church while the deacon meets the physical needs. Last Sunday we talked about the reason for the Baptist Deacon. Churches who have such deacons will be blessed indeed. First Baptist has continued in selecting men to serve the needs of a growing and diverse congregation. Requirements vary, because Baptist churches are autonomous and have no governing body that serves as the sole source of authority.

We have long been blessed with a great cohort of deacons working throughout the entire ministries of our church. Within each Baptist church is a group of deacons chosen for devout attributes who assist the pastor, preach to the congregation and reach out to the community. A Deacon’s Relationship to the Church Membership at Large The deacons are to be active in ministry to the church family, promoting peace, harmony and a spirit of cooperation among the membership. A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Some men just feel it is something they are supposed do, others are cornered into it by well meaning friends and clergy.

Since ordination is a function of the local church, each Baptist church decides for itself how it will interpret and practice the qualifications of divorce and remarriage for its ordained leaders. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican church, view the diaconate as part of the clerical state. They are to lead the church in ministry.