Deacon’s Role According to Scripture:
1 Timothy 3:8 - Sincere, Respectable, Temperate, Not given to drunkenness
1 Timothy 3:9 - Blameless, Above Reproach, Honest
1 Timothy 3:12 - Faithful to his or her spouse, Loves his or her family well
What Do Deacons Do?
Deacons visit the sick, facilitate financial assistance to people in need, prepare the Lord’s Supper for worship services, host funeral dinners, and generally provide ministries of help and compassion. They may serve as ushers, receive the offering, help preparing for baptisms, along with other services.
Terms of Service
Deacons are elected by the congregation to a three-year term. After two consecutive terms, one will be ineligible for election for one year. The Deacons are accountable to the Elders. Deacons are required to participate in monthly board meetings as well.
Who Can Be a Deacon?
Deacons are men or women who are members of the church and who have been called, elected, and ordained to a role of sympathy and service. The EPC Book of Order states, “those who bear this office should exhibit especially those spiritual qualities of the Christian and should be earnest and wholehearted followers of Christ. They should be persons who are steady and reliable, well thought of by all. They should not be new in the faith and should be tested for faithfulness before election.”
How are Deacons Nominated and Elected?
The Nominating Committee consists of at least seven persons who are elected by the congregation. They receive nominations from the congregation and prepare a slate of candidates eligible for election at the next Annual Meeting.
Scriptural Support
1 Timothy 3:8-11
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. ...
Acts 6:1-6
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...
1 Timothy 3:12
Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
1 Timothy 3:11 ESV
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Acts 6:1-15
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...
1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
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. ...
Acts 6:1-6
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...
1 Timothy 3:12
Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
1 Timothy 3:11 ESV
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Acts 6:1-15
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...
1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
Nominating Calendar
- November | Open call for nominations among active members
- January | Candidates reviewed and prayerfully considered for call
- February-March | Nominating Committee extends invitation to accept call
- June| Election of Elders and Deacons at the annual Congregational Meeting
- August | Deacon Training – plan on two sessions, usually scheduled in the evening.
- September | Ordination and Installation – takes place during Sunday morning service.
- January | Open call for nominations among active members
- February | Candidates reviewed and prayerfully considered for call
- March-April | Nominating Committee extends invitation to accept call
- June| Election of Elders and Deacons at the annual Congregational Meeting
- August | Deacon Training – plan on two sessions, usually scheduled in the evening.
- September | Ordination and Installation – takes place during Sunday morning service.