DEACON   QUALIFICATIONS

On July 16, 2017 during both morning services, we will begin our deacon selection process for our 2017-2018 deacon council. We will select as many candidates as are required to fill the number of open positions, each to serve a three-year term to replace those deacons rotating off the end of August.  Please read the qualifications listed below for deacons and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit in your selection of the ones to serve in this position. A list of candidates will be forthcoming for selection.

MEN: If you believe you meet the criteria and are willing and able to serve, you should contact the church office so your name will appear on the list to be provided to the church membership as candidates for selection.  Please contact the office at 864-288-1323 or beth@rockycreekonline.org by Sunday, July 9, to submit your name.

CHURCH BODY: You may still submit candidates as well.  However, they MUST first be approached & agree to have their name on the list – then YOU need to contact the church office to have their name(s) added.  Again, please do this by Sunday, July 9.

1. General Qualifications:

Qualifications set forth in Acts 6:l-4, 1Timothy 3:8-13 and other pertinent scriptures

Member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church for a minimum period of one (1) year at time of selection to serve

Proven servant of the church

Supporting member of the membership covenant

At least twenty-one years of age

2. Scriptural Qualifications:

a.Of honest report Acts 6:3

One who has a good reputation in church and community.  One who bears a good witness for the Lord.

b.Full of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) Acts 6:3

One whose life if permeated with spiritual concern, righteousness and surrender to the Lord’s will for his life.  Willing to be led by the Spirit.

c.Full of … wisdom Acts 6:3

One who has good common judgment. Wise in God’s ways and in dealing with people.

d.Grave I Timothy 3:8

Honorable and honest – respected and well thought of in church and out of church.

e.Full of faith Acts 6:5

One whose faith impels him to take action for God in the face of obstacles. A faith that expresses itself in faithfulness.

f.Not double-tongued I Timothy 3:8

One who is honest in his speech. One who does not say one thing to one person or group and another thing to another person or group. One whose word can be trusted.

7. Not given to much wine I Timothy 3:8

One who seeks God’s help in abstaining from all drugs, food, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize their own or another’s faith. (See Romans 14:21-22)

h.Not greedy of filthy lucre I Timothy 3:8

One who will not seek gain illegally or unethically, will not take advantage of others dishonorably or take that which belongs to another.

i.Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience I Timothy 3:9

A man of sound doctrine who believes the word of God in both profession and practice.

j.First be proved I Timothy 3:10

One who has given evidence of worthiness and fidelity to the Lord and His church.

k.Being found blameless I Timothy 3:10

One against who no charge of wrongdoing can be brought. One whose life can stand examination.

l.Husband of one wife I Timothy 3:12

The emphasis is on being a “one woman man.” No man having two living wives should be elected a deacon – not  interpreted to the exclusion of one who has experienced divorce –  A man who has proven himself faithful in the bonds of Christian marriage

m.Ruling their children and their own houses well I Timothy 3:12

One who through love, Christian teaching and practice leads his house into being a home dedicated unto God.

n.One who fully supports the church (Church Covenant)

One who contributes cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

15. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things I Timothy 3:11

The wife of a deacon has the same high standard of the deacons. She can only be the wife she should be through a heart dedicated to the Lord. She is to minister along with her husband. Faithfulness to her husband, family and church are essential.