Deacons

Purpose

The purpose of the office of Deacon is to serve the Body of Christ primarily through the meeting of physical and practical needs so that the Church can fulfill its purpose and the Elders can fulfill their responsibilities.

Qualifications

Deacons shall be men from the congregation of Parkwood Baptist Church who meet the qualifications of a Deacon as they are set forth by the Word of God. They shall endeavor by God's grace to live and serve conforming fully to the standards found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3.

Responsibilities & Organization

Deacons will have primary responsibility for the serving roles of the Church in keeping with Acts 6:3. Each deacon will be given a primary area of responsibility to carry out and if needed, he will be expected to recruit the necessary people from beyond the Deacon body to fulfill the task. The areas of responsibility will include but are not limited to regular visitation of shut-ins, hospital visitation, preparation of baptism and communion, lead usher, lead greeter, parking lot supervisor, and audio/video team leader.

In addition, Deacons will be called on to assist those in the congregation with physical and material needs. Deacons are expected to look after the widows, single mothers, fatherless children, and shut-ins. Deacons will give primary leadership, in consultation with the Elders, to the distribution of benevolence within the congregation. They will be prepared to take on a responsibility that would assist the Elders in their ministry.

The Chairman of Deacons is responsible to see that each area of Deacon responsibility is carried out and that the Deacons are organized to meet needs as they arise. The Chairman will report at least quarterly to the Elders and the congregation the work of the Deacons.

The Deacons shall meet together at a minimum of quarterly for reporting and accountability.

The Deacons are accountable to the Elders and the congregation.

Term

Deacons will serve a term of three years and will be eligible to serve two consecutive terms. After the second term, a man must take one year of rest.

Selection

Deacon selection will take place annually on or before the first Sunday of November. Deacons, who are currently serving, will supervise the selection process.

• The number of Deacons needed for that year will be determined by the needs of the congregation as assessed by the Deacons currently serving and the Elders. The number of Deacons shall be based on the number of areas requiring men to give servant leadership. The needed number and responsibilities will be made known to the congregation when recommendations are sought. The minimum number of Deacons will be seven.
• Nominations for men to serve as a Deacon and Deacon Chairman are made by any member of the congregation, including the current Elders and Deacons. Nominations will be requested during August of each year.
•  Each nomination will be reviewed by the current Elders and Deacons to ensure that each man is Biblically qualified and evidences a ministry of servanthood.
• All those who are Biblically qualified, understand the expectations of their office, and desire to be considered will be presented to the congregation for prayerful consideration. Names will be presented along with the expectation of responsibility for the term of service. Names will be presented to the church during the month of October at least two weeks prior to selection. If the recommended list of qualified Deacons exceeds the number needed, the names will be placed before the congregation for a vote on the individual names presented for each specific responsibility with more than one candidate. Otherwise, the nominees will be voted on as a group by the congregation. No at-large Deacons will be elected.
• A Chairman of Deacons will be presented with the nominees annually. The Elders will recommend the Chairman of Deacons to the congregation. The Chairman will be voted on separately from the group. A congregational balloted vote of a two-thirds majority will be required to elect the Chairman.
• Deacon selection will take place by the first Sunday of November each year. A congregational balloted vote of a two-thirds majority will be required to elect the slate of nominees. In the event there are two nominees for the same area of service, the person with the most votes for that particular area of service will be selected.

Detailed responsibilities, duties and processes are available upon request.