Elders and Deacons

Question 1

Biblical Qualifications for Elders

Answer

An Elder must be a mature Christian man who meets the standards for an Elder described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4, and Titus 1:6-9. The Elder should be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, respectable, hospitable, managing his own family well and in a manner worthy of full respect. He must also have demonstrated a shepherd’s heart and a spirit of humility through a history of selfless service to and through the church, such as serving as a Deacon, teaching Sunday School or Bible study, serving on committees or ministry teams, regularly volunteering and serving in church ministries, and other similar acts of service. This service will be exemplified by our Lord’s teaching on leadership and humility (Matthew 20:27-28; Luke 10:9-14; Luke 14:1-11). An Elder must be a God-fearing man who shows the Fruits of the Spirit in his life. He must also be able to teach others the way of the Lord and defend truth in the face of false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Titus 1:9). He must not be quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3:3) or enter into senseless controversies (1 Timothy 1:3 and 6:4-5).

Question 2

Additional Requirements for Elder Service

Answer

Additionally, an Elder must be at least 30 years old, have been a believer and a member of FHBC for at least five years prior to beginning his term of service (1 Timothy 3:6), be a practicing financial tither to the church, and over the past three years have demonstrated active, faithful, and selfless service to the church as set out above.

Question 3

Elder Term Eligibility and Waiting Period

Answer

A man shall not be eligible to serve as an Elder for a period of two years following the end of his most recent term of service as an Elder.

Question 4

Qualifications

Answer

Deacons shall be men who meet the Biblical qualifications for deacon as set forth in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3, have been members of the church for at least one year, and are at least twenty-five years of age on January 1 immediately preceding their election. A deacon must also be a practicing tither to the church and have been a believer for at least five years.

Question 5

Expectations

Answer

According to our church's constitution and bylaws, a Deacon is expected to...

Serve as a partner and co-worker in ministry with the Senior Pastor and ministerial staff;

Work as a team and in unity in all aspects of Deacon ministry;

Participate in Deacon ministries and activities as they are able;

Give full support to the overall ministry of the Church;

Actively promote fellowship, harmony and unity among Church members and refrain from destructive criticism;

Honor the privacy of all things communicated to them in confidence by an individual or the Deacons;

Conduct themselves in a manner that honors God, themself, their family and their Church and refrain from any activity that would reflect negatively on any of the above.