Biblical Qualifications for Deacon

 The New Testament teaches us that deacons are servants who serve the pastor and the church body through: 

  • Fostering unity in the body by being a positive leader, a godly example, and a peacemaker; 

  • Exemplifying the mission of the church to members and prospects; 

  • Working with and supporting the pastor and staff to carry out the mission of the church;

  • Engaging in discipleship ministry—evangelistic, outreach, new members, hospitals, shut-ins, crisis;

  • Care ministry—ministering to families in your deacon care group and faithfully praying for them; 

  • Faithfully attending Sunday School and church services regularly; 

  • Serving at Morningside—e.g. S.S. teacher, media, greeters, security, etc. 

To serve as a deacon, you should…

  • Agree with our articles of faith in the church constitution (Article 3). 

  • Measure up to the qualifications and responsibilities given in our church constitution (Article 6, Section 2), Acts 6:1-6, and 1 Tim 3:8-13. 

  • Be a regular member in good standing at Morningside for at least one year prior to the start of his term of service.

  • Be self-controlled in speech, appetites, and actions (1 Tim. 3:8).

  • Have a firm grip on the truths of the gospel and live consistently with those truths (1 Tim. 3:9)

  • Have a proven track record as a faithful servant (1 Tim. 3:10)

  • If married, be faithful to your spouse (1 Tim. 3:12). If single, you should honor Christ with your body (1 Cor. 6:18-19).

  • Manage your children and household well (1 Tim. 3:12).

  • Be a man of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3)

  • Attend church services and activities faithfully unless providentially hindered.

  • Be a generous giver, understanding the OT tithe (Mal. 3:10) is just our baseline and NT grace giving is even more (2 Cor. 8-9).

  • Be a disciple maker: cultivating relationships with unbelievers to point them to Christ and mentoring a younger believer in the faith.

  • Be a problem solver and a peacemaker (Acts 6:1-2).

  • Free up the Pastor to give himself “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word” by ministering mercy to members in need (Acts 6:3-6).

  • Be fully cooperative with the Pastor as God’s undershepherd and support the church’s mission and vision.

  • [If a language ministry deacon] Speak both English and your native language in order to effectively conduct church business and care for others.

Standards For Church Leaders

Having received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, and having been immersed in obedience to His command, and

now living in fellowship with Him, I realize that ministering Christ and His Word to others is a high calling. In

view of my responsibility as a church leader, and relying on the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I promise

to fulfill my responsibilities and agree to the following:

  1. As a member, I agree to be governed by the constitution of Morningside Baptist Church. I affirm the church

    doctrinal statement.

  2. I affirm the purpose statement of my church, and I will seek to glorify God by loving God and loving people. I

    will focus on evangelism of the lost, edification of the believer and equipping the saints to do the work of the

    ministry.

  3. I will support Morningside Baptist Church and the leadership with my prayers, time, and finances (I Tim 2:1-

    3; Mal 3:10).

  4. I will seek to practice personal separation.

  5. I will seek to cooperate with and maintain a godly attitude toward all others in the church (I Cor 3:9).

  6. I will seek to daily set aside time for communion with my Lord in prayer and Bible study (Ps 119:9-11).

  7. I will faithfully attend and promote the services of our church including Sunday School, prayer meeting,

    revivals, and mission conferences (Heb 10:25).

  8. I will endeavor to be on time and attend the meetings of my ministry unless providentially hindered (Lk

    14:28-30).

  9. I will seek to adhere to the Morningside Baptist Church Activity Agreement for all church activities I oversee.

  10. I expect to be encouraged and exhorted in a Christian manner by the pastoral staff to whom I am

    accountable if I fail to uphold any part of this commitment (Heb 3:13).

Deacon Tasks & Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

1.     Deacons are servants who serve the pastor and the church body.  Most of what a deacon does is behind-the-scenes work.

2.     The goal of a deacon’s ministry is to free the pastor from the many details and worries of ministry by assuming a support role and to carry out tasks he assigns for the benefit of Morningside’s membership and the wellbeing of the ministry.

3.     Deacons serve to foster unity in the body by being a positive leader, a godly example, and a peacemaker.

4.     Deacons exemplify the mission of the church to members and prospects.

5.     Deacons should view evangelism as their chief goal, as should every church member.  Visitation ministry—evangelistic, outreach, hospitality, new members, hospitals, shut-ins, and crisis should be viewed as opportunities to share the Gospel and make disciples.

6.     Deacons must be faithful to attend Sunday School and church services regularly.

7.     Deacons should be personally involved with ministry programs—e.g. Sunday School teacher, K4T, ushers, etc.  While we ask deacons to participate, Morningside holds no expectation that a deacon must participate “in everything.”

Specific Tasks

1.     Attend Services Weekly (12 – 16 hours per month* – something you do already)

2.     Attend monthly Deacons’ Meeting (2.5 hours per month)

3.     Be a leader for your Deacon Care Group (about 10 – 15 individuals) including contacting group members, meeting needs of members, praying with members, etc. (1.5 hours per month)

4.     Attend to Deacon responsibilities such as preparing communion or counting offerings. (usually 2 – 4 times per year for an average of 1 hour per month.)

5.     Serve communion (.5 hours per month)

6.     Participate in Church social events and special events (1 hour per month).