Deacons

The aim of the deacon at LifePoint Church is to ensure that a ministry of care and prayer is being provided to every member in the following ways:

Care

Deacons will not be tasked to fix every sink, load every moving truck, or mow every lawn—but they are also not expected to avoid these things. As they put their ears to the ground and hear the practical needs of our people, deacons should be the first ones to offer help. In this way, they not only fulfill practical needs of our people, they also provide a model for the rest of the church about what servant heartedness looks like.

Here are some examples of what practical service might look like. The deacons may fulfill these things themselves, or they may work to ensure that someone else fulfills them.

Picking up medication for a senior adult who can no longer drive.
Giving middle schoolers a ride to church to help their single mother.
Helping a family move into a new house.
Coming to jump someone’s car if they are stranded in a parking lot.
Going to the hospital to visit someone after surgery.

Their aim should be to—as much as it is in their power—ensure that the practical needs are being met for each of their assigned families.

The deacons provide a bridge from the pastoral leadership of each campus to the individual members. These men and women will relay pressing needs or concerns to the relevant staff member who will take steps they deem necessary afterward.

Prayer

Deacons should not be people who serve merely out of obligation or duty. They should be people who genuinely love those they have been tasked to serve. Their care for their families should be unquestionable, as well as their devotion to praying for and serving them.

Deacons will contact each of their families (i.e., the head of household) once a month and will ask them a few key questions that will give insight into the family’s well being and needs. The questions will be:

How are you/your family?
How can we pray for you?
Is there anything you need help with or have questions about?
Have you had to miss any gatherings in the past month? If so, why?

In this way, deacons will serve as the “shock absorbers” for all questions, concerns, or comments from our people. The deacons will not necessarily be responsible for providing council, spiritual leadership, or answers to every question or concern. The deacons will instead ensure that the appropriate staff or pastor is notified and equipped to take whatever steps necessary to help the church member.

Qualifications for Deacons

Paul lays out the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8–13

“[8] Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Timothy 3:8–13

As officers of the Church, the role of deacon comes with great responsibilities and high standards. Like pastors, deacons are to possess lives that are shaped by the gospel. They must be respectable men and women who are well thought of by the church. Moreover, they must be willing and able to serve a two-year term as a deacon.

We understand the qualifications
for deacons as follows:

Dignified:
They are people who are taken seriously by the church body and are worthy of honor and respect.
Not double-tongued:
They are not gossipers, nor are they two-faced.
Not addicted to much wine:
They are able to exercise self-control as a pattern in their lives. They are not characterized by overindulgence.
Not greedy for dishonest gain:
This position isn’t an opportunity for them to “ascend the ranks” and gain power and influence for selfish reasons.
Hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience:
They know what they believe and why. They are able to communicate clearly the gospel and are confident with a Bible in their hands.

Tested first, proven blameless:
The church should think that it makes sense that a particular person serves as a deacon. This implies that they are already fulfilling this role to some degree before they’re ever asked.
Not slanderers:
They are people who love the church and the body. They won’t use sensitive information to gossip or revile. Their hearts break with and for the people, as well as rejoice over and alongside them. They can be trusted with sensitive information.
Husband of one wife:
They are faithful to their spouses (if married) and are not leading lifestyles of sexual sin and unfaithfulness.
Manage their households well:
The affairs of their own lives are in order. They are able to manage the stress of personal devotions, family care, work, etc. alongside the responsibilities that being a deacon will bring.

How Deacons Are Appointed

Following the model of Acts 6, deacons must be recommended by church members. The easiest way for individual church members to nominate those they think are best suited to fulfill the role is through Life Groups, Sunday School, or other LifePoint Ministries. These community members may nominate someone they believe best fits the role of deacon.

If there is someone you wish to nominate as a deacon at LifePoint Church, please email charity@lifept.org with your recommendation.