Cornerstone Members,

As we prepare for our annual members meeting, the leadership wanted to bring the 2017 Deacon and Deaconess Nomination list before you. As a reminder, to be nominated as a deacon or deaconsess, you must be a member of Cornerstone for at least one year. If you have any questions about the nominations, please talk to your gospel community leader prior to the March 16th members meeting. See below for deacon and deaconess qualifications as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-12 .

 

Deacon Qualifications

The deacon plays a critical role in the life of the church. While it is not an office like elder/pastor, it is a high and noble calling in Christ, for deacons are considered the model servants in the local church. Since our Lord equated greatness with servanthood (Matthew 20:26-27), serving as a deacon is a great privilege carried out in the grace of God.

The qualifications by which a deacon is recognized are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12: “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.… Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.”

Eleven qualifications are seen from the passage:

1. Servanthood (v. 8): The word “deacon” means “servant” and was used of table waiters or messengers. It conveys the idea of service of love or personal service to another. The deacon serves joyfully without being told, nor does he expect recognition or applause.

2. Dignified (v. 8): The phrase “men of dignity” indicates one who is stately, with a demeanor which commands respect and conduct which calls forth godliness in others.

3. Example in speech (v. 8): To be “not double-tongued” means he is consistent and godly with his words both in public and private. He is not a flatterer or one who gossips, but he uses his words to construct an atmosphere of strong trust among others.

4. Self-controlled with alcohol (v. 8): The deacon is not “addicted to much wine.”

5. Generous (v. 8): He is not “fond of sordid gain,” which literally means not “shamefully greedy.” He is content with what he has, and he is generous toward others regardless of his resources.

6. Embraces biblical doctrine (v. 9): He holds “to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The “mystery of the faith” refers to New Testament truths that were not previously known in Old Testament times surrounding the gospel and the work of Jesus Christ. (Cornerstone follows this by only nominating members as deacons since members have given assent to the church’s doctrinal statement.)

7. Lives a life worthy of biblical doctrine (v. 9): Holding to biblical truth “with a clear conscience” includes living a life that is a witness to the world and the church of that truth.

8. Proven faithful (v. 10): This qualification comes from the statement, “These men must also first be tested, then let them serve as deacons.” The biblical word for “tested” was used to describe: 1) faithful soldiers tested in battle and shown to be reliable to the cause and 2) precious metals put in fire to assess their purity and worth. Before nomination, men must be observed for a time, erring on the side of longer than shorter, so that a pattern of faithfulness is demonstrated.

9. Integrity (v. 10): To be “beyond reproach” does not mean to be perfect, but a deacon lives a life of integrity in all spheres; no legitimate accusation can be brought.
   

10. Sexually pure (v. 12): The phrase “husband of only one wife” (literally “a one-woman man”) has to do with moral character, not so much marital status. Whether married or not, he is sexually pure.

11. Model home life (v. 12): He is a good manager of his children (if he has them) and of the affairs of his household.

 

Deaconess Qualifications

Though the pastor/elder role is restricted to men (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 3:1), the role women play in the church is a critical one. Whether they are discipling other women or teaching children or assisting various ministries in crucial ways (e.g., administering benevolence, hosting gospel communities, organizing conferences, etc.), women play an essential role in the ministry of every strong local church. For this reason, Scripture recognizes those who are deaconess-qualified.

The qualifications by which a deaconess is recognized are found in 1 Timothy 3:11: “Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.”

Five qualifications are seen from the passage:

1. Servanthood: The verse falls within a discussion on deacon qualifications, so the term “woman deacon” or “deaconess” is appropriate for the role. Since the Greek word translated “deacon” means “servant,” servanthood is a hallmark qualification. Like male deacons, the office is reserved for those who are model servants in the local church.

2. Dignified: The word “dignified” indicates one who is stately, with a demeanor which commands respect. It also carries the idea of one whose conduct calls forth godliness from others.

3. Christlike speech: In the Greek, the phrase “malicious gossip” literally means “she-devil” or “she-Satan,” which indicates how serious slander and gossip are. The deaconess’ speech, in public or private, brings grace and creates unity in the local church, not bitterness or division.

4. Self-controlled: The Greek word translated “temperate” has the idea of “clear-headed,” “alert,” “watchful,”  “self-controlled,” or “self-disciplined.” As a general pattern of life, she is consistent and controlled.

5. Faithful in everything: She is reliable, dependable, and well-ordered, especially when given responsibility.

 

	Deacons	Deaconesses
1	Bishop, Andrew	Bishop, Lauren
2	Brown, Micaiah	Chassard, Ashley
3	Bruin, Chris	Cornelius, Lisa
4	Casady, Adam	Christie, Brooke
5	Cornelius, Michael	Davis, Leslie
6	Delano, Collin	Delano, Samara
7	Farrington, Phil	Farrington, Meg
8	Fowden, Ian	Fowden, Angelique
9	Handyside, Parker	Hayes, Tina
10	Hayes, Seth	Howard, Erin
12	Herbert, Neill	Jacoby, Trish
13	Howard, Adam	Kuhr, Elaine
14	Jolley, Richard	Lagerman, Suzanne
15	Kuhr, Rolland	Larson, Anika
16	Lawrence, Todd	Maxson, Torrie
17	Merritt, John	Merritt, Ashley
18	Mellinger, Derek	Mumma, Sera
19	Park, John	Rickards, Maia
20	Peck, Jesse	Stevens, Lucy
21	Psmithe, Kevin	Thompson, Stefani
22	Rickards, Travis	Wood, Jenn
23	Stanley, Ben
24	Stevens, Colby