Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/6/2011

Question
What is the qualifications to be a deacon in the southern baptist churches

Answer
Hi Gary

Thanks for this great question.  Each Baptist Church is autonomous.... or self governing.  It is best to check the constitution of your particular church to see the specific requirements in your local church.  Having said that, the Bible does give us some guidance.

Acts 6:1–7 (AV)
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.


The Deacon must be wise.. He must be spirit filled.  He must be chosen by the church.  We also have a list of character qualifications:

1 Timothy 3:8–13 (AV)
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


Reading through these qualifications, we can see what God expects from a deacon.

I hoped that this helps you.  I am so sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don