Deacon Qualifications & Questionnaire
Deacon Qualifications:
1 Timothy 3:8-12 says, 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.
What Does this Mean?
Excerpt taken from 9 Marks (http://www.9marks.org/journal/biblical-qualifications-and-responsibilities-deacons)
Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12:
1.
Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy,
and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).
2.
Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say
something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words
cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
3.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or
other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
4.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon,
especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
5.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a
clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way Paul speaks of the gospel (cf.1
Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel
without wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs, for he must also hold these
beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is, the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.
6.
Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they
prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character.
Although Paul does not specify what type of testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal
background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. Moreover, the congregation should
not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the
person’s track record of service in the church.
7.
Godly wife (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake
of this discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife.
According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things”
(v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer
or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate.
That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such
judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10). This is a general requirement which
functions similarly to the requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and for
deacons to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
8.
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to
the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no
other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.
9.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and
children.
What are the Responsibilities of a Deacon?
Building/Grounds: Deacons are responsible for managing the church property. Making sure the place is
ready for Sunday morning worship (Putting out signs, Setting up Connection Center, Checking the
Bathrooms, etc.), and working with the Set-Up Team
Benevolence: Assisting the needy in the church body
Usher Ministry: Organizing the Usher Ministry which involves the taking up of the church offering and
counting for attendance records
Ordinances of the Church: Preparing the Lord’s Supper and handing it out, Preparing for Baptism and
assisting when called upon
Logistics- The deacons should be ready to help with anything that would allow the Elders of the Church
to focus on shepherding the flock
Resources to better understand the office of Deacon
Helpful Website:
http://www.9marks.org/journal/deacons
Helpful Book:
http://www.crossway.org/books/finding-faithful-elders-and-deacons-tpb/
Questions for the Interview Process:
All deacons can expect to give answers to the following questions. The purpose of these questions is to
aide in the sanctification process (becoming more like Jesus). The following questions are designed to
challenge, correct, and grow us in the Lord.
1. Personal Testimony – Share with us the gospel and how you came to faith in Christ
2. Personal Walk - Describe your prayer and devotional life. Has God been real to you in prayer of late;
is your relationship with him vital? Is anything hindering your communion with God? Are you making
progress against it?
3. Purity - Are you leading a sexually pure life? (What do you consider a sexually pure life?)
4. Possessions - Do you understand the Biblical tithe to be for Christians of the giving to the Lord’s
work? Are you giving out of your income in Biblical proportions, or are you moving toward that
standard?
5. Ministry Involvement - Tell us of how you have been involved in people’s lives in ministry through
Living Hope Bryan or through other organizations in the City.
6. Home Life – If married, how are you leading your wife? How are you leading your children? How are
you using your time? We must take initiative and guard against passivity.
7. Office affinity - Describe for us the duties of deacon. How do your gifts, abilities, interests fit this
office?
8. Wives – Personal Testimony and Ministry involvement within home, church, and community
Other Questions:
1. Can a Single Person be a Deacon? 1 Timothy 3:12 says, 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one
wife, managing their children and their own households well. Some read this verse and interpret it to
mean that you must be married and even have children to be a deacon. The phrase “husband of one
wife” literally means, “one woman man”. What this means is that the one in consideration is faithful to
his wife. The issue is not whether the potential candidate is married; it is whether they are morally and
sexually pure. Remember what the Apostle Paul says about singleness, (1 Cor 7:8 ; 32-35) 8 To the
unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 32 I want you to
be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the
Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests
are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be
holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her
husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good
order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. In the case of managing the household, the
question at hand is, “If the potential candidate has children, is he being faithful to manage/lead them?”
2. Can a Divorced Person Be a Deacon? The phrase "...the husband of but one wife..." in verse 12 has
been interpreted in various ways through history. Literally it means that a Deacon must be a “onewoman man”. Traditionally the church as taken the stand that this prohibits one who has been divorced
from serving as a deacon. It has always been God's ideal will that a person never divorce. However,
there are Scriptural examples where God permits divorce. In Matthew 19:9 Jesus gives the exception
clause that allows divorce for habitual, unrepentant sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 7:15, Paul
teaches that if a Christian is abandoned by a non-Christian then the Christian is not "bound" to maintain
that relationship. It seems that the phrase "...the husband of but one wife...” when taken with the
whole of Scripture, does not automatically disqualify an otherwise qualified candidate who has been
divorced.