Deacon Ministry Statement of Faith

The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis to any statement of faith. The church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper (open communion.)

Deacon Body

The biblical qualifications for the deacon are found in 1Timothy 3:8-13 and in Acts 6:3.  These qualifications are set against the qualifications of the pastor which are listed in 1Timothy 3:1-7.

The similarities between the qualifications of pastors and deacons underscore the tremendous responsibility deacons have for service.  Deacons, as with other leaders of the church, are held to a strict accountability by God and should also be by the local church.

The men who agree for their name to be put in for nomination will need to know that they will be held accountable for these qualifications and that they further agree verbally that with God’s help, they will live up to the following qualifications.

By verbally agreeing to these qualifications, it will also mean that his wife accepts her role as a deacon’s wife and fits the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:11 for a deacon’s wife.

Duties of the Deacons

The deacons shall elect their officers and they may organize themselves as the demands of their tasks require, shall be organized for the consideration of problems related to their work.

In accordance with the meaning of the word and the practice of the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the church, whose duty it shall be to serve with the pastor and staff in performing pastoral ministries, and caring for church members, regular attendees, and other persons in the community.

Each deacon is expected to be active in the church’s Deacon Family Ministry Plan.

The deacons shall serve as a pulpit supply committee.  In case of absence of the pastor, they shall provide for pulpit supply.  In any period when the church is without a pastor, unless the church shall otherwise provide, they will arrange the temporary pulpit ministry and take counsel with reference to securing an Interim Pastor.

If the church has a Pastor Search Committee, the deacons shall in no wise conflict with the work of such committee.  At no time shall any person occupy the pulpit of this church that is not in sympathy with our Southern Baptist work.

The deacons shall, in coordination with the pastor, be responsible for the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  This includes scheduling the dates on the church calendar and the actual preparing of the elements and assisting the pastor in serving during the service.

Deacon Family Ministry Plan

Because we care for you and your family, the pastor and deacons of First Baptist Church Hebron are committed to the Deacon Family Ministry Plan.  We want to make certain that every member and family in our church experience the love and support of the whole congregation.  We want to be known throughout our community as a loving and caring church.

The Deacon Family Ministry Plan

This is a plan through which the deacons can join the pastor and church staff in ministering to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of each church member and family.  The resident church families are divided into groups.  Each group of families is then assigned to a deacon who will minister to them over a period of time.

In the Deacon Family Ministry Plan, every member and every family have a deacon.  The more effectively the plan works in our church, the closer our church will come to being a real family in Christ.  Your cooperation will help make the plan work.  Feel free to call your deacon.  Your deacon will seek to help you in any way possible.

How can a deacon help you?  Of course, you are the only one who can answer that question.  However, there are some specific ways your deacon wants to help.

Visiting – The first contact will be for getting acquainted.  However, your deacon will make other contacts throughout the year.  The form of these contacts will be entirely up to you and your deacon; email, phone, in-home visit, or possibly sharing a meal together.

Witnessing to unsaved family members – One of your deacon’s chief concerns is that every member of your family knows Christ as Savior.

Rejoicing with you and your family – Your deacon will share your joy when you celebrate important events or accomplishments in your life.

 Being a friend – Your deacon will be a good listener.

 Giving support in times of crisis – Sometimes your deacon can help you through the crisis by listening and giving support.  Other times, your deacon will know someone else or a community agency that can help.

 Answering questions about your faith or about your church or denomination– Your deacon will try to find the answers for you.

 Helping you know and have fellowship with other members and families in the church – Your deacon will encourage you to participate in social occasions when families in the assigned group or other church members get together for fun and fellowship.

Helping you find ways to serve in and through the church – Your deacon will watch for opportunities for you to use the talents, skills, and abilities God has given you.

 Praying for you and with you – Believing that you are important and believing in the power of prayer, your deacon will join with the pastor and other deacons in praying for you and each member of your family.