Our church has been in the process of nominating deacons, which is something we do every year. With that said, I put together some questions for our congregation to consider as they prayerfully think about whom the Lord would have them nominate to serve as deacons.

The Qualifications for Deacons

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.”

Helpful Questions As You Prepare to Nominate Men to Serve as Deacons

In Regard to the Church

• Does he truly love the church and its mission and vision?
• Does he attend corporate worship regularly?
• Does he regularly attend the church’s ministries?
• Does he show respect for the pastors?
• Does he protect and promote unity?

Mark Dever: “You don’t want people serving as deacons who are unhappy with your church. The deacons should never be the ones who complain the loudest or jar the church with their actions or attitudes. Quite the opposite. . . You don’t want to nominate deacons who don’t recognize the importance of the ministry of preaching and teaching, but people who are anxious to protect it. More broadly, you want the most supportive people in the church to serve as the deacons. So when you’re considering who might serve as a deacon, look for the people with gifts of encouragement.” 

In Regard to Service

• In what ways does he currently serve?
• Does he serve on a regular basis?
• Does he take the initiative to serve others?
• Does he spot and meet tangible needs?

Alexander Strauch: “Deacons also need to be diligent in their work and follow through with their responsibilities. If they discourage the very people they are supposed to help, relationships will be strained. But if they do their work well, they will be an enormous help to the elders and to the health of the local church body.”

Dignified

• Is he a person of honor?
• Is he deserving of respect?

Alexander Strauch: “In the Lord’s work, a leader’s moral character and public reputation are essential to the task of leading God’s people.”

Not Double Tongued

• Does he have a reputation for keeping his word?
• Does he communicate consistently with different parties?
• Does he talk to people rather than about them?
• Is he a people-pleaser?
• Is he someone who flatters, gossips, or slanders?
• Does he communicate with love, or is he harsh in his words?

Matt Smethurst: “Being double-tongued is not a minor flaw or personality quirk; it is a symptom of hypocritical pride. It’s consciously saying one thing to one group—and then saying or insinuating something else to a different group.”

Not Addicted to Much Wine

• Does he drink alcohol?
• Does he exercise self-control when it comes to his consumption of alcohol?
• Do his close friends and family believe he controls his alcohol consumption?

Robert Yarbough: “All members of the church should lay hold of the grace of the gospel so as to rise above substance abuse; this behavior is all the more imperative for church-sanctioned figures like deacons.”

Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain

• What is his attitude toward wealth and material possessions?
• Does he give generously toward the ministries of the church, the needs of fellow Christians, and the needs of the poor?
• Does he prioritize kingdom giving?
• Is he honest in his financial dealings?

Matt Smethurst: “While these virtues mark any mature believer, the specific nature of diaconal work will sometimes put deacons in contact with church money. So Paul warns against installing anyone known for being deceptive, cutting moral corners, or obsessing over money. A worldly, materialistic person will struggle with greed, which will in turn fuel temptation toward dishonest gain. This should be an area, then, where a deacon displays unimpeachable self-control.”

Knowing and Holding to the Faith

• Does he give a credible profession of saving faith?
• Is he able to articulate the gospel of Jesus Christ?
• Have you seen him grow in knowledge and godliness in the past year?

Robert Yarbough: “Paul’s counsel to Timothy assumes that deacons are not just busy activists but also capable and informed in matters pertaining to Christian teaching, experience, and to some extent the Scriptures (OT and any then-recognized NT) themselves.”

Juan Sanchez: “That’s why deacons must not only be equipped to offer physical care, they also need to be able to minister the truth of God’s word. I don’t mean that they need to be able to preach a 30-minute sermon. But they need to be able to pray biblically informed prayers. They need to be able to make biblically informed decisions. To  do that, they ‘must hold the mystery of the faith.’”

Alexander Strauch: “A deacon must know the beliefs of the Christian faith, possess the faith, hold firmly to the faith, and live life consistently with ‘the mystery of the faith.’”

Tried and Proven Blameless

• Is he blameless before man?
• Is there any aspect of his character that would disqualify him?
• Is there anything in his theology or doctrine that would disqualify him?

Alexander Strauch: “Being examined and shown to be “blameless” does not imply that the deacon is free of faults! All of us have character flaws, idiosyncrasies, and character traits that annoy others. Being proved “blameless” or “above reproach” relates specifically to the qualifications for office. A deacon who is found “blameless” in this regard is worthy of respect, truthful in speech, self-controlled in the use of wine, sound in doctrine and life, and a faithful husband, good father, and competent household manager.”

The Deacon’s Wife

• If married, does he have a godly wife?
• Is she a woman worthy of respect?
• Is she likely to engage in slander or gossip?
• Is she a devoted wife and mother?
• Is she a faithful church member?
• Does she go to church with him regularly?

Alexander Strauch: “Every aspect of the life of a deacon’s wife is to be marked by faithfulness, dependability, and reliability, so that she is worthy of respect and is a blessing to the whole church.”

The Deacon’s Household

• Does he manage his household well?
• Does he love his wife and serve her as Christ served the church?
• Does he love his children and raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?
• Does the home he nurtures look significantly different from the home the world creates?

Alexander Strauch: “An elder or deacon must be above reproach in his marriage relationship as defined by the teachings of the whole of Scripture on sexuality and marriage.”

Alexander Strauch: “A Christian father is to be a teaching father who seizes every opportunity to instruct his children in the gospel and the Christian way of life.”

A Final Exhortation

In a Baptist church, one of the most crucial responsibilities of a church member is to elect godly men who meet the qualifications outlined in Scripture to serve as pastors and deacons. Therefore, strive to serve your local church well when you elect certain men to these positions, as this contributes to the overall health of your local church.