Introduction and Overview
“An Oasis of Hope in Christ” mattblackcounseling.com 6N171 Gary Avenue Roselle, Illinois 60172 Deacon Qualifications Test An evaluation designed to help determine a man’s maturity, measured by the standards in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3 (ESV), “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
Acknowledgments
Most of the original information in this booklet was derived from a discussion by the elders of Valley Brook Community Church in Columbia, Maryland, compiled in writing by Steve Huhta as well as the elder qualification test (2nd edition) of John Hopler. © Great Commission Association of Churches, 621 East Broad Street, Suite 2F, Pataskala, OH 43062. No part of this booklet may be reproduced without the written consent of the author. However, the Test Questions, the Qualifications Key, and the Answer Sheet may be reproduced for the purpose of allowing a man’s wife, pastors, or associates to take the test in evaluating his life, as long as one booklet is purchased for each man being evaluated.
Part 3 · Page 3
Initial Questions by the Elders
We would ask that you and your wife write out your testimonies of salvation using the space in the back of this booklet. You may also write or type it out on a separate piece of paper. Please use the Scriptures where appropriate. Indicate when you placed your trust in Christ and turned to Him in repentance. You may use the following outline.
- My life before Christ
- How I came to know Christ
- My Confession of Christ (“Jesus Christ is my…”)
- My life since I came to know Christ
- Please communicate the Gospel simply in two minutes.
- Why do you believe God has called you to be a Deacon?
- What is your understanding of the role of a Deacon?
Besides prayer, what can the Elders do to help you succeed in performing your role as Deacon?
Please tell us of your own personal devotional time - what does it consist of; how regular is it?
- Do you have the full support of your wife or family in this calling?
- Are you fully committed to the leadership and to the church even in difficulty?
- In the list of qualifications from 1 Timothy 3:8-13 where would you say you are the weakest, and what are you doing to grow in those areas?
What do you think your strengths are in the qualifications and how are you guarding those strengths so as not to become weak?
Deacon Qualifications Test
How to Use This Test This is a tool to help discern whether a man is qualified to be a deacon. For any individual who is seriously being considered for appointment, it is suggested that the test be taken by:
- The deacon candidate himself.
- The man’s wife.
- If desired an elder or elders, or others who know him well.
After this test is taken, the results will be discussed by the Living Hope Elders and shared with the person whose life is being evaluated. Qualifications for the deacon (Based on 1 Timothy 3:8-10; 12, 13) The questions that follow are based on the qualifications listen below taken from the Pastoral Epistles. Please answer the questions as honestly and openly. The definitions of these qualifications are given in the back of this booklet for your edification.
- Dignity
- Not Double-Tongued
- Not Addicted to Wine
- Not Fond of Sordid Gain
- Holding to the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience
- Tested
- Beyond Reproach
- Husband of One Wife
I. Good Manager of Children and Household
Test Questions
Name of individual being considered: ______________________________________________ If the answer to the question is Yes, put a “1” in the space provided. Write a “0” if it is No. Record a “1” if the question does not apply (e.g., a question as to children and the person has none).
Is he gaining the respect of his peers? _____
Is it true he does not change his opinion or instructions when faced with pressure? _____
Is it true that there are no sins that have mastered him? _____
Does he trust God when tested financially? _____
Does he believe the Bible’s important doctrines that the church emphasizes? _____
Has he successfully served the church in some capacity? _____
Is it true that no one has an unresolved justifiable complaint against him? _____
Is it true that neither he nor his wife (if married) have been divorced? _____ Note: if a divorce in question was biblically based, then put a “1” down.
Does he lead the family devotions? _____
Is it true he does not do things that bring disrespect to himself or his family? _____
Is he consistent in what he says to people? (He does not say one thing _____ to one person and something else to another.)
Does he make sure to do nothing that is causing a weaker Christian to stumble? _____
Is he generous with his money? _____
Is it true he does not have any doubts regarding the Bible, its doctrines, or authority? _____
Has he earned the respect of those he has served through his service? _____
Do his friends, roommates, wife, and fellow home group or ministry members _____ believe he is qualified to be a deacon?
Is he faithful to his wife physically? (If single, does he have control _____ of his sexual desires?)
Does he take the lead in training his children? _____
Does he treat sensitive matters appropriately? _____
Do people find him believable? _____
Is he self-controlled emotionally? _____
Is he content before God in his present financial situation? _____
Does he have assurance regarding his salvation? _____
Did he cooperate well with others in the area in which he served, including _____ the pastor(s) and deacons?
Does he believe he is qualified to be a deacon? _____
Is he pure in his relationships with other women in the church? _____
Is his house clean and orderly? _____
Is he aware of spiritual realities and is appropriately sober? _____
Is he open and honest with others about what he is really thinking? _____
Does he refrain from excessive drinking or taking addictive drugs? _____
Does he tithe? _____
When he sins, does he quickly claim the forgiveness God gives through Jesus Christ?_____
Does he successfully complete the tasks the pastors assign him? _____
Does he have a clear conscience? _____
Does he have a high moral standard as to what he reads, watches in _____ theaters, or on TV?
Does he maintain a budget with respect to his finances? _____
Definitions of Deacon Qualifications
A. Dignity
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:8 Definition: Greek word “Semnos” means to be first reverent, then serious, grave. The NIV translation: worthy of respect.
B. Not Double-Tongued
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:8 Definition: Greek word “dilogos” primarily means saying the same thing twice or given to repetition, hence saying a thing to one person and giving a different view of it to another. NIV translation: sincere. Amplified Bible: not shifty and double-talkers but sincere in what they say.
C. Not Addicted to Wine
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:8 Definition: Greek word “prosecho” means to hold the mind, to turn one’s mind to, and is used here of giving oneself up to wine. King James translation and Amplified Bible: not given to much wine. NIV translation: not indulging in much wine.
D. Not Fond of Sordid Gain
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:8 Definition: Greek word “aischrokerdes” (for ‘fond of’) means greedy of base gains. Gain, in the Greek, is the same word. Sordid in the Greek is a related word. King James translation: not greedy for filthy lucre. Base (King James says ‘filthy’) would mean morally low. Amplified Bible: not greedy for base gain—craving after wealth and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods of getting it.
E. Holding to the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:9 Definition: Greek word “musterion”, a secret, known only by divine revelation. It would refer to spiritual truths, the gospel. Hold on to these truths, the faith, the gospel with a clear conscience. NIV translation: keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
F. Tested
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:10 Definition: Greek word “dokimazo” means to test, prove, with the expectation of approving. Amplified Bible: and let them also be tried and investigated and proved first.
G. Beyond Reproach
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:10 Definition: Greek word “anegkletos” (or anenkletos) means that which cannot be called to account. Unreprovable, blameless. Implies the absence of an accusation against the person. NIV translation: if there is nothing against them let them serve as deacons.
H. Husband of One Wife
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:12
I. Good Manager of Children and Household
Verse: 1 Timothy 3:12 Definition: Greek word “proistemi” (for managers) means to stand before, to lead, attend to, rule. NIV translation: manage his children and his household well.
Testimony of Deacon Candidate
Please indicate when you placed your trust in Christ and turned to Him in repentance. You may use the following outline: a.) My life before Christ, b.) How I came to know Christ, c.) My Confession of Christ [“Jesus Christ is my…”], d.) My life since I came to know Christ.
________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Name: ____________________________________
Testimony of Candidate’s Wife
Please indicate when you placed your trust in Christ and turned to Him in repentance. You may use the following outline: a.) My life before Christ, b.) How I came to know Christ, c.) My Confession of Christ [“Jesus Christ is my…”], d.) My life since I came to know Christ.
________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Name: ____________________________________
Part 11 · Page 11
May the Lord bless you as you live for Christ and are conformed to His glorious image!