Article X - Deacons and
Deaconesses
Section Two:
Appointment of Deacons
According to the process set forth in Acts 6:3, when a need arose
within the congregation the members of the congregation were instructed
to choose Deacons from among themselves. In keeping with
this, when a need arises at Valley View Baptist Church, the need shall
be presented to the congregation; and the congregation shall choose an
individual who is skilled in the area of need to be a Deacon in this
capacity. Because of the spiritual nature of this calling, the
Elders shall ensure that any individual chosen is worthy of the
qualifications set forth for a Deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Once a
suitable person has been found, a special meeting shall be called from
the pulpit on a Sunday morning at a regularly-scheduled worship service
for the purpose of presenting the candidate to the congregation for a
vote. The special meeting shall be called no less than seven days
from the announcement, and the purpose and time of the meeting shall be
mentioned in the announcement. Upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority
vote of members present at the special called meeting, the individual in
question shall be appointed to the office of Deacon. At that time,
he/she shall come before the congregation to be formally appointed as a
servant in this area; and in keeping with the traditions of scripture,
the Elders shall lay hands on the newly-appointed Deacon, ordaining
him/her to service in the church. In this manner, the members of
the body have chosen the individual to do the work; and the Elders have
approved them.
