Qualifications and Responsibilities of Deacons and Trustees

Introduction

God's method by which the church of Jesus Christ has moved forward down through the centuries is that God selected a man to be the leader (the pastor) and then gave the leader men (deacons) who serve as support to the leader and as fellow servants to the congregation.

It is understood that God has always chosen to give the leadership the vision for the work of the Lord. For a pastor and board to work together for the enlargement of the kingdom of God is a beautiful experience.

Terminology Used With Church Boards

Deacons

The deacons are men chosen from among the congregation to "serve the church" in the practical, spiritual, and temporal matters of that body of believers.

Trustees

The trustees are men chosen from among the congregation to be custodians of the church property and serve as signatories.

Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors shall be chosen to assist the pastor in those churches which have insufficient number of men to qualify as deacons.

Official Board

The pastor and deacons shall be the official board of the local church. In the event a church does not have a Board of Deacons, the official board shall be that board elected to serve with the pastor.

Qualifications

Deacons

A man's life and character must pass certain criteria before he can qualify to serve. The Scriptures dictate the qualifications.

1. The deacon must be chosen from "among you" (Acts 6:3), a lay member of the local congregation for at least 1 year.

2. The deacon must be a man of good reputation, "men of honest report" (Acts 6:3). The confidence and trust of the congregation and community are essential.

3. The deacon is in a spiritual ministry, "full of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:3), according to Acts 2:4 and continuing to be "full" (Ephesians 5:18).

4. The deacon is required to make decisions in practical and temporal matters as well as giving support to the pastor in spiritual matters, so sound direction and wise counsel needs "wisdom" (Acts 6:3).

5. The deacon must be willing to be involved in the work of God through the church; he is to "serve" (Acts 6:2).

6. The deacon is to be "grave" (1 Timothy 3:8), i.e., steadfast and serious.

7. The deacon is "not doubletongued" (1 Timothy 3:8), i.e., a man of his word, dependable.

8. The deacon is "not given to much wine" (1 Timothy 3:8), i.e., he is temperate and does not depend on physical stimulants.

9. The deacon on is "not greedy of filthy lucre" (1 Timothy 3:8), i.e., he is a faithful steward with his tithe, generous, and not motivated by money.

10. The deacon is proper in his doctrine, "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9), fully subscribing to the tenets of faith of the Assemblies of God.

11. The deacon is a mature believer, "and let these also first be proved" (1 Timothy 3:10).

12. The deacon has not experienced matrimonial mixups, but is the husband "of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:12).

13. The deacon leads his home in Christ, "ruling their children and their own houses well" (1 Timothy 3:12).

14. The deacon's wife must be an example of the Christian life, "grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things" (1 Timothy 3:11).

15. At the discretion of the local congregation, a female meeting other stated qualifications may be selected to serve as a deaconess.

Trustees

Trustee boards in churches are frequently granted capacities similar to that of a Board of Deacons. If the Board of Trustees is granted such capacities, it is recommended that the qualifications shall be the same as a Board of Deacons.

Board of Advisors

Members of the Board of Advisors shall be men who subscribe to the tenets of faith of the Assemblies of God, who support the local church in attendance and finances and shall have been approved by the district officiary.

Official Board

If the official board is other than a Board of Deacons or Board of Trustees, the qualifications shall be determined by the constitution and bylaws of the local congregation as long as the scriptural standards of leadership are maintained.

Relationships of All Boards

To the Pastor

The board member is the pastor's advisor, helper, and prayer partner. In this position he is a loyal supporter to the pastor, assisting him to fulfill the vision and goals God has given him for the local church.

The pastor is the chairman and a voting member of the church boards.

To Each Other

Board members are a team, working together within the scope of their assignment with the view to achieving the successful advancement of the church.

Board members should seek to develop a close relationship through mutual prayer, worship, and cooperative co-laboring with the pastor and his staff.

To the Congregation

Board members should promote goodwill in the congregation and should strengthen the people's confidence in their pastor and his leadership. The spiritual interest and welfare of the congregation are their concern and responsibility.

To the Community

Board members should be the church's public relations men in the community. Their lives should be a testimony of true Christianity conducting themselves in a manner that will honor Christ.

Responsibilities of Boards

It is generally understood that the pastor, by virtue of his office, is president of the corporation and chairman of the board.

Deacons

The deacons shall act in an advisory capacity with the pastor in all matters pertaining to the assembly in its spiritual life and in the administration of the ordinances. They shall act in the examination of applicants for membership and also in the administration of church discipline.

At the discretion of the pastor, individual board members may be assigned portfolios of responsibility in the functioning of the local church.

It is expected that the official board shall serve as the nominating committee for selection of a pastor.

Trustees

The trustees serve as the official, legal servants in matters of business. Normally the president (pastor) and the secretary of the Board of Trustees sign legal documents in behalf of the church, particularly as property and financial contracts are involved.

The trustees, serving as custodians of the church property, shall include its proper maintenance and insurance, etc., and shall act on behalf of the church in selling and acquiring property.

Board of Advisors

Inasmuch as the district officiary serves as the official board of the local assembly when a Board of Advisors serves, this board shall act in all advisory capacity to the pastor in the routine functioning of the local church.

Official Board

The official board shall serve as it has been defined in the above guidelines.

Appendage

Elder or Eldership

After research, we conclude, because of the use of the word in the original Greek (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 5:17; James 5:14, etc.), that the words elder or eldership refer to the same office as pastor, bishop, or overseer. It is beyond the scope of our assignment to speak to this office.

Process by Which Eligible Men Are Determined

A. When a nominating committee is provided for in the local constitution and bylaws, the following procedure is recommended:

1. Spiritual qualifications shall be considered as stated under "Qualifications." (See Qualifications for Deacons above.)

2. The nominee shall be one who faithfully supports the local church with his attendance and finances.

3. The nominee should understand the Assemblies of God church government.

4. Before a nominee is presented, the pastor should share his philosophy and vision and determine the man's willingness to serve.

B. The selection of board members shall be by a vote of the local congregational membership after nominees have been approved.

Conclusion

The pastor is God's gift to the church; board members are the church's gift to the pastor.