Deacon Election

The Session of FPC has approved the following candidates to stand for the office of deacon. These men have undergone a lengthy and strenuous review and training process, and the session has confidence that all of these men are fit for the office. Please take time to review the information about these men.

The election will be held during a congregational meeting in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5. You will be able to vote for as many candidates as you would like. Up to 20 will be elected.

There are 34 nominees.

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Candidates for the Office of Deacon

We elect a man to the office of deacon because of his godliness and giftedness. So, we prepare to vote by prayerfully considering the nominees in light of the scriptural qualifications and responsibilities. Then we ask ourselves two questions: 1) Does this brother meet the requirements of Scripture for this high office? And 2) does he evidence the abilities to perform the duties of the office?

To better prepare for the election, we hope that you will review the answers the candidates have thoughtfully provided to several questions regarding the requirements for deacons.

View their answers here, or pick up a printed booklet at the church in the coming weeks.

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What is a deacon?

In the Presbyterian Church, there are two types of officers: elders and deacons. Within the office of elder, there are two kinds: teaching elders (commonly referred to as ministers or preachers) and ruling elders. The elders jointly are responsible for the government and spiritual oversight of the church, including teaching. In conformity to Scripture, the office of elder is open to men only. The office of deacon, too, is an office to be held by godly men and those who hold this office are jointly responsible for leading the mercy ministry of the church. Our Book of Church Order states: “The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of the saints, especially their helping one another in time of need.”

What do deacons do?

The Book of Church Order supplies this helpful summary: “It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation.”

What are the Biblical qualifications?

The Bible is clear about the qualifications of a deacon. Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13 that “deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 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.”

Deacons were first appointed by the Apostles in Acts 6. A problem had arisen in connection with church aid given to some of the widows in the congregation in Jerusalem. The apostles determined that it would be wrong for them to neglect their job as elders, but that the ministry of mercy was also too important to neglect. Thus, we read, “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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:3-6).”

This is why our Book of Church Order says, “To the office of deacon, which is spiritual in nature, shall be chosen men of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly spirit, warm sympathies, and sound judgment.” Thus, to summarize, the Bible identifies godly Christian character, family spiritual leadership, and firm belief in the truth of the Word as indispensable qualifications for the diaconate.

How should I vote?

We elect a man to the office of deacon not because he is popular, or an influential businessman or professional, nor because he is a personal friend.

Rather, we elect a man to the office of deacon because of his godliness and giftedness. So, we prepare to vote by prayerfully considering the nominees in light of the scriptural qualifications and responsibilities. Then we ask ourselves two questions: 1) Does this brother meet the requirements of Scripture for this high office? And 2) does he evidence the abilities to perform the duties of the office?

We hope that you will use this booklet to better prepare for the upcoming election of officers. Remember, your participation in the election of the church officers is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of your church membership at First Presbyterian Church. One of the great strengths of First Presbyterian Church down through the years has been the Christian character and wisdom of its officers. May our God be gracious to grant us His favor again providing a new generation of godly officers.

Procedure

You may vote for all or as many of the nominees as you wish. Up to 20 will be elected. The election will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at a congregational meeting to be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Adults will be dismissed from Sunday School at 10:20 a.m. Parents should pick up their children (ages two through second grade) before the 10:30 meeting. The third-sixth grade students will be dismissed on their own

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When and where will the election be held?
A. The election will be held in the sanctuary of the church at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Q. Can I vote absentee, or must I be present to vote?
A. Communing members must be physically present in the sanctuary to vote. Written ballots will only be distributed at the May 5 election meeting and submitted ballots will only be accepted at the meeting.

Q. Will there be multiple votes or runoffs?
A. No. All voting will be conducted at the May 5 election meeting; there will be no runoffs.

Q. What vote will be required for an deacon nominee to be elected?
A. A majority vote of the communing members present based on the number of ballots submitted will be required for election. To be elected, a nominee must receive an affirmative vote on more than 50% of the received ballots. No nominee may be elected without receiving the requisite majority vote, but because there is a limitation on the number of deacons to be elected as addressed below, receipt of a majority vote does not guarantee election.

Q. How many nominees can I vote for?
A. You may vote for all or as many of the nominees as you wish.

Q. How many deacons will be elected?
A. Twenty (20), provided at least 20 nominees receive the requisite majority vote and there is no tie in the voting at the point where the 20 nominees receiving the most votes is determined. In the event there is such a tie in the voting, all nominees who received the same number of votes at the point of identification of the top 20 will be deemed elected. For example, if five nominees finish tied for 19th, all five of these nominees will be deemed elected which would result in 23 deacons being elected. The nominee finishing next in this hypothetical example after those nominees who tied for 19th does not finish 20th; he finishes 24th and not within the top 20.

Q. Is there Sunday school on this day?
A. Yes. Sunday school will be held from 9:45 to 10:20. Please pick up your children (except from the nursery) promptly at 10:20 to allow all teachers to be in the sanctuary by 10:30.