ARTICLE VII: Deacons/Deaconess

Section 1. Qualifications. The deacons shall be men who are members and who possess the qualifications described in 1 Tim. 3:8-13. A deacon shall be beyond reproach, a man of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to wine, not fond of sordid gain, one who holds to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, a good manager of his children and household, and the husband of a wife who is dignified, not a malicious gossip, but temperate and faithful. Any man called to this office must be able to conscientiously affirm his agreement with our Statement of Faith and this constitution. Should he at any time change his convictions respecting these standards, he is under moral obligation to make this fact known to the elders.

Section 2. Duties. Christ, the Head of His Church, has instituted the diaconate as an aid to the people of God in general. While the office of deacon is a serving rather than a governing office, God has promised special blessings to those who serve well as deacons. Deacons are responsible to administer the ordinary business, secular affairs and benevolent concerns of the Church so the elders may devote themselves without distraction to the biblical priorities of their office. Deacons must fulfill the duties of their office in cooperation with and under the oversight of the elders.

Section 3. Number of Deacons and Tenure of Office. The number of deacons shall not be fixed. The church shall select as many as are needed for the work to be done from among the men who give evidence of having the biblical qualifications for the office.

Section 4. Nomination. The nomination of deacons shall be done in the same manner as for the elders as set forth in Article VI.5. of this constitution.

Section 5. Candidacy, Examination & Recognition. The candidacy of deacons shall be done in the same manner as for elders as set forth in Article VI.6. of this constitution except they shall be examined according to the qualifications in 1 Tim. 3:8-13 instead of Article VI.1. of this constitution. After having served above reproach the elders will present the candidate(s) to the church at a regular worship meeting. This will be his official installation into the office which shall be conferred for life, so long as he is able to serve and continues to manifest the qualifications of the office.

Section 6. Discipline of Deacons. The discipline of deacons shall be the same as set forth in Article VI.9. of this constitution.

Section7. Termination of Office.

Paragraph A. Reasons for Termination. While the reasons given below are sufficient for termination of office, whether or not an individual leaves or is removed from the diaconate is at the discretion of the elders.

(1) Voluntary Resignation. A deacon may resign his office if for good and valid reason he finds he is no longer able to discharge the duties of it with a good conscience.

(2) Non-culpable Incompetence. In cases where the elders determine that a deacon is no longer competent to fulfill all the duties of his office, by reason of infirmities not of themselves culpable, they shall explain their concerns to him and obtain his resignation.

(3) Church Discipline. A deacon may be removed from office through church discipline according to Section 6 of this Article.

Paragraph B. Implications of Termination. The implications of termination are the same for deacons as set forth in Article VI.10.B.1., 2. and 3.

Section 8. Fees and Compensation. Deacons (as such) as well as any elder appointed councils and committees shall not receive any stated or fixed salary for their services. However, nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Deacon, council or committee member from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation. Any person receiving compensation directly or indirectly from Newtown Bible Church shall not be in a position to determine the nature or amount of said compensation.