Evangelical Presbyterian Church
of Elkton
Deacon Plan
March, 2015
EPC Elkton Deacon Ministry1
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Elkton Deacon Ministry
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Elkton will launch a deacon ministry in 2015. To begin this ministry, the Session has formed a Nominating Committee consisting of Ruling Elder Keith Long, chair, Ruling Elder Jim Brown, and active member Becky Kober. After the Nominating Committee presents the 6 potential Deacons to Session, there will be a called congregational meeting for the purpose of electing each class of Deacons, similar to the election of Ruling Elders. Then, during one of our regular worship services we will ordain and install the newly elected Deacons.
The Deacon ministry will begin with 6 deacons serving on a rotational system. Each class will consist of 2 deacons. The first class of deacons will serve one year. The second class of deacons will serve 2 years. The third class of deacons will serve 3 years. Thereafter, each class will serve a 3-year term, with two deacons rotating off and two coming on. After a deacon has served their 3-year term, they will be off for one year, then they may be nominated to serve again.
The Elkton EPC Deacon ministry will be a ministry of care and compassion, a ministry of service, consisting of both men and women. The Deacon ministry will assist in extending compassion to our widows/widowers, shut-ins, those dealing with recent loss, etc. This compassion ministry will encompass things like assisting with visitation, helping prepare funeral meals, and reaching out to those who are hurting. The Deacon ministry will also be assisting in caring for our facilities. The Deacons will aid in coordinating and planning workdays, setting up for special services, general building maintenance, etc. The Deacon ministry will be a great place to serve for those who are called to this “care and compassion” type of ministry, this “service” type of ministry.
Scripture Related to Deacon Ministry
The Greek term for “deacon” is often translated to “servant” in the New Testament.
Matt. 23:11 - The greatest among you shall be your servant.
John 12:26 - If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Mark 10:43 - But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
1 Cor. 3:5 - What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
Rom. 16:1 - I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.
Deacons Ordained by the Apostles
Acts 6:1-6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 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 of 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.
Qualifications of Deacons
1 Tim. 3:8-13Deacons 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. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 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.
Deacon Ministry Responsibilities
Quarterly meetings – January meeting (Saturday morning) with Elders focusing on leadership training and yearly planning; March meeting planning for workday; August meeting planning for workday and budgeting for following year; November meeting reviewing year and planning for coming year (visitation ministry, care of sick and elderly) and plan for upcoming meeting w/ Elders.
Mowing – coordinate mower maintenance; purchase gas for mowing; coordinate with individuals who mow; if necessary line up contracted service to mow
Snow removal – maintain snow blower; coordinate snow removal during winter months (including sidewalks and parking lots);purchase chemicals necessary for ice melt, etc.
Workdays – coordinate workdays, including planning for projects, recruiting help, purchasing necessary items, etc. (all in coordination with Associate Pastor)
Ongoing maintenance of building and grounds (ie. Changing light bulbs, minor repairs, getting estimates for contracted services, etc.)
Coordinating the Ushers for the offering and opening and closing the church building (including working with the Greeter ministry)
Shut-ins – ministry to shut-ins including visitation and assisting with communion; checking on shut-ins on a regular basis (assist with nursing home and hospital visitation)
Widows/widowers visitation quarterly (inform associate pastor when setting up these visits)
Funeral meal coordination
Book of Government Regarding Deacon Ministry
2-1 The government of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church shall be Presbyterian in form.Thisis government by Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders meeting in representativeassemblies called Church Courts.
A. These Church Courts, in their ascending order, are the Session, the Presbytery, and theGeneral Assembly.
B. Churches may also elect Deacons, but the Board of Deacons is not a Church Court.
2-4Review and Control
A. For orderly process of Review and Control, each organizational unit shall submit itsminutes to the Church Court above. The Board of Deacons shall submit its minutes at least semi-annually to the Session; the Session shall submit its minutes to the Presbyteryannually; the Presbytery shall submit its minutes to the General Assembly annually.
6-4 The local church has the right to determine whether or not it shall have a Board of Deacons.
9-1 Offices
The Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ, has given three offices to the Church. These are:
Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons. In higher courts, Teaching and Ruling Elders arealso known as Presbyters or Commissioners and share in the governing of the Church. These offices are not indications of special pre-eminence by those who hold them, but rather indicatea call to service, to ministry, to special discipleship and the evidencing of the fruit of the Spiritin every part of life.
9-2 Ordination of women
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church believes that the issue of the ordination of women is not an essential of the faith. Since people of good faith who equally love the Lord and hold to the infallibility of Scripture differ on this issue, and since uniformity of view and practice is not essential to the existence of the visible church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has chosento leave this decision to the Spirit guided consciences of local churches concerning theordination of women as Ruling Elders and Deacons, and to the presbyteries concerning theordination of women as Teaching Elders.
9-12 The office of Deacon
The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, concern for needs, and of serving others. Therefore, the first duty of the Deacon is sympathy and service. Historically, tothis office has been given the duty of being the Church’s instrument for the ministry of compassion.
9-13 The life of the Deacon
According to Scripture, those who bear the office of Deacon should be mature believers, led by the Holy Spirit, who exhibit a manner of life that conforms to the biblical description of an officer in Christ’s Church.
9-14 The responsibilities of the Deacon
Since the Board of Deacons is not a court of the Church, and since it is under the authority of the Session, the Session may assign special duties appropriate to that office. Such duties mayinclude the care, maintenance, and preparation of the church and its facilities.
9-15 Term of service of Ruling Elders and Deacons
While ordination is for life, active service on a church Session or Board of Deacons may be for a specified term. A local church, at a duly constituted congregational meeting, may elect to establish limited terms of service for either or both Ruling Elders and Deacons. If so, thefollowing stipulations apply:
A. Terms shall be for no less than three years except to initiate the system or to fill vacancies.
B. There must be at least three classes; and an officer who has served all or part of twoconsecutive full terms shall be ineligible for reelection for one year.
9-17 Recognizing the ordination of Elders and Deacons from other congregations
A Session may recognize the ordination of a person being received by transfer from anotherEPC or Reformed congregation. Such recognition gives the person the status of an officer notcurrently serving on the Session or Board of Deacons. The Session should assure itself byadequate training and examination that such a person affirms the vows of office within theEPC. Under no circumstances should the Session recognize the ordination of a person who hasbeen removed from office.
10-3 Calling must always be to a specific task. A local church must call a Ruling Elder or Deaconfrom within its membership to office in that church. A Teaching Elder must be called by a local church, Church Court, or some specific agency to a particular task deemed appropriate by the ordaining, installing, or approving Presbytery. Retired Teaching Elders may be received fromother Reformed denominations as Associate Members without a call.
10-10 The Calling of Ruling Elders and Deacons by a local church
When a local church desires to call Ruling Elders and Deacons, the following procedures shallordinarily be followed:
A. The congregation may nominate and elect its Ruling Elders and Deacons by any procedureit desires to establish.
B. Should a Nominating Committee be used, the congregation will include among thoseelected to the committee at least two active Elders, one of whom shall be appointed by the Session as chairman. The Session shall call congregational meetings as needed for this purpose.
11-3 Preparation for Ruling Elders and Deacons
A. Those who serve well must be prepared for such service, and it is the responsibility of theSession to provide adequate opportunity for those elected to office to prepare themselvesfor their ministry.
B. The Session shall make provision for courses of instruction in the following matters:
Church government, the Sacraments, the Faith of the Church, the Worship of the Church,the Discipline of the Church, the History of the Church, and an understanding of the officeto which one is elected.
12-1 Prior to approving a Candidate for ordination as a Teaching Elder or as a Ruling Elder or Deacon, it is important for the ordaining court to assure itself of the competency of theindividual being ordained to serve. Therefore, certain examinations should be made.
12-6 The examination of a Candidate for Ruling Elder or Deacon
The Session shall confer with each person elected to office in the local church to determine if that person feels called to office and is willing to serve faithfully. The Session shall examinecandidates for ordination to the office of Ruling Elder or Deacon on 1) personal experience ofthe saving grace of God in Jesus Christ and progress in spiritual growth, 2) theology andSacraments of the Church, 3) the government, discipline, worship, and history of the Church,and 4) an understanding of the office to which one is elected.
12-7 The examination of a previously ordained Ruling Elder or Deacon
A. Those previously ordained into the office to which one has been called shall be examinedby the Session on views of those subjects set forth for ordination. Each shall also give testimony of the personal experience of the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ andprogress in spiritual growth.
B. Those ordained to corresponding offices in other Reformed denominations shall be examined by the Session as one being ordained. Upon successful examination, previous ordination shall be recognized. The act of ordination shall not be repeated.
13-1 The Ordination and Installation of Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons
A. Teaching Elders
1. Ordinarily, the ordaining/installing Presbytery will appoint an administrative commission to conduct a worship service at a date and time approved by the Court.A sermon suitable to the occasion shall be preached. The person presiding shall recountthe conditions necessary for ordination and/or installation, the solemnity of the event,and its importance in the life of the Church.
2. Presbyteries may also directly ordain a Teaching Elder.
B. Ruling Elders and Deacons
Ordinarily, the Session will ordain Ruling Elders and Deacons at a regular or special service of worship. The person presiding, normally the Moderator of Session, shallrecount the conditions necessary for ordination and/or installation, the solemnity of theevent, and its importance in the life of the Church.
13-2 Administration of vows and questions
A. Ordination vows
The person presiding shall administer the following ordination vows for those beingordained and for those coming into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church from some otherdenomination:
1. Do you reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior?
2. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God,totally trustworthy, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, the supreme, final, and the onlyinfallible rule of faith and practice?
3. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith and theCatechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the HolyScriptures?
4. Do you promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with the system ofdoctrine as taught in the Scriptures and as contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church you will, on your own initiative, make knownto your Presbytery the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow?
5. Do you affirm and adopt the “Essentials of Our Faith” without exception?
6. Do you subscribe to the government and discipline of the Evangelical PresbyterianChurch?
7. Do you promise subjection to your fellow Presbyters in the Lord?
8. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of theholy Ministry from love to God and a sincere desire to promote His glory in the gospelof His Son?
9. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in promoting the truths of the gospel and thepurity and peace of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto youon that account?
B. Installation vows:
The person presiding shall administer the following installation vows for those beinginstalled to office in an EPC congregation:
1. Will you seek to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as a Christianand a Teaching Elder/Ruling Elder/Deacon, whether personal, or interpersonal, privateor public; and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the gospel inyour manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before the congregation ofwhich God is making you overseer?
2. Are you now willing to accept the call of this church as Pastor/Associate Pastor/RulingElder/Deacon, and, relying upon God for strength, promise to discharge to it the duties required of that office?
C. Questions to the congregation
When the person being ordained has responded affirmatively to these vows, the personpresiding shall address the following questions to the congregation:
1. Are you, the members of this congregation ready to receive ______asyour (name of office to which the person is being ordained/installed)?
2. Do you promise to submit to ______in matters of spiritual discipline, andto receive with humility and love the word of truth?
3. Do you promise to support ______(name) with your prayers, to giveencouragement and assistance in every way as ______(name) seeks to instructyou in the things of the Lord and to lead you in the building of the Kingdom of God inthis place?
4. Do you commit yourselves to fulfill the terms of the call you have extended and tomake provision for ______(name) needs that the name of Christ might beglorified?
13-3 The Act of Ordination
A. Following the congregation’s affirmation, those being ordained shall kneel and members ofthe ordaining court or Commission shall lay hands on the Ordinand(s).