CHURCH OFFICER NOMINATIONS
Biblical Roles and Responsibilities of Elders and Deacons
The Lord calls men to serve Him and His church in leadership roles as elders and deacons. The primary qualification for elders and deacons is to be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6, 1 Timothy 3:10). Being “above reproach” obviously does not require sinless perfection, but a demonstrated obedience in all areas of life.
Christ has gloriously designed the leadership infrastructure of the Body of Christ to include pastors (Ephesians 4:11–16), elders (I Timothy 3:1–7) and deacons (Acts 6:1–7 / I Timothy 3:8–13) in the local church. In addition, our Savior has defined the roles and responsibilities of pastors, elders, and deacons in His Word.
Briefly stated, the Senior Pastor, along with the Pastoral Staff, is called to equip the members of the church to grow in grace while ministering faithfully for Christ as they are being discipled under the oversight of the elders/Session. The elders are responsible for “shepherding the flock” (I Peter 5:1–4), overseeing the policies, and the ministry processes. The deacons, under the oversight of the elders, are responsible for the administration, stewardship, and mercy ministries of the church.
The Bible calls the members of the church to “select from among themselves” those leaders whom God has called, gifted and affirmed. Therefore, each year the Briarwood membership and existing leadership engages in this process of nominations, training, examination, election, ordination and installation.
I Timothy 3:1–13
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
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. 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.”
The Lord calls men to serve Him and His church in leadership roles as elders and deacons. The primary qualification for elders and deacons is to be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6, 1 Timothy 3:10). Being “above reproach” obviously does not require sinless perfection, but a demonstrated obedience in all areas of life.
Christ has gloriously designed the leadership infrastructure of the Body of Christ to include pastors (Ephesians 4:11–16), elders (I Timothy 3:1–7) and deacons (Acts 6:1–7 / I Timothy 3:8–13) in the local church. In addition, our Savior has defined the roles and responsibilities of pastors, elders, and deacons in His Word.
Briefly stated, the Senior Pastor, along with the Pastoral Staff, is called to equip the members of the church to grow in grace while ministering faithfully for Christ as they are being discipled under the oversight of the elders/Session. The elders are responsible for “shepherding the flock” (I Peter 5:1–4), overseeing the policies, and the ministry processes. The deacons, under the oversight of the elders, are responsible for the administration, stewardship, and mercy ministries of the church.
The Bible calls the members of the church to “select from among themselves” those leaders whom God has called, gifted and affirmed. Therefore, each year the Briarwood membership and existing leadership engages in this process of nominations, training, examination, election, ordination and installation.
I Timothy 3:1–13
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
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. 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.”
Make Your Church Officer Nominations
The month of April is the time during which nominations are accepted for officer candidates at Briarwood. All nominations must be made by April 30.
To submit qualified nominations, go to briarwood.org/nominations. For help or questions, contact Leigh Ann Reese at 205-776-5301 or lreese@briarwood.org.
To submit qualified nominations, go to briarwood.org/nominations. For help or questions, contact Leigh Ann Reese at 205-776-5301 or lreese@briarwood.org.