Recently, I met with the four new nominees to be ordained as deacons of First Baptist Church. At the conclusion of the meeting, I reflected on our time together. I remarked to several people about their “good hearts,” their desire to “serve God,” and their interest in being “servants of the church.”

Soon, we will begin the year long process of looking for twelve or more men to nominate as deacons for 2016-2017. We want to ask you to help us. Would you give us recommendations for the coming year? If you do so, we will consider their names along with others recommended to us. We will pray over them and consider their suitability to become spiritual leaders of First Baptist Church.

You may make the nominations in writing to me, a member of the pastoral staff, Lionel Adams (our deacon chairman for 2015), or by dropping off the names in the church office.

What are we looking for in deacons?

First, we are looking for people who fulfill biblical qualifications. Please read Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. No one is perfect but we as much as possible want to follow God’s direction for deacons. If you want an example of how significant deacons are read the story of one of the first deacons in Acts 6:8-7:60.

Second, we are looking for people with spiritual depth who are continuing to grow as believers. Our church can go only as far as those who lead. Please look for those who exhibit Christian virtues and who are seeking to become like Christ.

Third, we are looking for people with good hearts and servant spirits. As much as anything, a deacon should be a person who takes on the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11) by  living in humility and selflessness.

Finally, we are looking for people who will protect and defend the unity of the church. Our church by-laws call deacons to “zealously guard and promote unity of spirit and bonding through Christ within the church.”

We all want to go to a church which is healthy and follows biblical principles. That cannot happen if the leaders of the church do not live in such a way.

Please nominate such men and encourage those who live this way.