2026 Deacon Nominations

Fall is almost here, and with it comes the time for deacon nominations at First Baptist. The role of a deacon is critically important in the life, spirit, and future of First Baptist. As you prayerfully consider who God would have you to nominate, prayerfully examine passages such as Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. These Scriptures and others have helped develop the Biblical purpose and qualifications listed below to aid you as you consider who God would lead you to nominate.

• Provide support to the ministerial staff of the church
• Protect the unity of the church by promoting peace and harmony within the church
• Model a Christlike lifestyle to the members of the church and community

• Be men who are filled with the Spirit
• Are of good reputation in the church and community
• Have lives that are marked by prayer and service
• Be fully surrendered to Jesus Christ
• Embrace the authority of Scripture over their lives
• Be known for their pursuit of godliness
• Not be associated with gossip, divisions, factions, or meaningless controversies

In 1 Timothy 3:10, Scripture teaches that even those who meet these qualifications and embrace the three-fold purpose of a deacon ought to be examined. During these personal discussions subjects such as divorce, home life, personal financial management, and personal Biblical beliefs will be discussed on a situation by situation basis. 

Over the next several days, prayerfully consider the Biblical purpose and qualifications of deacons. The church will provide forms for you to nominate someone for consideration beginning on Sunday, September 6 at the Welcome Center in the Commons. Nominations will be received from September 13-27. You may submit up to seven names for consideration, and each man nominated will be considered.

For clarity, the deacon nomination process can be summarized in the following steps:

• A man is nominated by someone during deacon nomination
• A list is compiled of each man who has been nominated
• Each man who has been a follower of Jesus for at least three years and an active member of First Baptist for at least nine months may continue in the nomination process
• Each remaining nominee is contacted by a member of the Deacon Council to determine his willingness to continue in the process
• Each man willing to continue in the process will then be asked to complete a questionnaire. The completed questionnaires will be prayerfully examined by the Senior Pastor and Deacon Council. At this time, a personal interview with the nominee and spouse (if applicable) may be conducted by the Senior Pastor and at least two members of the Deacon Council
• After prayerful consideration of the completed questionnaires and personal interviews, the Senior Pastor and Deacon Council will determine which nominees will be presented to the Deacon Body for consideration
• After being examined and considered by the Deacon Body, the Deacon Body, alongside the Senior Pastor, will determine which nominees will be presented to the church body for approval
• The church body will be notified of the list of deacon candidates no less than two weeks prior to the vote. The church will vote on the list of deacon candidates as a whole by secret ballot on the same date and time as the church votes on the proposed budget for the upcoming year (usually the first Sunday in December)
• Upon approval by the church, newly appointed deacons will begin serving on January 1, and arrangements will be made for any newly appointed deacons who have not been previously ordained
• Deacons will serve a three-year term, after which they rotate into an inactive status for one year to allow for rest and recuperation. After one year in inactive status, the deacon may be renominated for another three-year term