Deacons at Second Baptist
The office of deacon is a sacred one. Deacons are ordained to ministry — set apart to a calling, not simply appointed to a role. Long before a name is brought forward for nomination, God has already been at work in that person: shaping a heart that notices need, a spirit that moves toward people rather than away from them, a willingness to lead and guide others, and a life marked by quiet, faithful care. Deacons are those in our congregation whose calling to serve has become visible over time — not because they sought recognition, but because their love for this church and its people could not stay hidden. Before we describe what a deacon does, we want to name what a deacon is: someone called by God to care for God’s people.
Our church’s constitution names both the qualifications and the expectations that flow from this calling:
A deacon shall be a member of the Church, faithfully support the activities of the Church, possess the scriptural qualifications set forth in Acts 6:3 and First Timothy 3:8-12 and be ordained by the Church, or by another church.
Role and Expectations: Deacons serve as lay ministers in the congregation and serve in cooperation with Church staff and the broader congregation, provide leadership through participation in the life of the Church, offer generous stewardship of time and resources, and faithful prayer over the congregation. Deacons serve to help shepherd the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the congregation; as a visioning body of the Church; lead and serve through service projects; to assist with Communion; and to participate in meetings and retreats as scheduled.
A deacon is:
A servant — someone who serves out of a sense of call, not because they’re seeking a role or reward
Humble — serves quietly and lets the work speak for itself, without needing the title or the credit to keep going
Discerning — able to notice, assess, and respond well to the needs of the community, especially in moments of crisis or conflict
Leads from their giftedness — knows who they are and what they have to offer, and steps forward to guide the congregation from that place
Rooted in this church community — familiar with its people, its rhythms, and its needs
Proven, quietly, over time — their gifts have shown up again and again, in consistent service and presence others have come to appreciate and rely on
Deacon Nomination Process –
Deacons are nominated first by the church at large. Members prayerfully submit nominations to the Ministry Placement Committee for consideration, and the Committee then selects up to five names to present to the diaconate.
The senior pastor meets with each candidate to talk through the role of deacon, answer any questions, and pray with them as they discern the Spirit’s leading. Candidates who wish to be considered for ordination and installation then share their testimony with the diaconate, who prayerfully vote on the slate to be ordained and installed.