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Deacons

JoeKan

Member
Our church constitution states that a deacon has to roll off after three years. They have to be off for at least one year before they can be voted back on. I remember discussing this with our deacon board many years ago but didn't have it becasue at the time, we really didn't have qualified men to replace the one(s) rolling off. Now we do.
What are your thoughts on this? Advantage/disadvantage?
Anything else?
Thanks,
Joe
 

Rob_BW

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our bylaws mimic y'all's. We try to keep a pretty full slate of deacons, since assigned family care is a big focus of ours. We stick with rotating men off, so as to avoid burn out. But still on occasion have trouble finding replacements. We also have a more transient population, so must deal with higher than usual turnover, though oftentimes we have old members come back after a few years away. Still, we seek qualified men only, even if they are sometimes hard to find.
 

TCassidy

Late-Administator Emeritus
Administrator
Deacons were nominated by the pastoral staff with the consent of the man and the congregation.

They were elected for a 3 year term after which then could be re-elected as often as the congregation kept voting for them.
 

OnlyaSinner

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Deacons serve one-year terms at our church, following nomination from members and approval by elders to be presented for election by membership at the first (and most comprehensive) of our tri-annual business meetings.. Each year that one is nominated/approved, he is questioned by the elders about a calling and willingness to serve. There's no "term limits", nor onus should a non sin-related life situation cause a man to decline candidacy.
 

Revmitchell

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our church constitution states that a deacon has to roll off after three years. They have to be off for at least one year before they can be voted back on. I remember discussing this with our deacon board many years ago but didn't have it becasue at the time, we really didn't have qualified men to replace the one(s) rolling off. Now we do.
What are your thoughts on this? Advantage/disadvantage?
Anything else?
Thanks,
Joe

My thought is that it is a good practice. How long they serve is not given in scripture but what is is their role. If deacons are acting like church administrators then you have a bigger problem.
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our church constitution states that a deacon has to roll off after three years. They have to be off for at least one year before they can be voted back on. I remember discussing this with our deacon board many years ago but didn't have it becasue at the time, we really didn't have qualified men to replace the one(s) rolling off. Now we do.
What are your thoughts on this? Advantage/disadvantage?
Anything else?
Thanks,
Joe
We have that same policy for the Elders also!
 

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
We have that same policy for the Elders also!

Is your pastor considered an Elder ?
If so, does he only serve for three years?

If not, why shouldn't Elders or Deacons serve an indefinite term?
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Is your pastor considered an Elder ?
If so, does he only serve for three years?

If not, why shouldn't Elders or Deacons serve an indefinite term?
pastor is the senor Elder, so life long exemption!
 

rlvaughn

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our church constitution states that a deacon has to roll off after three years. They have to be off for at least one year before they can be voted back on. I remember discussing this with our deacon board many years ago but didn't have it becasue at the time, we really didn't have qualified men to replace the one(s) rolling off. Now we do.
What are your thoughts on this? Advantage/disadvantage?
Anything else?
Thanks,
Joe
In the area and among the churches I was raised, deacons were typically chosen for life, and it is an ordained office. I am aware of some large churches that elected churches annually, and I don't think they ordained them (if I am remembering correctly).

The advantages seems to be someone looking at this as a practical matter -- perhaps (1) to spread the work around, and (2) to keep some from establishing too much power. The disadvantages seems to be that it is devised for practical purposes without scriptural reasoning (although perhaps you have it in the constitution and just didn't mention it)
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
In the area and among the churches I was raised, deacons were typically chosen for life, and it is an ordained office. I am aware of some large churches that elected churches annually, and I don't think they ordained them (if I am remembering correctly).

The advantages seems to be someone looking at this as a practical matter -- perhaps (1) to spread the work around, and (2) to keep some from establishing too much power. The disadvantages seems to be that it is devised for practical purposes without scriptural reasoning (although perhaps you have it in the constitution and just didn't mention it)
I think that we do it to keep the leadership fresh, and to also allow for others who are also qualified to lead now!
 

Rob_BW

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
As many posts that I recall where people speak about 1 or 2 families having ironclad control over a church, I reckoned rotating leadership would be favored.
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
As many posts that I recall where people speak about 1 or 2 families having ironclad control over a church, I reckoned rotating leadership would be favored.
Yes, as we have all seen the results of "yes men" on the church board!
 

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
As many posts that I recall where people speak about 1 or 2 families having ironclad control over a church, I reckoned rotating leadership would be favored.

Would that include positions such as treasures, clerk, and ect
 

Rob_BW

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Would that include positions such as treasures, clerk, and ect
Our secretary is paid staff, so rotating someone off of their job wouldn't be ideal.

No treasure, just a finance committee. We try to encourage rotation in and out of committee assignments.
 

JoeKansas

New Member
I'm the original OP but I lost my password and since then had my email changed because it got hacked. But , we ordain our deacons. Can they still be on a 3 year rotation if though they were ordained?
Thanks,
Joe
 
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