Section 1. Duties and Authority

Deacons shall have the duty of assisting the Elders in the performance of their responsibilities in such areas as the Board of Elders may direct. They shall have only such authority as the Elders give them for any Specific duty.

Section 2. Qualifications

Candidates For the office of Deacon must be men who meet the qualifications laid down in 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 6 which view them as living as becomes the Gospel, being of good reputation within the community and setting an example of spiritual leadership in their families. Nominees must be members of this church for three months prior to the date of the election, must be willing to invest their time and energies in serving the church, and be in agreement with the CONSTITUTION and STATEMENT OF FAITH.

Section 3. Selection

At least one month prior to the annual business meeting or special meeting called For the election of Deacons, the Elders shall invite the membership to submit names of nominees in writing to the Elders. With the solicitation of nominations, it would be appropriate for the Pastor to remind the membership of the responsibility they have to select Deacons on the basis of the Biblical qualifications. No nominations shall be received less than two weeks prior to the election. The Elders shall ascertain whether the nominees are willing to serve as Deacons, abide by the CONSTITUTION and are in agreement with the STATEMENT OF FAITH. The list of nominees shall be announced to the congregation at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the election is held.

Prior to the election, the members shall have the privilege of examining the nominees. At the annual business meeting the members shall vote to determine which of the nominees they desire to have serve them. Each member may vote for as many nominees as there are vacancies to fill. Then the number of candidates which correspond to the number of vacancies, with the most votes, shall be submitted to a second vote to determine whether seventy-five percent (75%) of the members acknowledges them as men who meet the qualification laid down for the Deacons. If one of the men is disapproved, then the nominee receiving the next highest number of votes shall be voted upon for approval. Vacancies do not have to be filled if the members do not acknowledge enough men to be qualified.

The term of office shall be two years. Deacons may succeed themselves and shall be considered automatically re-nominated. He must receive the same seventy-five percent (75%) approval as new members.

Section 4. Meetings

The Board of Deacons shall meet regularly once a month at such time and place as it may select. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman when appropriate. A quorum for the transaction of Board business shall be a majority of its membership. The Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall be notified in advance by any member who will be unable to attend a meeting of the Board.

The Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall be selected from the membership of the Board. The term of office shall be one year and the selection will be made at the first regularly scheduled meeting following the annual church business meeting. The Chairman may succeed himself.