DEACON NOMINATIONS
As our church grows, so do our needs. During 2023-2024, we would like to nominate, train, elect, and install our first batch of Deacons. We believe that this is the right time for One Covenant Church to appoint Deacons. We invite Members of One Covenant Church to nominate candidates to the office of Deacon.
What is the role of Deacons?
Deacons are responsible, primarily, for the physical needs of the church. They ensure that such needs are alleviated in the church so that God's people may be liberated to enjoy the salvation and freedom which they have in Jesus Christ.
You can listen to a set of 4 messages on God’s heart for the poor, what the Bible says about serving, the responsibilities and qualifications of the deacon by clicking here.
Schedule
7 May to 30 June
Nomination Period
9 July
Presentation of Nominated Deacon Candidates
15 July to 25 November
Deacon Training
2 to 16 December
Examination and Interview Period
17 December
Presentation of Qualified Deacon Candidates
Election Period Begins
21 January 2024
Election Period Concludes
Presentation of Elected Deacon Candidates
Congregational Meeting
4 February 2024
Ordination and Installation of Deacons
Nomination Period
From 7 May to 30 June
We invite you to consider prayerfully which of your fellow members ought to serve as ordained Deacons.
Who can nominate a candidate for office?
Any Communicant Members in good and regular standing with One Covenant Church is eligible to make a nomination.
What are the qualifications for office?
Each prospective Deacon should be a male communicant in good and regular standing with the church (1 Timothy 2:8, 12-13) who meets the qualifications set forth in Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Here’s a summary of the qualifications for Deacon:
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Of good repute and full of the Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3)
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Worthy of respect as dignified and sincere men (1 Timothy 3:8)
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Upholds the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience as reflected in sound understanding of Scripture and theology (1 Timothy 3:9)
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Demonstrates a credible track record in their service to the church (1 Timothy 3:10)
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Exemplifies a good household testimony (1 Timothy 3:12)
One of the responsibilities of the Session is to confirm the qualifications of candidates, so if you still have some doubts about a candidate after prayerful consideration, go ahead and make the nomination you have in mind.
How should a nomination be made?
Complete the form below to the best of your ability, then click 'Submit.' You can nominate as many candidates as you like, though you should only make a maximum of one nomination for each candidate.
Deacon Training
From 15 July to 25 November
Once we have nominated and approved our candidates, an in-depth training process facilitated by the pastoral team will begin.
Goals:
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To give candidates an opportunity to discern an inward call, and to allow the church to confirm that call,
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To prepare candidates for examination,
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To equip candidates to serve well as ordained officers.
Practical Training
Candidates will receive practical training in the normal responsibilities of Deacons. Emphasis will be placed on how to organise the diaconal ministry in church, as well as identifying the needs of the congregation and proposing appropriate programmes for the diaconate.
Confessional Training
Candidates will complete assigned readings and meet to review and discuss them. The focus is on theology, working through themes from the readings and preparing for examination.
Candidates will read the following:
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The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), the Larger and Shorter Catechisms
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The Book of Church Order (BCO) of One Covenant Church
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Confessing the Faith by Chad van Dixhoorn
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Resources for Deacons by Timothy J. Keller
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Center Church by Timothy J. Keller
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Preparation for Licensure and Ordination by David L. McIntosh Jr.
Examination Period
From 2 to 16 December
Once training is complete, the Session will examine the candidates, focusing on five particular areas.
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Goals:
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To ensure the qualification of each candidate,
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To assess whether the inward call has outward confirmation,
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To present the congregation with qualified candidates for election.
What are candidates examined on?
The Session has the responsibility to conduct an examination for every candidate in the following areas:
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His personal testimony, especially his personal character and administration of his household (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
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His level of Bible knowledge.
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His level of understanding of the doctrinal standards, form of governance, and rules of discipline of the Church.
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The office and responsibilities of the role he is being nominated for, and
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His ability to answer in the affirmative the questions of ordination.
What happens next?
Once the examinations are complete, the Session will announce the roster of qualified candidates who have passed examination. This must take place at least 30 days prior to the actual election.
Election
21 January 2024
On Sunday, 21 January 2024, God-willing, One Covenant Church will hold a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing new Deacons. The goal of this meeting is for the people of One Covenant Church to choose their own Deacons.
Who can vote?
All Communicant Members in good and regular standing with the church are entitled to vote in the election of Deacons.
How many votes are required to elect a Deacon?
Candidates must receive a significant majority (80%) of the vote to be elected.
What if a minority of members opposes an officer’s election?
If in the process of electing Deacons, there is a significant minority who opposes the election results and cannot be convinced to agree to them, the moderator should strive to convince the majority to postpone the implementation of the results of the election. However, if the opinion of the voters is near unanimous or if the majority continues to stand by their decision to elect this officer, the moderator shall declare the call valid. The whole body of the congregation should view the elected Deacon as having been personally called by God from among them.
Ordination and Installation
4 February 2024
On 4 February 2024, the Deacons elected by the congregation will be ordained and installed as part of a special worship service. This is so our Deacons are recognised and launched into their new ministry well.
Each officer will affirm these 6 ordination vows:
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Do you believe that the original manuscripts of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inerrant Word of God and are the only inerrant standard for faith and practice?
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Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession and Catechisms of this church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Bible? And do you promise, after saying your vows of ordination, that at any time you discover you do not agree with any part of this system of doctrine, you will pro-actively inform the local session of your change in doctrinal stance?
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Do you agree that the form of government and church discipline of One Covenant Church is in accordance with the overall principles taught in the Bible regarding the organizational structure of the church?
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Do you agree to receive the office of Deacon of this church? Do you promise to faithfully carry out all your responsibilities and, trusting in the grace of God, do your utmost to glorify the Gospel in your life, and to be an example, compatible with your office, before the church in which God has called you to take up the office?
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Do you promise to submit yourself to the authority of the church assemblies in the Lord?
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Do you promise to work diligently to promote the purity, peace, unity and progress of the church?