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Pastor's Page

Posted on June 29, 2007 ...

It has been my responsibility to serve as a deacon in the Baptist faith for well over 40 years, and during that time I have noted many variations in belief and teaching concerning the office and qualifications of both a deacon and a pastor.
Over the past three years I have had the honor to serve as an active deacon at NCBC, and have been humbled at the responsibility you have allowed me to have. This past year I have served as your deacon chairman.
One of the things discussed by the deacons at length these last three years are the NCBC requirements for the office of deacon. While our constitution lists numerous qualifications for the office of deacon, there is no direct reference on the subject of divorce. While a divorced gentleman has never before served as a deacon at our church, each year men who have suffered a failed marriage receive votes during our annual deacon election.
Depending on what translation of scripture you read, 1 Timothy 3:12 says either that a deacon must be the husband of one wife, or husband of but one wife, or faithful to his wife, or be a one woman man. Is that as in bigamy or is it in reference to being married while having a living ex-wife? If a person is divorced but has not remarried is he eligible? If a man was divorced and remarried prior to being saved is he eligible? Must the deacon be married to have the office? What if the deacon's marital status should change while serving as an active deacon? Is he automatically removed from active status? Even Bible scholars and Bible translators disagree on the meaning of this verse. Thus, it is not surprising that individual Baptist churches have differing qualifications and requirements for the office of deacon.
The current active deacons believe this matter is large enough that our entire church body should have input on this issue of qualification in the case of a divorced person. The question is: At North Cleveland Baptist Church should a divorced individual be automatically removed from consideration or are there circumstances when our church may elect a divorced individual as a deacon?
The deacons have requested this matter be brought to the church in a Special Business Meeting at the close of our worship service on Sunday night July 15. At this meeting church members will be given a paper ballot and asked to vote between two statements to insert in our constitution. One statement simply says that a divorced person is not eligible for this office. The other statement says that during our deacon election each member is prayerfully to select and vote his or her own conviction and if the church nominates a divorced person as a deacon, the fact he has been divorced will not automatically disqualify this person in this church.
The deacons desire that this decision be made by the church prior to the annual list being issued in late July for election of nominees to the office of active deacon. In that way this question is about the qualifications and not about any one person who may have been nominated. We ask each member to read your Bible and consult God in prayer about this matter. Then vote your conviction.
Thanks for the concern and respect you give to this important matter. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact one of our active deacons. In Christ, Sam Bettis