Becoming a Deacon
Serving as a Leadership Team member (Deacon / Trustee)
What is a Deacon?
A Deacon is an elected member of the church’s Leadership Team (Diaconate). The Greek word diákonos means ‘servant’. Their role is to serve, enable and, with the Church Members’ Meeting, govern the church so that we thrive in our God-given mission and ministry.
Up to 12 Deacons plus the Minister(s) together comprise the Leadership Team (Diaconate).
Legal Responsibilities
Because Chester Road Baptist Church is a Registered Charity, each Deacon also serves as a Trustee. This means, as Trustees, Deacons collectively have the overall legal responsibility for all that happens in the name of Chester Road Baptist Church (unincorporated).
Accountability
As a Baptist church, we are congregational. Deacons are elected by the Church Members and operate under delegated authority from the Church Members’ Meeting.
This means Deacons are accountable to God, the Church Membership, and the Charity Commission.
(Scripture)
'For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus' 1 Timothy 3:13
What are the qualifications for a Deacon?
Deacons are members of the spiritual leadership of a church. You won’t be the ‘perfect’ Christian (who is?) but you must have a personal commitment to living as a disciple of Christ. Others will see Christ in you. We positively welcome diversity of age, ethnicity, disability, gender.
To stand as a Deacon, you must:
Have been a member of Chester Road Baptist Church for at least the last 12 months;
Have been regular at Sunday worship and at Church Member Meetings during this time;
Be nominated by 4 Church Members (proposer, seconder, plus 2 others);
Not be under 18 years of age;
Not have been disqualified as a company director;
Not have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (e.g. fraud);
Not be bankrupt, or have a current composition or arrangement including an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) with creditors;
Not have been removed as a trustee of any charity by the Charity Commission (or court).
What’s the commitment?
Deacons serve for a term of three years. (Two consecutive terms can be served before a year break.)
Meet monthly as a Leadership Team (Diaconate) – 1st Thursdays, 7.30-9.00pm;
Pray with and care for people;
Work with the Minister(s) to implement the decisions of the Church Members’ Meeting;
Be active and present at Sunday worship and Church Members’ Meetings;
Participate in sub-groups e.g. Finance, Facilities, HR Risk, Safeguarding;
Take turns to serve as ‘Duty Deacon’ on a Sunday.
Interested?
Great! Paul said, ‘If anyone sets their heart on being an overseer (leader), they desire a noble task.’ [1 Timothy 3:1]
To explore is this is for you:
First, meet with our Minister (Danny Brierley) to talk and pray it through. e: DannyBrierley@ChesterRoadBaptist.org.uk
m: 07840 046020
Maybe, chat informally with one or two of the current Leadership Team to hear their experience;
Finally, contact Church Secretary (Martin Ridal) to register your decision to stand. e: msridal3@gmail.com t: 0121 355 5903