Deacon Nominations
NEW DEACON NOMINATIONS | May 5 – 15, 2024
The church constitution sets forth a process for congregational nominations in the selection of new deacons. The office of deacon is not an office of authority but rather of service to the faith community. Men and women may serve as deacons at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City.
GUIDELINES:
- Members of First Baptist Church only may nominate and subsequently vote on deacon candidates.
- Each member may turn in one nomination form or complete one online nomination form. The online form is linked below beginning May 5, 2024. Paper forms will be available at the Welcome Desk on May 5 and 12 and in the church office. To request a paper nomination form, email Mary Huhn or call 573.634.3603.
- Each member may list one or more nominees for consideration on his or her form.
- Paper forms may be placed in the Nomination Box at the Welcome Desk in the church lobby or mailed/dropped off at the church office from May 5 through May 15, 2024.
- You may view a listing of those men and women who already serve as deacons here. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE THEIR NAMES ON YOUR NOMINATION SHEET.
- Please prayerfully read the qualifications for deacons in Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Acts 6:1-7: Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” 5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (NRSVUE)
1 Timothy 3:8-13: The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it. They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things. Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on. No exceptions are to be made for women—same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine. Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs. Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith. (The Message)
NOMINATE DEACON CANDIDATES
To request a paper nomination form, email Mary Huhn or call 573.634.3603.
To complete an online form, click here.
DEACON ELECTION TIMELINE
April 1 – 11: Pastor, Deacon Chair meet with Enlistment Committee Chair regarding process.
April 15 – 26: Enlistment Committee meets to review process and prepare Deacon Nomination Form.
May 5: Lead Pastor shares in service on deacon service and qualifications.
May 5 – May 15: Members nominate deacon candidates.
May 19 – May 31: Pastor, Enlistment Committee, and Deacon Chair meet to review candidates.
June 1 – June 14: Enlistment Committee Members contact deacon candidates.
June 15 – July 15: Potential candidates consider and return forms.
August 11: New Deacon election at Quarterly Business Meeting.
September – October: Pastor, Deacon Chair, and Chair Elect meet with newly elected deacons.
November ?: Deacon Ordination, Sunday evening, 6 pm (This date will depend on the availability of the newly elected Deacons. TBD in August.)