Deacon Ministry Team Details

Nominate men and women Who…

  • Have a good reputation among our church and community

  • Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

  • Are honest,

  • Devoted followers of Jesus,

  • Wise,

  • and who you believe are members of Woodlands church and regularly involved in the church's life.

 Woodlands’ Elder Board proposes the following Bylaw Amendment for consideration at the February 4th, 2024 Family Meeting.

ARTICLE IV. Deacon Board

A. Composition 

Under the elder board, The deacon board shall consist of no less than three eligible members nominated and affirmed by the congregation, who will autonomously fulfill the duties of diaconal ministry in accordance with scripture and by means that are appropriate for the effective ministry to our congregation. The deacon board shall continually seek partnership with the elder board in a spirit of interdependence for the furtherance of the gospel.

B. Nomination and term of service

Members shall be asked to nominate qualified candidates to the elder board in writing at least two weeks before the annual business meeting. The elder board will prayerfully determine if a nominee is qualified and willing to serve as a deacon. Those nominees whom the elders approve will be announced to the membership at least seven days prior to the annual business meeting and be included on the annual business meeting ballot for affirmation.

A deacon or deaconess shall serve a three-year term unless he or she is completing the remainder of an unexpired term. Board members shall be affirmed on a rotating basis so that the terms of approximately one-third of the board will expire each year. No deacon shall serve three consecutive terms but must take a year off before serving for a third term. If a need arises, the elder board may appoint a deacon/deaconess for up to one year. 

C. Qualifications

All deacons and deaconesses shall meet the scriptural qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Acts 6:3, and exhibit Christian virtue found in scripture (1 Corinthians 13:13, Galatians 5:2-23). A nominee must be a member prior to nomination and be in regular fellowship for the previous twelve months. All deacons and deaconesses shall continue in regular fellowship and faithfully perform the duties prescribed in these bylaws in harmony with other board members.

Should a deacon or deaconess fail to meet these qualifications or move from the community during a term of service, he or she may be dismissed at the discretion of the elder board.

D. Duties

The deacon board shall assist the elders in watching over the life of the church, promote unity, support the service ministries to the church, and perform all functions necessary to fulfill these responsibilities, including the following:

  1. Implement church care for the poor, sick, bereaved, or otherwise needy.

  2. Administer benevolence funds generously and without partiality.

  3. Promote participation in the service ministries of the church.

  4. Report monthly to the elder board.

  5. Report no less than annually to the membership during the annual business meeting.