Questioning of the Deacon Candidates

A member of the Ordination Council can be selected to ask questions of the candidates. Don’t have too many questions and don’t draw it out too long. If you just have one or two candidates, have each answer each question.

After the questioner has asked his questions, the council is then asked if they have additional questions.

Do this on the platform of the sanctuary so everyone can easily see and hear what’s going on. You may need to have more than one microphone stand or ask someone to speak up so everyone can hear.

As previously mentioned, don’t try to trip them up. Just ask basic questions about Baptist faith and practice.

By this time the pastor and council should know the candidates pretty well. They should know the basics of their answers.

But this gives the congregation a chance to hear the questions and answers. It lets the church know that that these are issues that are important. It gives the church the opportunity to hear the candidates answer the questions in their own words.

Note: Unlike a pastor, a deacon is not required to be able to teach or preach. If a deacon can do so, that is great. Stephen and Philip were preaching deacons. But it is not necessary for him to be a good speaker to serve.

Questions for Deacon Candidates
A few sample questions.

1. Briefly tell us your personal testimony. When did you accept Jesus as your Savior? When and where were you baptized?

2. What do you believe about the importance of the church and your church membership?

3. What do you believe about the Bible?

4. Do you believe personal faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation?

5. What do you believe about missions and evangelism?

6. Are you in agreement with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and the Church Covenant?

7. What do you believe about drinking?  *

8. Do you believe in “Believer’s Baptism by Immersion?”

9. Do you believe in eternal security, or, once a person is truly saved, he is saved forever?

10. Do you believe in tithing?

11. Are the deacons supposed to run the church?
(Hopefully the answer is no. The church is under that authority of Jesus Christ. While deacons will be influential and may make recommendations, the church is to be led by the pastor and the majority vote of the members.)

12. Is there anything else you would like to share with the ordaining council and the church at this time?

NEXT: Deacon Ordination Order of Service; last article in series on deacon ordination.

*  You may be interested in Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Times and other articles on the Bible and alcohol.  Find these other articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).  Click the label for Alcohol. 
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, July 5, AD 2010.