Leadership

Following are the qualifications, roles and responsibilities of elders, deacons and deaconesses at Cornerstone Church:

ELDERS

QUALIFICATIONS
- Personal – Elders must be:
  - Above reproach – 1 Timothy 3.2; Titus 1:6-7
  - A “one-woman man” – 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6 (i.e. not have eyes for other women)
  - Temperate, self controlled – 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6
  - Prudent, sensible, and just – 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
  - Respectable – 1 Timothy 3:2
  - Hospitable – 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
  - Gifted to teach – 1 Timothy 3:2
  - Not addicted to wine – 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
  - Non-contentious – 1 Timothy 3:3
  - Free from the love of money – 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
  - Not a novice – 1 Timothy 3:6
  - Has a good reputation with unbelievers – 1 Timothy 3:7
  - Not self-willed – Titus 1:7
  - Not quick-tempered – Titus 1:7
  - Loves what is good – Titus 1:8
  - Devout – Titus 1:8
  - Holds fast to sound thinking – Titus 1:9
  - Exhorts others to sound thinking – Titus 1:9
  - Refutes those not holding to sound doctrine – Titus 1:9
- Family – Elders must be:
  - A husband, or a man who manages his household well – 1 Timothy 3:4
  - One who manages his children well – 1 Timothy 3:4
The demand for elders in the New Testament shows the importance of the home. Good service will render a respect and confidence from the congregation, and will also give confidence to yourself, knowing that you’ve done your best in the strength of God.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Elders are responsible to oversee the spiritual ministries and needs of the church. Their primary areas of ministry are to minister the Word of God faithfully and to devote themselves to an active prayer ministry (Acts 6:4) and properly administer the ordinance of communion.
- God’s Word also calls elders to shepherd the flock voluntarily and with eagerness. They are thus to minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of believers. They are called upon to do this by way of example and in a sacrificial manner if necessary.

DEACONS

QUALIFICATIONS
- Personal – Deacons must be:
  - Men of dignity – 1 Timothy 3:8
  - Not double tongued – 1 Timothy 3:8
  - Not addicted to much wine – 1 Timothy 3:8
  - Not fond of sordid gain – 1 Timothy 3:8
  - Holds to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience – 1 Timothy 3:9; Acts 6:3
  - Exemplifies a consistent spiritual life-style – 1 Timothy 3:10
  - A “one woman man” – 1 Timothy 3:12 (i.e. not have eyes for other women)
- Family – Deacons must be:
  - A husband, or man, who manages his household well – 1 Timothy 3:12
  - One who manages his children well – 1 Timothy 3:12
The demand for deacons in the New Testament shows the importance of the home. For the deacon, it is not to illustrate leadership ability as much as to exemplify the nature of the deacon’s Christian walk. Good service will render a respect and confidence from the congregation and will also give confidence to yourself knowing that you’ve done your best in the strength of God.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Scripture is clear that the primary responsibility of deacons is to tend to the physical needs of the congregation. In Acts 6:1-6 we see the first deacons elected and their task was to see to the physical needs of widows. On the basis of this principle, the deacons are responsible for the financial and physical needs as they arise in the body of Christ.

DEACONESS

QUALIFICATIONS
- Personal
  - Worthy of respect – 1 Timothy 3:11
  - Not a malicious talker – 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3
  - Temperate in all things – 1 Timothy 3:11
  - Trustworthy in all things – 1 Timothy 3:11
  - Reverent in the way she lives – Titus 2:3
  - Not addicted to too much wine – Titus 2:3
  - Sensible – Titus 2:5
  - Self-controlled and pure – Titus 2:5
  - Kind – Titus 2:5
  - Able to teach and train other women – Titus 2:3-5
  - Knowledgeable about what is good – Titus 2:3
- Family
  - Concern for the entire family’s well being
  - Submissive to husbands
  - Love their husbands
  - Love their children
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the women’s spiritual ministries (Titus 2:3-5)
- Oversee the church nursery
- Oversee the social committee
- Oversee the care of those sick or hospitalized
- Assist elders with communion preparation
- Oversee the serving of refreshments during the fellowship time of worship services
- Oversee special events in the life of the church
  - Weddings
  - Funerals
  - Farewells
  - Conferences