TO BE OR NOT TO BE.

1st Timothy chapter 3 The saying is true and irrefutable: If any man eagerly seeks the office of Bishop that is a superintendent or overseer He desires an excellent task. Now a bishop or superintendent overseer must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife circumspect and temperate and self-controlled he must be sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly disciplined life he must be hospitable which means showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners and be a capable qualified teacher. Not given to Wine not combative but gentle and considerate not quarrelsome but for bearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money meaning having an insatiable appetite for wealth and ready to obtain it by question remains. He must rule is own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful. For a man does not know how to rule is on household how is he to take care of the Church of God? He must not be a new convert, or he may develop a clouded and stupid state of mind as a result of pride being blinded by conceit and fall into the condemnation that the devil once did. Reference Isaiah chapter 14 vs 12 thru 14. Furthermore they must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church. Lest he become involved in slander and incur approach and fall into the devil's trap. In like manner the Deacons must be worthy of respect, not shifty and double talkers but sincere and what they say not given to much wine not greedy for base gain which means craving wealth and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods of getting it. They must possess the mystic secret of the faith which means Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men. With a clear conscience. And let them also be tried and investigated and proved 1st then if they turn out to be above reproach let them serve as deacons. The women likewise must be worthy of respect and serious not gossipers but temperate and self-controlled thoroughly trustworthy in all things. Let deacons be husbands of but one wife, and let them manage their children and their own households well. For those who perform well as deacons acquire a good standard for themselves and also gained much confidence and freedom and boldness in the faith which is founded on in Christ Jesus. I must say way too many men do not pray and study these first 13 vs of the third chapter of 1st Timothy. Seems like a pretty tall task for any man, but it can be done. I feel these are not just prequalifications for being a deacon but qualifications that must continue throughout this person's life as they serve as a deacon. I'm sure the Apostle Paul knew there's no perfect man, but these are the points that we all should look for in selecting a deacon. And I must add.... To keep a deacon a deacon!