Deacon Application

PLEASE READ OUR CORE DOCTRINES & THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES AND FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW

Core Doctrines

GOD
We believe in one God eternally existing as one essence and three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, each of whom is fully God, equal in power and glory.

BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.

CREATION AND PROVIDENCE
We believe that God created the world from nothing and is sovereign over all things at all times in all places.

HUMANITY
We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God and possesses intrinsic dignity, beauty, and worth.

SIN
We believe that sin has broken all things, leaving each person and the world in desperate need of restoration and salvation.

SALVATION
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone.

THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ sent into the world to be the living proof of a loving God.

THE FUTURE
We believe that Jesus Christ is returning to the world in the future to judge the living and the dead, consummate His Kingdom and make all things new.
The following theological distinctives reflect some of what might distinguish Fellowship Nashville from other churches who would affirm the same basic doctrines. These distinctives indelibly shape the way that Fellowship Nashville is led and the direction the church is headed. We do not expect all members to embrace all aspects of these distinctives, but covenant members should expect that the distinctives will be maintained in all ministry environments at Fellowship Nashville, and covenant members may not teach contrary to them.

Theological Distinctives

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN SALVATION
The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God. Before the foundation of the world, God elected His people, setting His affection and grace upon them (Rom. 8:29-30). In love God predestined His people for adoption (Eph. 1:4-6). Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast. Apart from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of his own accord to worship God and pursue righteousness (Rom. 3; Eph. 2:1-3). God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God.

COMPLEMENTARY GENDER ROLES
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the church. Men and women are both expected to lead; however, the office of elder is entrusted to qualified men who are held accountable to God for their servant leadership (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1).

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church. Some gifts of the Holy Spirit, however, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of miraculous healing, were given to certain individuals as authenticating signs for the early church (Acts 8:14; 10:44-48; 11:15-18; 19:1-6) and not as final evidence of God’s presence in a believer’s life nor as confirmations of a “second blessing” or subsequent filling of the Spirit. Furthermore, we believe the gift of tongues in the New Testament always presents itself as a known language (Acts 2:6-13).

BAPTISM BY IMMERSION
The precedent we find in the New Testament is baptism following conversion by immersion into water. Baptism by immersion is meant to symbolically depict the believer’s real union to Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-14).

Name

First Name

Last Name

Do you have questions about any of these beliefs or would you like to have anything clarified?

Yes

Comments:

Do you have any hesitations about strongly affirming these beliefs?

Yes

Comments:

Are there other areas of doctrine that you have questions about or that are of particular importance to you?

Yes

Comments:

1. Briefly describe your family of origin, noting any key events that have helped to shape you.

2. What is your salvation story?

3. Give some examples of how you have seen God working in your life.

4. Give insight into your devotional life and how you pursue Christ.

5. How are you currently ministering to others?

6. What is your understanding of the purpose of the church, and how would you describe a “healthy” church?

7. What is your understanding of the role of the diaconate in the church?

Acts 6:1-7 [1] Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. [2] And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. [3] Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. [4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” [5] And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (ESV)

8. As you look at the passage above, what are some ways the diaconate helps bring unity to the church and fulfill its essential ministries? What was the result?

1 Timothy 3:8–13 [8] Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives (aka “the women”) likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

9. Which of the qualities from the passage above seem to be your strengths? Which qualities may need some attention?

10. What do you believe to be your strengths related to leadership in the local church? What are your spiritual gifts and natural abilities/passions, and how have these been affirmed?

11. In what ways can you envision God using your spiritual gifts, natural abilities and experience as a deacon or deaconess at Fellowship Nashville?

Deacon Application

PLEASE READ OUR CORE DOCTRINES & THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES AND FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW

Core Doctrines

Theological Distinctives

WE ARE

A gospel-centered church in the city, for the city, and seeking a city above.

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521 McIver Street, Nashville, TN 37211