BCO C (Chappell/Meek) Flashcards
What permanent officers has Christ given to his Church?
Christ has given to his Church elders (teaching and ruling) and deacons.
What are the qualifications for an elder? What are his duties? How are ruling and teaching elders alike? How are they different? What is meant by the “parity” of ruling and teaching elders?
The qualifications for an elder include (CBS RASH):
1. Competency of human learning
2. Blamelessness in life
3. Soundness in faith
4. Ruling his own house well
5. Aptness to teach
6. Sobriety and holiness of life
7. Having a good report of those outside the church
An elder has the following duties (OVEN SILC):
1. Oversee the flock (including the local and general church)
2. Visit (especially the sick)
3. Exercise government and discipline
4. Nourish and guard the church’s children
5. Set a worthy example
6. Instruct the ignorant
7. Love and pray with and for people
8. Comfort the mourner
Ruling and teaching elders have identical duties except that teaching elders have special gifting, calling, and training to preach. Teaching elders feed the flock by reading, expounding, and preaching God’s Word and administering the sacraments.
The “parity” of ruling and teaching elders makes clear that there are not two separate classes of elder but one only. Both ruling and teaching elders possess the same authority.
What are the duties of deacons? What are the qualifications for deacons?
Deacons have the following duties (MED C):
1. Ministering (to the needy, sick, friendless, and distressed)
2. Effectively collecting and distributing gifts
3. Developing the grace of liberality in church members
4. Caring for church property
The qualifications for deacons include (HS WEBS):
1. Honest repute
2. Spiritual character
3. Warm sympathies
4. Exemplary lives
5. Brotherly spirit
6. Sound judgment
