Albatross
Our particular church PCA process is presently something like this:
3) Two elders visit the candidate in his home and examine him, and his wife, if married, according to I Timothy 3 attributes. If married, the deacon's wife must consent to her husband standing for election.
I like this part of your process. For a married officer, his wife, his family and himself are one in the same.
Do you know what the elders are looking to discover from the visit?
1 Timothy 3
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Practically, a questionnaire of self-evaluation based on these biblical requirements is used and discussed with the elders, the candidate, and his wife.
-----Added 2/23/2009 at 02:20:03 EST-----
It seems there are a lot of exams and interviews for men who are basically going to be helpers and laborers for the church.
That doesn't bother me but I wonder what would stop a man from simply saying...I will help anywhere, anytime with anything without being an official deacon.
That is what I am going to have to do but I have really enjoyed the classes. It seems every man in church would benefit from the same training.
I am not stirring up trouble or trying to rebel.
I can't serve anyway because my wife does not attend my church
but if I could serve I personally don't know that the calling I feel is anything more than simply a willingness to help in any way.
Reformed Theology has a "high" view of the church because God's Word has a "high" view of the church.
Deacons are not merely "helpers." They are part of the basic governing structure of God's Church, qualified in much the same way as Elders (Bishops, Pastors).
The office of Deacon is a spiritual office. It is perpetual. Once you are a Deacon, you are for life, a recognition of a life-long calling.
Scripture tells those who use the office well receive reward (I Timothy 13).
Deacons, as part of the basic governance appointed for particular churches are examined for exemplary lives and sound doctrine. Many laymen (unordained men and women) assist the Deacons in doing the Lord's Work within the church.
Biblically, there are a few attributes (cf I Timothy 3) for the wife of a Deacon. She is also evaluated because her behavior and reputation will reflect on her husband, and in turn, upon the reputation of our Lord. In addition, she will have to sacrifice so her husband has time to do his duties, and she will sometimes assist her husband in his duties as a Deacon.
While the household standard is not perfection, a Deacon must have his home situation generally biblically well-run.
Many people who do not have the qualification, gifting and calling for office can assist the Deacons, and help in many other ways in Christ's church- that is their spiritual service.
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All office candidates go through a lengthy time of training and assessment. The theology test took 24 hours for my husband to get through (in chunks of time, thankfully!). The congregation then meets to affirm (since when do Presbyterian congregations vote?).
