| Deacon / Deaconess - In many churches deacons and deaconesses work closely with the church board and Pastor(s) to assist with the church's physical properties, finances, legal matters, and member needs. Deacons are the backbone of the church's physical and emotional support. Each congregation needs to define precisely what the deacon's and responsibilities are. Often, these include:
- Minor repairs to the church facility
- Coordination of all maintenance and cleaning duties
- Assist with transportation needs
- Assist with the collection of offerings
- Serve on the church board (as designated)
- Visitation of shut-in
- Assist with Communion Service and Ordinance of Humility
- Assist with special meals for the bereaved
- Assist with request from the poor and homeless
- Prepare the baptismal pool for baptism
The Role of a Deacon
The word deacon means servant. We use the term "diakonate" for deacons as a body, and the term "diakonia" to describe the work that deacons do (service, support, ministry). The Apostle Paul gave Timothy instructions concerning deacons. He said the deacons must be worthy of respect, not double-tongued but sincere. In essence, 1 Tim. 3:8-13, is all about character, so deacons are expected to serve the church by the example of their character, as well as by their deeds.
In the Early Church deacons were chosen (as the need arose) to assist the elders in the temporal work of the church. Their origin is given in Acts 6, which tells how the Jerusalem church selected seven men to administer the finances, to serve tables, and to care for the poor of the congregation (Acts 6: 1-6).
A grave situation had developed in the First Century Church. The size of the church grew to the point where the apostles could no longer care for the physical and emotional needs of the church, and still be responsible for the spiritual ministry. Certain widows were neglected in the daily distribution of material things. The church sensed the need for enlarging its leadership capacity, and so seven men were selected to care for the physical needs of its members. |
