DEACONRY MINISTRY

Serving with Dedication and Compassion

Diaconate

This is the term used for Deacons and Deaconesses.

Following the account in Acts 6: 1-6 and 1 Tim. 3: 8-13.

 

DEACONS:

The deacon, like the elder, is an elected and ordained role, serving for a term of one or two years as determined by the local church.


The deacon’s primary roles are assisting in the running of services, visiting members, caring for the sick, and maintaining church property.


The call to the office includes more than caring for the business of the Christian community.

The fact that they are ordained for the special work of looking after the needs of the poor does not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary they are fully qualified to instruct others in the truth.

 

This inspired arrangement resulted in great progress in the building up of the work of the early church. “The appointment of the seven to take the oversight of special lines of work proved a great blessing to the church. These officers gave careful consideration to individual needs as well as to the general financial interests of the church, and by their prudent management and their godly example they were an important aid to their fellow officers in binding together the various interests of the church into a united whole.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 89.


DEACONESSES

We are the happy and willing Deaconesses of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Erdington.


The ministry to which we have been called includes the following duties:


  • Report to Head Deaconess and Assistant. All Deaconesses assist in maintaining the smooth operation of a number of church meetings.
  • Any needs and/or concerns should be reported to the Head Deaconess as soon as possible so they can be addressed in an adequate manner. A quarterly meeting is scheduled by the Head Deaconess to address various issues and provide training.
  • Head Deaconess will coordinate preparation for communion.
  • The Deaconesses bake the bread, and the wine is usually supplied by the Head Deaconess. The Deaconesses (and other interested church members) provide cards, fruit baskets, and a visitation ministry to church members who are shut-in, sick, etc.
  • Deaconesses ensure that the sanctuary is decorated with fresh flowers on a weekly basis.
  • Deaconesses assist with the Baptismal Ceremony. The traditional roles for this service are described below.
  • The Deaconesses prepare the robes for all who are participating.
  • Assist female candidates. Launder and store robes, towels, etc., after the ceremony.


We also assist with the Communion Service. The traditional roles for this service are described below:


The Deaconesses will: Prepare the bread and wine. Arrange the emblems and covering for the table. Dispense water and basins for the women during the Ordinance of Humility, giving attention and assistance to visitors, new members, and the aged. Clean and store the linens and serving pieces used in Communion.


We assist in distributing the emblems and veiling and unveiling the communion tray covers during the service. We are a happy team who delights in doing the work of our Father. We are happy to serve.