Deaconry

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 the assistance in running of services, the visitation of members, the care of the sick and the maintenance of 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.

DEACONESSESWe are the happy and Willing Deaconess of Erdington Seventh day Adventist church. 

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 that they could 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 visitation ministry to church members who are shut-in, sick, etc.                                

Deaconesses Ensure that the sanctuary is dressed 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 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 so delights in doing the work of our father we are happy to serve.