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What does a deacon do in a week?

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by TexasSky, Jun 9, 2005.

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  1. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    Someone started a thread asked what Pastors do in a week. It made me stop and think. What do deacons do in a week?
     
    #1 TexasSky, Jun 9, 2005
  2. Jeffrey H

    Jeffrey H New Member

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    My responsibilities vary from week to week depending on the deacons schedule and the immediate needs of the church.

    Basically, I'm responsible for 13 families and I check up on them periodically to pray, visit, and help with any physical or spiritual needs they may have. e.g., If a financial crisis hits their home, I work with them to see how the church can help.

    The deacons at my church are servants to the Church and each one of us has a "family care group" ranging from 10 to 14 families. We're also involved in homebound visits, hospital visits, outreach, and follow-up contact with visitors. We do alot of work "behind the scenes" that is not readily visible to the church. We are not a "ruling board" over the church and we do not make decisions for the church under any circumstance.
     
    #2 Jeffrey H, Jun 9, 2005
  3. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    AWESOME!!: )
     
    #3 TexasSky, Jun 9, 2005
  4. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Sometimes I wonder.
     
    #4 SaggyWoman, Jun 9, 2005
  5. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    Depends on the deacon and the Churches view of what Deacons should do.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
    #5 Joseph_Botwinick, Jun 9, 2005
  6. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    All of our deacons have regular jobs, but they still devote much time to discliping and visiting.
     
    #6 I Am Blessed 24, Jun 9, 2005
  7. richard n koustas

    richard n koustas New Member

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    good question. i wouldlike to know myself...i was assigned a deacon(ess) when i joined the baptist church almost 2 years ago. i remember getting one phone call.
     
    #7 richard n koustas, Jun 9, 2005
  8. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    Whenever a new person joins our church, he/she is assigned to one of our deacons--who then is responsible for visiting them from time to time and keeping up with that member's needs (both physical and spiritual).

    Most of the deacons are also leaders of our various home Bible study and prayer (i.e., "Cell") groups as well.

    If you are unfamiliar with a cell-based church, you are welcome to visit our web site:

    http://www.lighthouseministries.org
     
    #8 ktn4eg, Jun 9, 2005
  9. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    I have been blessed with some amazing Deacons over the years. Men who were there for prayer, hospital visits, counseling, bible study, and of course church functions.

    One thing my church does is assign deacons to pray for the Pastor, and to do emergency calls. The church mailer lists two deacons and their phone numbers. When a tragic car accident involving several students from a Baptist University resulted in the death of 2 of the students, these dear men got out of bed in the middle of the night to arrange for people to go to the familys of the victims and to go to the college to help down there.
     
    #9 TexasSky, Jun 9, 2005
  10. Jeffrey H

    Jeffrey H New Member

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    This is an issue in my church as well. Some deacons are better at making regular contact than others. In some situations, it's the "extrovert" vs. "introvert" personalities. It could be that this deacon(ness) is still sorting out the priorities of his church, family, and job responsibilities.

    What does your church require of your deacons? If you don't know, find out. If they don't have any required duties, then they are just carrying a Title.

    Pray for your deacon and give them a call on occasion. We're members as well and we deal with the same issues and stresses of life as other church members.
     
    #10 Jeffrey H, Jun 10, 2005
  11. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    My sister married a man from another denomination. When someone becomes a "deacon" in their church its extremely different than it is in a Baptist Church. They are required to do some intense bible study and theological training, then their family is interviewed, as well as members of the congregation who have been part of groups they worked with.

    The ordination ceremony is as serious and formal as a wedding or funeral, maybe more so.

    Then - they are, for all intents and purposes, Pastors. If their pastor is out of town, they preach. They can do weddings or funerals, but most of all they do the pastoral care. They visit the sick, monitor the food and clothing closet, run the bible camps, etc.

    The thing that fascinated me, is that before he became a deacon, my brother-in-law had some really, really weak theology. He read his bible every day, but, frankly, I think he read the same Chapters over and over. We used to have some really interesting discussions at the kitchen table following family gatherings, and he would swear that "Baptists are cult like and wrong."

    NOW - Now, his theology is pretty main-stream-conservative-Baptist. The change has been that as a deacon he's been forced to REALLY, REALLY study his bible, get down into it.

    The whole thing made me wonder though - I've been in Baptist Churches that are pretty careful about who they appoint as Deacons, but I don't know how much people know about the individual's "personal believes" in regards to theology. I've visited some where it looks like it is a popularity vote. You pick up a program and they say, "Nominate someone for deacon," and the next week they read off a list a mile long and go, "All in favor say Aye." I hope and pray there was some kind of .... something.. going on behind the scenes before that, but a week sure seems like a short time to find out if a man looks good in a suit on Sunday or really tries to serve the Lord.
     
    #11 TexasSky, Jun 10, 2005
  12. Jeffrey H

    Jeffrey H New Member

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    In my church, deacons are nominated by the members. Nominations by direct family members are rejected. Only nominations from non-family members are accepted.

    If they accept their nomination, then they are put through an interview process and fill out a doctrinal/beliefs questionnaire to determine if they are grounded in fundamental doctrine and they can communicate the message of the Gospel. They are also required to give a testimony of their salvation. They are not required to be "theologians", but have a strong understanding of fundamental christian doctrine. If the deacon candidate passes through this test, then he will have a one-year period of training before he is "ordained."
     
    #12 Jeffrey H, Jun 10, 2005
  13. shannonL

    shannonL New Member

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    Everybody knows what deacons do silly?


    Why, shoot man they deac!
     
    #13 shannonL, Jun 10, 2005
  14. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Some years ago I served under the head deacon. Ray was one of those every church should be privileged to have. He was one who made every effort to make sure the people in the building were comfortable and were greeted. His aim was to make people feel welcome so nothing would distract them from hearing what they should. He instilled in us excellence in serving.
     
    #14 gb93433, Jun 10, 2005
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