Church Leadership
Board of Deacons

Introduction
Officers
Ministering to Need
Building Community
Responsibilities of a Deacons



Introduction

The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.

It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by Session.

Officers

The Board shall annually elect from its number a Moderator, vice Moderator and Secretary.

Ministering to Need

The ministry objectives of the Board of Deacons are to provide ministry to those in need and to develop a sense of community in the congregation through the encouragement of fellowship and Christian care giving.

New ministries should be developed as opportunity allows; and the following ministries continued: memorial receptions, prayer list, “special people,” casseroles, college/military ministry, public assistance, tape ministry, transportation, Union Station and Christmas Giving Tree.

Building Community

New programs should be developed as opportunity allows; and the following programs continued: Senior Saturdays, courtyard fellowship, worship greeters, new member assimilation and life issue seminars.

Responsibilities of a Deacon

1. Attend services of worship, with special concern to celebrate the sacraments, and participate in church events and activities. Attend Congregational meetings.

2. Attend monthly meetings of the Board of Deacons on the second Wednesday of each month, and special meetings as may be called from time to time. Regular meetings are normally two hours in length.

3. Serve on one Board of Deacons Ministry Cluster Group. The Ministry Cluster Groups and the focus of their responsibilities are:

Christian Service:  Senior Saturdays, and care and concern ministries.

Outreach: casserole/caring cooks, college/military care packages, lunch sacks/hygiene kits/transportation tokens, Christmas Giving Tree, and Union Station.

Community Building: parish program, Special People, fellowship groups, pancake breakfast, courtyard fellowship (greeters), and new members.

All deacons participate in the Senior Saturdays, Union Station, parish program, pancake breakfast, courtyard fellowship, and new members.

4. Attend officer training programs, officer retreats, and the annual Presbytery sponsored Church Officer Development Event (C.O.D.E.). Generally, there is one officer training program and one officer retreat per year. The C.O.D.E. event is usually held on a Saturday in January, often at SMCC.

5. Seek out and welcome visitors to services of worship; seek to meet and encourage new members.

6. Assist in the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on a scheduled basis.

7. Participate in the annual stewardship campaign.

Staff leadership is provided to the Board of Deacons by the Associate Pastor.