Deacons

Deacons: 
Chairperson, Sharon Morgan - 2024
Phyllis Nelson - 2024
Amanda Sullivan-Young 2024
Kellyn Wortman - 2025
Michelle Sanchez - 2025
Doris Fields - 2025

Deacon Description and Responsibilities

Definition of Deacon from the Book of Order (G-2.0201)

“The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and
service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick,
the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures,
or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives,
brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen
for this ministry.” 

G-2.0102 Ordered Ministries
“The Church’s ordered ministries described in the New Testament and maintained by
this church are deacons and presbyters (ministers of the Word and Sacrament and ruling elders). Ordered ministries are gifts to the church to order its life so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish. The existence of these ordered ministries in no way diminishes the importance of the commitment of all members to the total ministry of the church. The government of this church is representative, and the right of God’s people to elect presbyters and deacons is inalienable. Therefore, no person can be placed in any ordered ministry in a congregation or council of the church except by election of that body. Ordination to the ministry of deacon, ruling elder, or minister of the Word and Sacrament (also called teaching elder) is unique to that order of ministry.”

G-2.0202 Under Authority of the Session
Deacons may be individually commissioned or organized as a board of deacons. In
either case, their ministry is under the supervision and authority of the session. Deacons
may also be given special assignments in the congregation, such as caring for members in need, handling educational tasks, cultivating liberality in giving, collecting and disbursing monies to specific persons or causes, or overseeing the buildings and property of the congregation. Deacons shall assume other duties as may be delegated to them by the session, including assisting with the Lord’s Supper. (W-3.0414). A congregation by a majority vote may choose not to utilize the ordered ministry of deacons. If the congregation has neither a board of deacons nor individually commissioned deacons, the function of this ordered ministry shall be the responsibility of the ruling elders and the session.

W-2.0302: Deacons
Deacons are called to lead the congregation in compassion, witness, and service, representing the ministry of the church in the world and the presence of the world in the church. While deacons have no particular responsibilities for the ordering of worship, the session should ensure that deacons (where present) have regular opportunities to lead in worship, and that their ministries of compassion, witness, and service are reflected in the public services of the church.  

TRAINING:
G-2.0402 Preparation for Ministry as a Deacon
“When persons have been elected to the ordered ministry of ruling elder or deacon,
the session shall provide a period of study and preparation, after which the session shall
examine them as to their personal faith; knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church; and the duties of the ministry. The session shall also confer with them as to their willingness to undertake the ministry appropriate to the order. If the examination is approved, the session shall appoint a day for the service of ordination and installation.”

Training takes place on a continual basis throughout your time as a Deacon. Advanced training will take place prior to any Deacon beginning their term. This training will consist of the following (and more):

• The role of the Deacon, including expectations
• How meetings are conducted
• How Deacons work
• Making calls on homebound individuals in our church, including how to serve communion

SPECIFICS:
Deacon meetings are currently held the second Sunday of the month following worship in the Round Table room.

Our Diaconate conducts its business with God as the center and with much prayer. Given this, every effort is made to provide amble time for prayer and discernment. Business brought before the Diaconate is done in a timely manner so that it is presented at least a month before any decision needs to be made, if possible.

An annual Tri-board (Deacons, Elders, Trustees) meeting is held in February. This meeting may simply be a 2-3 hour meeting all the way up to an overnight retreat starting on Friday evening and ending late Saturday afternoon.

HOW TO LEARN MORE:

• Speak with the pastor
• Download the Book of Order pdf then search Deacon
  • This can be done by simply Googling “PCUSA Book of Order pdf
  • Once you have downloaded the pdf and have it open hold the ctrl button and click on the “f” key. This will bring up a search box.
• Go to pcusa.org and search Deacon.
• Watch the first video in the series on Theoacademy entitled “Preparation for Ordered Ministry.” Here is the link: http://www.theocademy.com/lessons-for-ruling-elders-and-deacons