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Deacon Family Ministry
Deacons have a rich and noble heritage in family ministry. It was a
family-related need which called this office into being, namely, the
economic needs of widows in the early church (Acts 6:1-7). These seven
laymen, who worked with the apostles in meeting this need, were the first
deacons.
Baptists in recent years have focused attention upon the role of deacons in
relationship to families. During the past 40 years a Deacon Family Ministry
has been implemented in many churches. Through this ministry deacons have
helped church members develop and maintain a healthy relationship to the
congregation so they could grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
The Deacon Family Ministry is an organized plan for connecting every family
unit in the congregation with the Sunday School groups and ministry
opportunities available through the larger organizational structure of the
church. The greater goal is to lead everyone into being personally involved
in worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, and service through means
of mutual accountability. Each family unit will be assigned to a deacon, who
accepts the responsibility for ministering to them for the glory of God and
the good of the whole congregation.
In addition to this basic definition, the Deacon Family Ministry plan might
also be defined or summed up as follows: The Deacon Family Ministry is a
means for building relationships between deacons and their assigned church
families. It is the means by which deacons proclaim the gospel to families,
care for families, and help families experience a rewarding relationship
with the greater congregation. It is a commitment of deacons to continuing
concern for every family in the church. It is an expression of the concern
of deacons for the whole life of the family. It is a pledge by deacons to
personal responsibility for ministering to specific families in the church
and the community.
When deacons accept responsibility for a personal ministry to church
families, the entire church is strengthened. Church families are the first
to benefit from this ministry. As deacons show interest in the concerns of
families through regular calls and visits in homes, families will be
reminded that the church really cares for them. Trust in the deacons will
grow. Members of a family will be able to discuss their problems with the
deacon and accept his personal ministry. Ministries of the church will be
understood more clearly by the families. As they understand the mission of
the church and the work to which the church is committed, families will find
greater joy in participating in the church’s ministries and opportunities.
The church will benefit also as the fellowship of the church is
strengthened. When personal needs and family needs are being met, church
fellowship will always be built up. Because of the “personal touch” of the
Deacon Family Ministry, fewer church members will be lost through apathy and
inactivity.
When deacons perform their work in the Deacon Family Ministry plan, pastors
and other church staff members will be able to concentrate on the equipping
ministries for which they are called. Like the apostles pictured in the
sixth chapter of Acts, church staff members can give themselves to
meditation and prayer, to teaching and training, as well as caring for those
facing times of crisis.
Through the Deacon Family Ministry, deacons will discover the real meaning
of the servant role to which they are set apart. They will have greater
reasons for growing in their understanding of the Bible because of the
challenges of their new ministry. They will grow in faith and dependence on
God.
If you are not sure who your deacon is you can contact the church office for
that information.
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