A Way to Engage the Church in Practical
Ministry Through Deacons

Deacons may be used to serve the elders and the church by leading ministry groups (M.G.), which are action groups designed to carry out practical functions in the body. Deacons may be assigned to a group and to an elder. In this way, when decisions are made by the elders, an individual elder may call on his deacon(s) who will in turn lead the ministry group to act.

Elder

Deacon

M. G.
Elder

Deacon

M. G.
Elder

Deacon

M. G.
Elder

Deacon

M. G.
Elder

Deacon

M. G.
A Sampling of Ministry Groups to Consider

Reception Ministry Group

  1. Warmly greet members and guests when they come into the building.
  2. Supply name tags for members and guests.
  3. Make sure guests sign the guest register in lobby.
  4. Introduce guest to one or two members and encourage discussion.
  5. Supply guests and members with new information sheets.
  6. Meet people in lot with umbrellas when raining.
  7. Instruct guests on building layout. Escort them to rooms as needed.
  8. Arrange for guests to have meals or desert in homes of members.


Hospitality Ministry Group

  1. Coordinate church-wide meals.
  2. Arrange details of church-wide activities as assigned.
  3. Manage the quarterly friendship groups (three families plus one or two singles rotating to one of their homes once a quarter for meal or desert)
  4. Care for shut-ins by offering some form of hospitality meal with them in their homes.


Media Ministry Group

  1. Running the sound for our meetings and coordinating use of all other audio-visual equipment.
  2. Establishing a tape ministry.
  3. Staffing and managing the church library.
  4. Staffing and managing the church book room (book choices will be made by the elders).
  5. Carrying out details for publication and distribution of any community awareness materials given by the elders.
  6. Purchasing of new media equipment. Recommendations made to the elders precede purchases.


Accounting Ministry Group

  1. Posting of contributions and delivery of funds to the bank.
  2. Informing the elders monthly of financial picture.
  3. Sending out understandable financial statements to the people as directed by the elders.
  4. Filling out forms related to church accounts and writing checks.
  5. Gathering information as needed during budget time for the use of the elders.
  6. Advising elders as needed on the current financial situation.


Property and Maintenance

  1. Purchasing, upkeep, and maintenance of our church building and equipment. Recommendations must be sent to the elders in purchases over $200 or outside of budget allotment.
  2. Keeping the church grounds.
  3. Overseeing custodial work and any other grounds or building related professional assistance.
  4. Coordinating church work days.


Preschool and Nursery Ministry Group

  1. Managing the volunteer nursery and preschool workers for church services.
  2. Reminding volunteers of their Sunday responsibilities by mail each week.
  3. Coordinating the Bible Study period for nursery and preschool.
  4. Managing all supplies for the nursery and preschool.


Ordinance Ministry Group

  1. Preparing all materials for the taking of the Lord’s supper.
  2. Preparation for baptism (including robe cleaning, etc.) and assisting those baptized.


It is best to prepare the people for serving on ministry groups by doing the following:

The card will allow people of age to check from one to three possible choices according to their gifts, talents, or desires. The elders will pick one of those areas of service from among their choices. In other words, each person will be assigned to only one practical ministry group after the elders review their cards.



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