The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a deacon or deaconess includes the following duties:
Greeting and Ushering
Especially in smaller congregations, the deacon and deaconess will serve as greeters and ushers for the services held in the church. They will also help the pastor and other event leaders maintain the smooth operation of church meetings.
Upkeep of Church Property
They will take responsibility for the care and upkeep of church property, including the oversight or actual doing of the janitorial work, repairs, grounds maintenance, interior decorating and small renovations.
Security
They will care for the security of those in attendance at church activities, always vigilant for the comfort and safety of all persons. This includes opening the church building(s) before meetings and locking the facility at the conclusion of activities.
Visitation
They will join with the pastor and elders in visiting church members. Some churches assign a particular geographic area or certain number of members for deacons and deaconesses in teams of two or three to visit.
Assisting with the Baptismal Ceremony
The traditional roles for this service are described below.
The males deacons will: Prepare and fill the pool. Assist male candidates. Do the physical labor related to the service.
The deaconesses will: Prepare the robes for all who are participating. Assist female candidates. Launder and store robes, towels, etc., after the ceremony.
Assisting with the Communion Service
The traditional roles for this service are described below.
The male deacons will: Provide the physical arrangements, such as placing the communion table. Place the towels, basins, and water in the appropriate rooms for use in the Ordinance of Humility. Dispense water and basins for the men during the Ordinance of Humility, giving particular attention to visitors and new members.
The deaconesses will: Prepare the bread and grape juice. Arrange the emblems and covering on the table. Dispense water and basins for the women during the Ordinance of Humility, giving particular attention and assistance to visitors, new members, and the aged. Clean and store the linens and serving pieces used in Communion.
It is appropriate for either deacons or deaconesses who have been ordained to assist in distributing the emblems and uncovering and recovering the table during the service.
Caring for the Congregation
In many churches an unwritten tradition gives the women who serve as deaconesses or deacons the responsibility of organizing hot meals for any church family that experiences a death or other tragedy. This may mean simply taking food to the home or, in some cases, the serving of an entire meal to family and guests after the funeral. Often the planning of wedding and baby showers is also done by this group. This is an important aspect of a caring ministry in the congregation.
North American Division Personal Ministry Department, 1988.
