Deaconess of the Baptist Church:
PHOEBE (Noteworthy Servant – name means “BRIGHT”)
Romans 16:1-2; Philippians 4:13; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; 1 John 3:16-20
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way
worthy of the saints and to give her nay help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.”
(Romans 16:1-2)
PHOEBE was known as a servant (Greek word translated: deaconess) and a helper. Apparently she was a wealthy person who helped support
Paul’s ministry. She was highly regarded in the church.
As a helper, Phoebe was gracious, humble, courteous, Christian aid to the pastor in bringing aid, counsel, comfort and understanding
to those in special need.
PHOEBE:
- Was the first deaconess in the early church
- Referred to as the assistant to the deacon
- Also known as "Succorer" - means "helper"
- Served the church in various capacities
Why and How Deaconess Were Chosen
- Became necessary in the early church (New Testament)
- To perform the duties necessary that the men of the church cannot
- Set apart for the work of God's Kingdom
- To serve as the female spiritual Servant Leaders to the Pastor and Deacons
- Important part in the development of Christian and humane duties of the church
- To assist female candidates in the baptizing services
- To minister in special capacities
- Minister to the sick and bereaved female members
- Perform other duties in the interest of the female members of the church
The Deaconess Ministry is not a "SOCIAL CLUB"
- Togetherness is key - for the uplifting and the enhancing of the spiritual matters of the church
- Our presence at church should be:
- An opportunity to leave all world activities, associations, affiliations and thoughts behind us
.
- Drawn into the sacred presence of God to do His work.
- We should be about our Father's business
Qualifications of a Deaconess
- Spirit-filled women of the church
- Members in good and regular standing
- Devoted, committed and dedicated
- Discreet and confidential
- Must attend Sunday Worship services regularly
- Must attend Bible Study regularly
- Must attend Prayer Services regularly
- Must be a thither
- Have the Pastor’s vision and spirit
- Not busy bodies, meddling in other people’s affairs, not given to unkindness nor to envy and malice, deceitfulness, lying, dishonesty, unfaithfulness, but
women who are sincere Christians, dedicated to the service of the Master; of understanding natures, big of heart, sharing what they possessed with
those in need
NOTE: Regardless of the title, the main purpose of the ministry is to:
- Enhance the spiritual matters of the church
- To help foster peace, love and Christian unity in the church
- Remain open to any opportunity to share the Lord while serving/ministering; be ready at all times to minister
- Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance about what He would have us to do at any given moment
- Wisdom and spiritual discernment are vital (spiritual care and acts of Christian love)
- Know how to lovingly serve others as we trust Him to give us the guidance we need
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY LEADER:
- To serve as the female spiritual servant-leader to the Pastor and Deacons Ministry
- To serve as the team leader of the ministry
- To ensure the spiritual growth of the ministry with Christian education related to the ministry that the ministry may serve as spiritual
caregivers of the church, as well as the community.
- To present an agenda/program to the ministry annually and/or when concerns or situations arises
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MINISTRY:
- To be a member of the Israel Baptist Church in good and regular standing.
- Be a member of the ministry for at least 3 years.
- Be visible and accessible.
- Have knowledge of the Holy Bible.
- Be teachable and have an open mind.
- Be compassionate, kind and caring.
- Have the Pastor’s vision and spirit.
- Be able to coordinate and organize.
- Have administrative skills.
SUMMARY OF THE DEACONESS MINISTRY
Evangelism efforts:
- To unsaved/unchurched family members and friends of bereaved families.
- To new converts before and after accepting the Invitation to Discipleship.
- At Outdoor Services.
- At the Back to School Fair.
- At the Thanksgiving Dinner for the Community.
- To the women and children of the Dayspring Village.
- THE DEACONESS MINISTRY, WOMEN’S MINISTRY & NURSES MINISTRY attended The Stephen Ministries - Caring Ministry Workshop: Learning
how to better serve and minister to the sick and bereaved. How to be a spiritual but confidential prayer partner to those needing
someone to confide in. Learning how to bring Christ’s love to hurting people.
The Deaconess Ministry’s collaborate with other ministries to sponsor activities, workshops,
fellowship, etc.
- The Pastor, Deacons Ministry & Armor Bearers: Christmas Mission Project: Ministered to 3 families within the church with monetary donations
- Women’s Ministry & Public Relations Ministry: Ministered to the women and children of the Dayspring Village with winter outerwear and other
gifts for the children; and also during the Lent/Easter season with fellowship providing refreshments to the children
- Courtesy Guild: greeting parishioners entering into the Worship Experiences
- Deacons Ministry: Training to evangelize and counsel new converts
- Youth Ministry: Back to School Fair (Volunteers and Monetary Donation)
- Thanksgiving Dinner: (Volunteers and Monetary Donation)
- The Deaconess Ministry is a closed ministry. Members (women) are selected by the Pastor
- >However, the Pastor selected 15 additional women from the congregation to serve on the ministry in 2006
- The Deaconess Ministry currently has a total of 39 women
The ministry has made great progress within the last three (3) years, and is striving to go to another level to fulfill the mission and vision
statements of the Israel Baptist Church, by attending outside workshops and seminars to be educated spiritually to enhance our skills to be
better servant-leaders.
The women are ready and willing to receive the necessary training to better serve the Pastor, Deacons, parishioners and residents of the community.
BIBLE STUDY
- 10-15 minutes at each meeting
MISSIONS:
- To visit and minister to women in group homes, halfway houses, the Dayspring Center (to partner with Women's and Mission Ministries)
- To minister to need families within the Israel Baptist Church at Christmas (partner with Deacons Ministry)
SICK AND BEREAVEMENT VISITS THE SUNSHINE TEAMS (SICK VISITATIONS)
- The ministry is divided into “teams” to visit the sick and bereaved families of the church. (“Sunshine Teams” – sick visitations;
“Comfort Teams” – bereavement visitations)
- To visit and minister to the sick and confined on Israel’s “Get Well List”
- Cards of “Encouragement” are mailed to the “Get Well List”
- The Deacon & Deaconess Ministries and Armorbearers visit and fellowship with fellow members of the ministry when sick and confined.
A light fare is provided
- Deaconesses will give a Sick Report at each meeting (visits or phone calls.
THE COMFORT TEAMS (BEREAVE VISITATIONS)
- To visit and minister to bereaved families of Israel (whether deceased are members of the Israel Baptist Church or not). This is done is accordance
with the Baptist Church Covenant: (…to participate in each other’s joys and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate
Christian courtesy…)
- Each team provides the family with a complete meal, (however, there are times when monetary donations are provided when needed). The team ministers
and fellowships with the family, as well as evangelize to the unsaved/unchurched family members and friends
- There are times when the assigned team may be asked by the bereaved family to provide service within the family’s home to alleviate the extra
burden/work off of the immediate family members (answering door and phones, set-up for visiting family, friends and guests, cleaning, etc.)
- Team Leaders/Members will give reports of visitations to bereaved families
- Members will inform Deaconess Leader of any sicknesses, deaths/funerals
BIBLE STUDY & PRAYER SERVICES:
- Attend Bible Study and Prayer Services regularly
OUTSIDE WORSHIP SERVICES:
- Attend outside worship services when Pastor and church are scheduled
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES:
- Acknowledgement of Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries each month.
- Plan a tea or lite fare for new deaconesses joining the ministry (with Pastor Wilson included).
- Joint fellowships with Ministers, Deacons Ministry and Armorbearers
- Other miscellaneous activities.
BAPTIZING
- Each month, one week prior to the baptizing date, an assigned team meets with the candidates on Sunday morning and Tuesday night, to
explain the procedures of baptizing; and answer questions the candidates may have
- The Deacons & Deaconesses prepare and assist candidates for baptizing:
- Assist with checking candidates in upon arrival
- Escort candidates to room to have have their pictures taken
- Escort candidates to dressing rooms, where they are given baptismal clothing to change into
- After baptizing, candidates are escorted to the multi-purpose room to receive new members booklets and are welcomed and greeted by
the deaconess ministry
- New Converts:
- The ministry assist Barnabas Ministry with counseling New Converts and also served as Prayer Partners.
- 2 members of the ministry have joined the Deacons Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity: Sisters Shirley Eaddy and Jacqueline Cooper
- Partnered with The Women’s Ministry: Assisted students / victims of Hurricane Katrina
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