Duties and Responsibilities Resources
The work of deacons and deaconesses is multi-faceted. Here are a few examples of the main roles they perform in the local church or congregation:
- Visiting church members in their homes
- Reclaiming missing members and backsliders
- Supporting and helping the sick, the elderly, the disabled, and the bereaved
- Caring for and relieving the poor and aiding the unfortunate
- Caring for and maintaining the church property
- Teaching God’s Word when situations demand it
- Serving the church in a variety of areas: the worship service, Sabbath School, the Communion service, baptismal ceremonies, funerals, and other church functions
These leaders are the right hands of our pastors and elders in their local congregation. It is impossible to imagine how our Church would work without their volunteer participation.
The impact the original deacons had on the early church was astounding: “The word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (Acts 6:7). Today is no different. Deacons and deaconesses are also invited to be soul-winners, witnesses for Jesus, and to bring others into a saving relationship with the Lord. They are making a great difference!
– Ministerial Association of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
