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Myrtle
Grove Baptist Church
Deacon
Handbook
2007
Revision
I. DEACON-YOKEFELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Monthly Meetings: The deacon-yokefellow meeting will be held
the first Monday after the last Sunday of each month. All active
deacons and yokefellows are expected to attend these meetings at 7 pm.
A quorum of one half of the active deacons and yokefellows plus one will
be required for any vote.
B. Service: The primary purpose of the deacon-yokefellow is to
minister to the needs of the church.
C. Deacon-Yokefellow Recommendations to the Church:
1. Recommendations on budget proposals.
2. Major changes to church operations and policies.
3. Proposals for by-laws changes.
4. Additional committees to meet the needs of the church.
D. Prayer and Moral Support: The deacons and yokefellows will
participate in all services of the church as well as pray for its
activities.
E. Tithing: All deacons and yokefellows are expected to support
the church financially. This includes a minimum of 10 percent of one's
income being given to the work of the Lord. All deacons and yokefellows
should support special emphasis programs that have been approved by the
church, i.e., building programs, special missions emphases, etc.
F. Committee Assignments: Assignments are made by the Chairman of
the Deacons-Yokefellows.
G. Ministry: As spiritual leaders, minister to the needs of
church members, the community, and the unsaved.
H. Deacons and yokefellows shall be actively involved in one or
more of the following ministries:
1. Sharing the gospel.
2. Evangelism/FAITH/altar call counseling.
3. Discipleship/BodyLife/New Deacon-Yokefellow
Training/Stewardship.
4. Homebound/Shut-ins/Emotional/Physical/Spiritual.
5. Pastoral Care (Home Visits, Hospital Visits, Grief and
Comfort, Crisis Counseling).
I. All Deacons and Yokefellows are expected to adhere to the
"Deacon-Yokefellow Code of Ethics."
J. Deacons-Yokefellows may address concerns or recommendations
directly to the Chairman, Vice Chairman or Pastor (as appropriate) for
discussion at monthly meetings.
II. DEACON-YOKEFELLOW
OFFICERS
A. Chairman: The Chairman is the previous year's Vice Chairman as
elected by the deacons. His duties include:
1. Acting as the president of the corporation (Myrtle Grove
Baptist Church).
2. Conducting services when asked to do so by the Pastor.
3. Moderating business meetings in the absence of the Pastor.
4. Signing church checks (countersigned by the Vice Chairman,
Treasurer or Vice Treasurer).
5. Signing bonds, contracts, legal documents, etc.
6. Serving as a member of the Church Council.
7. Serving as a member of the budget committee.
8. Making deacon reports to business conferences.
9. Having access to the church safety deposit box.
10. Administering the deacon and yokefellow work and ministry
(assign responsibility, delegate authority, and organize ministry
activities using each deacon-yokefellow area of expertise).
11. Providing spiritual leadership.
12. Meeting with the pastor and church staff often in sharing
sessions.
13. Assisting the pastor during observances of the Ordinance
of the Lord's Supper.
14. Planning the annual deacon-yokefellow retreat in
July/August to be held in early October.
B. Vice Chairman: The Vice Chairman will serve one year as Vice
Chairman and serve as Chairman the following year. This will provide
continuity from year to year in administering deacon-yokefellow
ministries and responsibilities within the church. The Vice Chairman's
responsibilities include:
1. Monthly assignment of deacons and yokefellows to: usher;
bank messenger; security; deacon-yokefellow of the week; and extended
Lord's Supper. The deacon-yokefellow service list will be available on
the church website.
2. Coordinating the extended Lord's Supper for homebound.
3. Substitute for the Chairman in his absence.
4. Act as Chairman of the Deacon-Yokefellow Handbook Revision
Committee annually.
5. Countersign church checks.
6. Contact other deacons and yokefellows for meetings,
special occasions, etc.
7. Other tasks assigned by the Chairman.
C. Deacon-Yokefellow Secretary: He is elected for one year. His
responsibilities include:
1. Keeping minutes of the deacon-yokefellow meeting and
furnish a handwritten copy to the church secretary as soon as possible.
2. Keeping a record of the deacon-yokefellow rotation.
III. DUTIES OF ALL
DEACONS AND YOKEFELLOWS:
All deacons and
yokefellows will be assigned duties monthly. They must perform these
duties or arrange for a substitute. These duties include:
A. Ushering
1. Head Usher: The head usher will be the first
deacon-yokefellow listed on the monthly assignment sheet. A copy of the
assignment sheet will be given to each deacon-yokefellow at the monthly
meeting, and one copy will be placed on the foyer counter. Deacons and
yokefellows not attending the monthly meeting will be mailed a copy.
The Head Usher is responsible for the smooth operation of the ushers
during the worship service. His duties include:
a. Ensure sufficient number of collection plates are
available.
b. Recruit extra ushers, if necessary.
c. Ensure that the collection of offering is done in an
orderly manner.
d. Ensure that ushers wear coat and tie in services.
e. As necessary assign greeters, individuals to pass out
bulletins and an usher for each aisle to assist in seating of
worshipers.
2. Ushering and Seating
a. Help worshipers find a seat when requested or when
the worship center is almost full.
b. Encourage seating near the front.
c. Consult the person before seating him/her. Determine
his/her preference for area of seating. The usher should lead the
person(s) to a row that has sufficient room and then stand in front of
row entrance until all are seated. This will assure everyone has a seat
before the usher leaves the area.
d. Seating should not occur during:
(1) Prayer
(2) Special Music
(3) Baptism
(4) Reading of Scripture
3. Greeting People
a. A special effort must be made to make each person who
enters God's house feel welcome with a word of greeting and a smile.
Call the person by name, if possible. Bulletins or special programs are
to be distributed to everyone. If the bulletins or special programs
appear to be running short, an effort will be made to distribute one per
family with an explanation. The church secretary should be notified and
plan accordingly.
b. A special greeting should be extended to visitors.
4. Offering Collection
a. Offerings will be collected by the ushers.
Collections will be made during Sunday morning and evening services.
b. The ushers will be seated on the back row prior to the
offertory hymn.
c. The ushers will approach the altar at the appropriate
time in the service (see bulletin). The approach to the altar will be
made with one half of the ushers in each of the two inside aisles.
d. Prayer will be offered by the assigned person (use
podium microphone). The first person on the list has the first Sunday's
prayer, the second person has the second Sunday's prayer, and so forth.
e. After prayer, the ushers will proceed up the aisles
from front to back.
f. Collection plates will be passed on first pew with
people.
g. Collection of the 10:30 am service will be added to
the bank bag and taken to the bank by the bank messengers.
h. At the evening service the Head Usher and an assistant
will serve as bank messengers. Collections of the evening service will
be placed in the bank bag and taken to the bank by the head usher and an
assistant..
IV. EXTENDED LORD'S
SUPPER: All assigned deacons and yokefellows are to meet at the
church office work room at
2 pm on the afternoon
the church has the Lord's Supper to receive assignments, kits, pray, and
go out.
V. THE ORDINANCES
A. Baptism: Deacons and yokefellows will participate as requested
by the pastor.
B. Lord's Supper
1. Deacons and yokefellows will assist the pastor in serving
the Lord's Supper. Those deacons and yokefellows assigned ushering
duties will help with the service along with others recruited by the
Vice Chairman.
2. The Chairman has special duties during this service as
assigned and reviewed by the pastor.
3. The first two deacons or yokefellows to arrive at the
front of the church will remove the table cloth, fold it, and place it
on the front pew. After the service they will replace the table cloth.
4. The deacons and yokefellows assigned will be seated on the
front row. At the pastor's signal they will stand in front of the
altar. The pastor will say a few words and distribute plates of
"bread." The deacons and yokefellows will then distribute them to the
congregation similar to distributing offering plates. The two end
deacons and yokefellows will go to the choir (and musicians), etc. The
plates will be returned to the front of the altar. The pastor will
return the plates to the table assisted by the chairman. The same
procedure will be followed for serving the "wine."
5. Coordinating the homebound service will be the Vice
Chairman's responsibility. All assigned deacons and yokefellows are
expected to participate.
VI.
DEACONS-YOKEFELLOWS ON CALL
A. General Responsibilities
1. Four deacons-yokefellows will be assigned each week by the
Vice Chairman. The first deacon or yokefellow listed is responsible for
coordinating visits in homes, hospitals, and funeral homes and
fulfilling other ministry needs, as necessary.
2. At least one of the deacons or yokefellows will make
hospital visits prior to Wednesday and report to the church at prayer
meeting.
3. A member of the ministerial team will visit shut-ins and
nursing homes on Friday, and will be accompanied by one of the deacons
or yokefellows on call.
B. Visiting Techniques
1. Be cheerful, understanding and supportive.
2. Offer prayer when possible for the person and/or family
involved.
3. Talk clearly and be diplomatic. Do not ask personal
questions. You may show interest and concern without being nosey and
offending someone.
4. When in a patient's room, talk just loud enough for the
patient. In most cases make the visit brief.
5. Good bedside techniques and common sense is essential.
(Don't ask the patient how they feel, tell them you know what they are
going through, or sit on the bed.) Don't tell them about your
illnesses.
6. Be prepared to witness to the saved and the lost.
VII. GROUND SECURITY
A. Purpose: The primary purpose of ground security is to keep the
building and grounds safe and secure during evening worship and/or
special events.
B. Scope: This will require a minimum of two people patrolling
the parking area and church grounds. A third person will be posted in
the church nursery, as needed.
C. Assignment: Each month, two deacons or yokefellows will be
assigned ground security duty. Assignments for duty during evening
worship services will be indicated on the monthly Deacon-Yokefellow
Service List. Nursery support and special event duty assignments will
be made by the Vice Chairman. If for some reason an individual is not
able to fulfill his assignment, it shall be his responsibility to
arrange for a substitute.
D. Ground Patrol Procedures: Security personnel shall exercise
good judgment at all times.
1. Always work in pairs.
2. While walking about the facility, be mindful of doors and
windows that should be locked, lights that should be off (or on), and
scheduled church activities.
3. Randomly sequence visits to the nursery area, adding to
the safety of the children and workers.
4. Anyone in or around the buildings and/or parking area
should be questioned if in doubt of their intent. Provide assistance as
required.
5. If a theft or vandalism is in progress, call the sheriff's
office (911).
6. In case of minor incidents, the person(s) should be
detained, if safely possible, until the situation is resolved.
7. Law enforcement should be contacted in case of significant
damages to a vehicle or church property.
VIII. BANK MESSENGER
A. Purpose: The primary goal of the bank messengers is to take
the offering safely to the bank.
B. Procedures
1. After Sunday School, both bank messengers will report to
the church office.
2. The bank messengers take the monies collected at Sunday
school to the church office, lock it in a bank bag, and place it in the
deacon's drawer.
3. After the
10:30 am collection is taken, place loose money and envelopes
into a bank bag. Visitor cards will be placed in the visitor envelope
and placed on the church receptionist's desk. All monies go into bank
bags for deposit. Lock the bags. Leave the bank bag keys in the
office. Take the night deposit key with you.
4. Both messengers will remain with the money at all times
prior to depositing it.
5. Take the locked bags to the Bank of the South.
6. It is recommended that the time and route of travel be
varied each Sunday. It is a good practice to circle the bank prior to
leaving the automobile to make a deposit.
7. One person should remain in the car while the other
deposits one bag at a time. Open the deposit locker door an extra time
after making the deposit to make sure all of the bags fall into the
depository. Return the bank key to the office.
8. In case of a holdup, it is recommended the money be given
up immediately. We have insurance.
9. At the evening service, the head usher and an assistant
will serve as bank messengers, as outlined above.
A DEACON'S CODE OF
ETHICS
I
am a deacon or yokefellow in a Baptist church. In Christ I am saved
from sin to a life of faith and usefulness. In the church, of which
Christ is head, I have an opportunity to make my life count for Him in
Christian service. The members of my church have expressed confidence
in me by electing me to be a deacon or yokefellow. By the grace of God,
in keeping with the mind and purpose of my Lord, and in response to the
confidence of my brothers and sisters, I hereby commit myself to:
The Bible
I
accept the New Testament as my source of authority on the Christian life
and the work of a deacon or yokefellow. From it, I learn that we were
first chosen to serve with the pastor in the ministries of the church;
that they were ordained/commissioned by the church to serve people in
need; and that we are expected to set an example in Christian life and
service.
Proper Authority
The church determines my specific authority, and I will be true to its
constitution and bylaws and special instructions to its deacons and
yokefellows. The Lord Jesus Christ has granted me spiritual authority,
and I will be true to Him by setting a Christian example in everyday
living. My conscience, quickened by the Holy Spirit, gives moral
authority, and I will strive to be wise, fair, loving, and courageous in
dealing with current issues.
The Pastor
I
am my pastor's partner and coworker. Both of us are responsible to
Christ, and we are coworkers for Christ. My pastor is shepherd of the
flock, and I will strive to help him be a good shepherd by:
-Praying for him
-Encouraging him
-Defending him when he is criticized unfairly
-Being frank with him when I think he is mistaken
-Being his brother in Christ, his co-laborer in the church, and his
moral and spiritual helper in service to people.
Other Deacons and Yokefellows
I
recognize that I am engaged in teamwork with my pastor and the others.
I will:
-Respect other deacons and yokefellows
-Pray for them
-Strive to understand their points of view when we do not agree and will
disagree in love
-Carry my share of responsibility at all times
-Defend them if they are attacked or misunderstood by others.
The Church
I
will strive to work responsibly with all who are members of the church
by:
-Attending the services and participating in the work of the church
-Supporting the financial program of the church
-Encouraging the indifferent members and praising the faithful ones
-Supporting the decisions of the church even when I am in the minority
-Discouraging envy, jealousy, backbiting, and strife
-Refraining from gossip and insisting that the truth be told about all
matters
-Guarding sacredly the confidence entrusted to me
-Bearing witness to the unsaved and appealing to them to accept Christ
and join the church.
My
Lord
Of
myself I am neither wise, good, nor strong enough to be a deacon or
yokefellow. But I am not alone in this work. Christ is my companion
and through His wisdom, mercy, and power I am able to
serve.
by Garland Hendricks
As appeared in “Church Administration” magazine.
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