Deacon Board
Head
Deacon: Randall Carmichael
The Ephesus deacons
have responsibility for the care of church property. They assist
in the ordinances of the church. They visit the sick and poor.
The office of deacon is described in the New Testament (1 Tim.
3:8-13) and the word "deacon" is variously interpreted as
"servant, minister, writer, attendant." The head deacon
serves as the chairman of the deacons' board with meetings being
held each month. The board affords a well-ordered means of
distributing deacons' responsibilities and coordinates deacons'
contributions to the well-being of the church. It also provides
a training ground where younger men, rightly recruited as
deacons, may be instructed in their duties. The duties of
deacons involve a wide range of practical services for the
church including:
Assistance at Services and Meetings
Visitation of Members
Preparation for Baptismal Services
Assistance at the Communion Service
The Care of the Sick and the Poor
Care and Maintenance of Church Property
Deacons' Responsibilities
Six deacons are scheduled to be on duty during any particular
Sabbath. One of the deacons is designated each week as the
Deacon-in-Charge. His responsibility is to open up the church
for services, meetings and special occasions and close up the
church once they have concluded. He also provides a security
presence at Wednesday night prayer service. The weekly term of
service for the Deacon-in-Charge begins on Sabbath morning at
the early morning worship service and ends on Friday evening,
typically after the Vespers service.