Deacon Board

 
Head Deacon: Wayne Blanding
 
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.