The best title I can use to describe the deacons of May Memorial Baptist Church is Spiritual Leaders.

They are not the governing body (that’s the congregation), they don’t handle finances (that’s the finance committee). They don’t deal with staff issues (Personnel Committee), and they don’t oversee building and grounds maintenance (Building and Ground’s Committee). They don’t handle legal issues like insurance, contracts, and property (Board of Directors). There’s many things that are done by many other groups in the church, but the deacons still have perhaps the most important role. They are the spiritual leaders, and as spiritual leaders, they are called to:

Be faithful

Be mature

Promote unity

Pray for the church and our members

Have integrity

Demonstrate Christ-like love

Speak the truth

Share Christ

Serve at the Lord’s Table

Encourage the discouraged

Comfort the grieving

Welcome the newcomer and stranger

Visit the sick and hurting

Encourage stewardship of all God has given us

Promote faithful worship

(And other duties as required)

The deacons are not a board, they are spiritual leaders. They are a necessity for the church, and they are God’s gifts to the Body. May Memorial is blessed with wonderful deacons, and starting today we will feature the “deacons of the month” in the newsletter.

I am grateful for all of my co-laborers in Christ, not the least of which are those who make up the diaconate of May Memorial Baptist Church.