Diaconate

Who We Are

The Diaconate — a group of men (deacons) and women (deaconesses) who are nominated, trained, elected and appointed by Redeemer elders and members — exists to contribute to the building of a repentant and rejoicing community through loving, truth-telling relationships where practical, visible needs are being met while hearts are being changed through encounters with Jesus and one another. We express in practical ways Christ’s command to all believers to love our neighbor as ourselves.

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What We Do

The Diaconate is a ministry of mercy that reaches out to people in REH’s congregation who are in crisis or in challenging circumstances and offers help in assessing their needs and working together to find solutions. Unlike elders, who are responsible for teaching the gospel, administering healing prayer and overseeing the church, the Diaconate focuses on deeds ministry by extending mercy and compassion.
 

God’s mercy moves him to relieve suffering and misery. Mercy is the impulse that makes us sensitive to hurts and lacks in others and makes us desire to alleviate them. Our purpose is to show God’s love and mercy by trying to help people out of difficult circumstances and to be facilitators of the work God is doing in their lives.

Deacons and deaconesses:
 

• Practically assist and encourage Redeemer members and regular attenders who are in challenging circumstances.

• Pray, answer questions and give counsel after all Redeemer services.

• Conduct church membership interviews.

• Conduct various other administrative and operational tasks and roles.

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Our Core Values and Beliefs

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Gospel

As Christians, we are commanded to love our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37).
Because of God’s great mercy to us, we offer mercy to our brothers and sisters (Matthew 5:7; 1 Timothy 1:12-14; James 2:12-18; Micah 6:8).

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Community

We are to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction (Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:15-20; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12-13).

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Changed people

If there are any poor among the body, we are to respond generously with grace, mercy and truth to meet their needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Acts 2:44-45; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 1:3-11).

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How We Help

Church members and regular attenders can receive help in many ways. Below are a few examples:

• Financial assistance for basic living expenses (rent, food, utilities, medical, etc.)

• Subsidies for Redeemer Counseling Services

• Care groups for difficult life events such as divorce and aging

• Prayer, spiritual guidance and accountability

• Prepared meals for congregants with special circumstances

• Biblical stewardship and budgeting guidance

• Links to support services throughout the city
   

From the moment we first meet our clients (we call them clients but they are our sisters and brothers in Christ), we are focused on helping someone who is undergoing hardship. We acknowledge that the only one we truly lean on in order to accomplish this is Jesus Christ and that we are unable to effectively help anyone spiritually or otherwise without him. We offer practical help in a number of ways, including helping the client get connected with available resources, assisting with counseling, helping with budgeting, providing emotional and spiritual support, and extending financial aid.

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Our client work is temporary and short-term in nature; that is, our goal is to see a client’s situation change over time until the client no longer requires our assistance. Deacons and deaconesses generally work towards this end by guiding clients to manage their budgets responsibly, plan for the future, seek employment, resolve conflicts, mend relationships, seek God’s community, and know and obey God in all areas of their lives. We hope that as clients grow closer to the Lord, they will find the strength, wisdom and grace to experience deeply changed lives.

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The Diaconate is funded entirely by the donations of individuals at REH. We are, therefore, accountable to the congregation to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us through his people. Because our funding is limited, we direct financial support to the most prominent needs within the congregation.