MINISTRY TO MEMBERS
THE ROLES OF DEACONS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

At Indian Springs Baptist Church, our ministry emphasis defines the traditional role of Deacons and recognizes the practical reality of the role of the Sunday School Class in ministering to church members.

In a very real sense, our Adult Sunday School Classes minister to class members with practical, emotional and spiritual support in times of need, grief and other significant life events.  Most of the time, members who have needs do not think to let their Deacon know what is happening. Consequently, the Deacon discovers the need after it is too late to help. 

Traditionally, each Deacon was assigned about 20 families and conversely each family has one Deacon assigned to them.  In our present emphasis, each family would have all Deacons assigned to provide ministry, as it is needed. 

You may ask, “Who is my Deacon?”
The answer is simply “All the active Deacons.”  

Each week, two Deacons are assigned “Deacon On Call” responsibilities and will be expected to provide needed ministry during that week.  The Deacon on Call duties are given below.  Of course, families should feel free to call upon any Deacon (at any time) in our church for help as they have needs.  The Deacons On Call are identified in the worship service Bulletin each week. 

SPECIAL EMPHASIS will be provided for our senior members and those persons on the Shut-In care list.  All members, age 70 and older, and each person on our Shut-In list will be assigned a Deacon for this special emphasis.  Letters, identifying the assigned Deacons, will be sent to each family who are included in this seniors and Shut-Ins ministry emphasis. 

Deacon on Call Duties
1.   Both Deacons will participate with Ministerial Staff, when needed, to visit and encourage families in times of crisis or difficulty.
2.      The Deacon on Call will lead the Church in prayer prior to our worship-through-giving time.
3.   The Deacon on Call will assist the Pastor during the invitation time to pray with people, share God’s Plan of Salvation, fill out any needed paperwork, clear the front pew and altar area as necessary, etc. as directed by the pastor.
4.  Both Deacons will be available for Visitation to follow up on visitors who attended the past Sunday.
5.  The Deacon on Call will assist members of the Stewardship Committee in tallying and securing the weekly offering receipts.

MINISTRY EMPHASIS FOR DEACONS

Three areas have been identified as most important for our Deacons.  These are
Crisis Ministry,  Ministry to Shut-Ins and  Ministry to Senior Adults.

Crisis Ministry   This ministry is currently under general duties of deacons.  We will move the emphasis focus to the Deacons on Call and assign it a Priority 1.

Ministry to Shut-Ins   Church members who are not able to attend church have needs of on-going contact with the church and will benefit from fellowship and ministry to their physical and spiritual needs.  The church maintains a members list of those who are not mobile enough to attend church.  Deacons have been assigned to minister to these members and will develop a ministry plan to meet their needs.  The assigned Deacon may handle this ministry directly or he may involve other people with special gifts and skills to assist him.

Ministry to Senior Adults  Many of our members, because of age, are less involved in active ministries of their own and have growing needs to receive ministry from others in the church.  Deacons will be assigned to members past the age of 70 years.  Appropriate ministry plans will be developed for each family unit in this focus group.  Additionally, special needs of senior members who are less than age 70 will be taken into account and those with these special needs will also be included in the focus group.

As a result of this realignment of duties and re-focus of priorities, the general duties for our Deacons and, more specifically, the Deacon on Call duties have been revised.

The general duties of ISBC Deacons are identified as follows:

1.  Develop and carry out Ministry Plans for assigned members with special needs (Shut-Ins and Seniors).

2.  Communicate member needs to appropriate ministry group in the Church.

3.  Pray regularly for assigned church members.

4.  Communicate church beliefs, doctrines, and programs to members when asked.

5.   Deacons are called upon to serve as Deacons on Call on a rotational basis.  Two deacons are designated each week.