Deacon Minist= ry Newsletter

January, 2005 Edi= tion

By Eddie Hammett= – Deacon Consultant,

Author of Mak= ing the Church Work

Nat= ional CBF Partnership to Resource Deacons

= This edition launches an exci= ting partnership with National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. You will be able to find mon= thly newsletters online at http://www.thefellows= hip.info/church%20life/ . These newsletters will focus on practical helps to help deacons in their servant ministry in the church and community. We are also compiling a collection= of my writings entitled Deacon Ministr= y in the Missional Church which will be available soon. I look forward to our partnership adventures. (See more about me at www.transfo= rmingsolutions.org/biography.html )

Revitalizing Your Deacon Ministry in 2005

Happy New Year! God has given us all another opportunity to improve our service to the church, the community, the saved, the lost, the seekers and the searchers. What are your plans to revitalize your deacon ministry in 2005?

Consider….

What’s worked for you in the past y= ear?
What has not been effective in the past?<= o:p>
What are you willing to do to make 2005 a= more effective, fulfilling deacon ministry experience for you and those you= are called to serve?

Suggestions for Revitalizing Your Deacon Ministry

Keep your deacon ministry balanced between those inside the church walls and those outside the church walls.

Coach Question: What % of your time, energy and money do you want to go to each?

Keep the deacon meeting agenda focused on ministry objectives and keep it balanced in light of your responses in question one.

Coach Question: What will it take t= o keep your agenda balanced?

Incorporate a period of training in each = deacon meeting that is designed to help raise the effectiveness of ministry.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Share reflections of readings, experiences and my deacon newsletters. Have each to register at www.transformingsolutio= ns.org to receive monthly constant contacts.

Coach Question: What will keep you focused on improving effectiveness?

Enlist each deacon to pray daily for spec= ific issues

Coach Question: How can deacons sha= re their prayer experiences with each other and the congregation?

Encourage and affirm the positive moves i= n a deacon’s ministry rather than sending them on ‘guilt trips’ because of what they have not done.

Coach Question: How can the deacons practice and model affirmation and encouragement during their meetings and before the congregation?

You can find additional biographical information on me on my personal website www.transformingsolutions.or= g You will also find a listing of my= three books (published by Smyth & Helwys) dealing with moving the church into effective and relevant ministry in the 21^st Century. Many other coaching and resource information on various models of deacon ministry.

Why not download this as a discussion tool for you next deacon meeting?