Serving as Deacons

Tim Keller, whose article I linked to in my last post, is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Here is the description of Redeemer's Diaconate ministry.

The Diaconate, a group of men and women nominated, elected and appointed into the office by the Redeemer 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.

The Diaconate is a ministry that reaches out to people in Redeemer's congregation who are in crisis or 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 officers of the Diaconate (deacons and deaconesses) focus on extending mercy and compassion. Our purpose is to show God's love by trying to help people out of difficult circumstances and to be facilitators of the work God is doing in their lives.