Deacon Ministry

“Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women.” Ephesians 6:7

In the Church of the Brethren, deacon ministry is a vital and significant expression of our caregiving ministries to individuals and families. The 1997 Annual Conference statement, “Deacon Ministry in the Church of the Brethren,” states the vision for a deacon ministry in the church as follows:

“Deacons are called to be dedicated caregivers who use their spiritual gifts in a shared ministry of concern for the total well-being of God’s people. Deacons are to be Christ-like, welcoming, nurturing, reconciling, sensitive to the presence of God’s spirit in their lives and in the lives of others, witnessing for Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord within and beyond the Body of Christ, the church.”

The goal of the Deacon Ministry is to provide encouragement, support, and resources to deacons and caregivers of all sorts in the Church of the Brethren’s congregations and District Offices. Please take a moment to browse through our pages (listed to the left.)

End-of-life decision making: video resource available

“Unexpected travels in healing call for multiple Samaritans on modern Jericho roads”

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

2011 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) keynote presenters Curtis W. Dubble and David E. Fuchs, MD, tell the touching and powerful story of the Dubble family's experience as Curtis' late wife Anna Mary suffered brain damage following a heart attack. Dubble and Fuchs speak frankly about the need for having and communicating advance directives, the importance of developing a strong support system of caregivers, and how crucial a life of faith and prayer is during difficult times.