Baptist Deacon Fellowship Ideas
The Baptist Church employs deacons to assist the pastor in caring for church members by visiting the sick, evangelizing, assisting with financial issues and performing church administration (see Reference 1). Many Baptist churches employ predominantly male deacons, although the early Christian Phoebe served as a deaconess in the Cenchreae church in Romans 16:1 (see Reference 4). The Bible outlines the requirements for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (see Reference 3). Deacon fellowships provide opportunities for deacons, and sometimes their families, to socialize.
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Potluck Dinners
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Deacons and their families may fellowship together at a potluck dinner. Families can visit for a while and then perhaps team up for a baseball game or movie. Deacons may gather at the Baptist church or at the home of a fellow deacon, if there is room. Alternatively, the male deacons can grill the meat while the women prepare the side dishes. Kids can assist with setting up tables and chairs and with the cleanup following the meal. Adults may engage in one activity while the children and youth segregate by ages for activities.
Retreats
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Some Baptist deacons participate in an annual retreat to plan the budget and church calendar for the coming year. Slipping away from family and friends provides an opportunity to tune out other responsibilities and concerns and fully focus on the business at hand. The pastor should accompany the deacons on retreat so that the priorities and activities coordinate well with other church business and activities. Bible study time, prayer, meals and recreation can add to the spirit of community during the retreat and allow the deacons and pastor to return to the church refreshed, renewed and ready to work.
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Bible Study
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Baptist deacons commit to assisting the pastor in most areas except preaching, although some make excellent Sunday school and Bible teachers. Bible study brings deacons together to share their knowledge and understanding of the faith. In doing so, they set an example for other church members. During the Bible study they can pray for the pastor and the church, bringing into focus the needs of those they serve. (See References 1 and 2.)
Game Nights
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Everyone needs a little recreation, and deacons and their families are no exception. Baptist deacon fellowship game night can include various kinds of games like church baseball and other athletic, trivia and board games. Families participate in the activities and enjoy one another's company. The sense of community improves the ability of the deacons to work together on church concerns.
Church Work Days
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Deacons understand that the church campus has upkeep needs. The Baptist deacons can assemble for a work day to quickly and efficiently take care of routine maintenance tasks, such as lawn care, minor building repairs and spring cleaning. The pastor may direct which projects he believes have top priority.
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References
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