What are deacons?
At Church at The Mill, deacons are servant leaders who support the mission and ministry of our church by meeting practical needs, providing spiritual leadership and encouragement, and assisting the pastors in caring for the church body. The role of a deacon is rooted in Scripture and is an important part of how we care for and disciple our church family.
What do deacons do?
Our deacons serve the church in several key ways:
- Providing Care – Deacons reach out to those in need within our church family, including shut-ins, senior adults, widows, the sick, and those facing hardship.
- Supporting Church Ministries – Deacons come alongside the various ministries of CATM to provide practical and spiritual assistance.
- Church Direction – Deacons work closely with our pastors, providing wisdom and insight on the direction, future, and finances of our church.
- Encouraging Unity – Deacons work to support and strengthen the unity of the church body.
We expect deacons to be role models of leadership in the church. Deacons at Church at The Mill should Gather, Grow, Give and Go in the following ways:
GATHER
for worship and fellowship
- Consistently attend and fully participate in worship with their families.
- Be an active part of a small group.
GROW
through time with God and others in discipleship
- Spend time with the Lord every day through prayer, the Word, meditation, and journaling.
- Disciple someone or be discipled.
GIVE
as servants of our time and stewards of our resources
- Give financially to Church at The Mill using the tithe (10%) as a beginning place.
- Serve in ministry.
GO
in our everyday lives and world with the message of the gospel
- Share their faith on a weekly basis.
- Go on mission trips each year.
- Should not be a new convert. He must be a mature believer who has been a member of Church at The Mill for at least one year. (1 Timothy 3:6)
- Should live a life led by the Holy Spirit and this should be evident in his language, actions, and relationships. (Acts 6:3)
- Should have a reputation of respect and integrity among both the congregation where he worships and community where he lives. (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:8)
- Should have nothing to do with sinful criticism or gossip. His words should be truthful and edifying to anyone inside or outside of the church. (1 Timothy 3:12)
- Should be a faithful steward of his time, gifts and finances. His time should be managed so he can lead the church in service and attendance. His gifts should be used to strengthen the church. His giving to the church should begin with 10% of his income (the tithe) and grow from there. (Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Timothy 3:8)
- Should be a "one-woman man." His life should be characterized by sexual purity. If he is single, he must practice sexual abstinence. If he is married, the pattern of his married life must be one of uncompromising faithfulness to his wife. (1 Timothy 3:12)
- Should be the spiritual leader of his home and manage his family in a way that reflects the love of Christ and obedience to the word of God. (1 Timothy 3:12)
- If he is married, his wife should be faithful in her walk with God and supportive of the ministry of her husband and the church. Her speech should be encouraging and edifying to the church. (1 Timothy 3:11)
- Should be a man of self-control keeping his body clean and pure of anything that would hinder or damage the testimony of his faith and his church (1 Timothy 3:8)
- Finally, he should be a man who loves to serve and desires to tell people about the love of Jesus Christ with his words and his actions. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Nominate a deacon
If you are a member at Church at The Mill and know someone who meets the biblical qualifications of a deacon and has a heart for serving, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Click below to complete the nomination form electronically.