Wilshire’s deacons are men and women who have been called out from among the congregation to fulfill a special role of servanthood. The deacon body at Wilshire is not so much a deliberative or decision-making body as a team of servants and a sounding board for guiding the church’s ministries.
Deacons are lay members who serve in all areas of the church—as teachers, committee members, care givers and worship leaders—but take on additional responsibilities as ambassadors for the common good of the church. Deacons serve the Lord’s Supper in Sunday morning worship each month. Deacons are the first to make personal contact with first-time visitors to worship. Deacons set the example in caring for children in extended worship care. Deacons serve the Lord’s Supper to the homebound. And deacons listen to and give guidance to the pastoral staff of the church.
Wilshire’s maintains an active deacon body of about 50 people at all time. Deacons serve three-year terms and then join the ranks of the Fellowship of the Ordained, or inactive deacons, until they are called to active duty again. Each year, the Deacon Nominating recommends five or six candidates for ordination. Upon approval of the church body, these new deacons join the ranks of a number of returning deacons to form the active body for that year.
Information for Wilshire Deacons:
January 2012 Deacon Service Schedule (pdf)
Please note which service you are to serve as Deacon of the Service, Security and Ambassador. If you are unable to serve please find a substitute, then contact Debby Burton with changes at 214-452-3132.
Deacon Meeting 2012 Schedule (pdf)
Wilshire Deacons:
Welcome, Wilshire Deacon
Thank you for agreeing to serve as a deacon for Wilshire Baptist Church. You have been selected to serve in this capacity because you have demonstrated leadership and faithfulness in the life of our church and have now been called by God to continue and expand your ministry.
As gifts and talents of individual deacons vary, so ministries of deacons will vary. As a deacon you are called to be an example for the church family by:
Commitment to Christ (Acts 6:3, 5 and I Timothy 3:8, 9, 10, 11-13)
- with prayer, seeking His will personally and in behalf of the church.
- genuine and growing Christian experience.
- recognition of His gospel as the ultimate answer to all the needs of our world.
- leadership in promoting maturity, Christian understanding, sound judgment in the practical issues of life as well as unity in the church.
- trustworthy stewardship of spiritual and material gifts.
- a balance in home time and home relationships with active participation in church activities.
- faithfulness to responsibilities, with a positive attitude toward the pastor and staff in pastoral ministry and all interests of the church.
- integrity and ethical conduct as well as temperateness in personal behavior.
- boldness, insight, and experience in leading Wilshire Baptist Church to become more and more a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
What, then, does a Wilshire deacon do? He or she will continue to teach, serve on committees, visit the sick, and give service wherever there is a need. The level of spiritual commitment to Christ and a vision for His church in this place should grow enormously from the deeper interaction with our pastor, staff, and fellow deacons.
Term of service: Three years. May be recalled by New Deacon Committee after one year of inactivity.
Basic responsibilities:
1. Attendance at deacons’ meeting
a. Monday (usually the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.)
b. Meal is offered at 6:30 p.m. ($7); reservations required
c. Meeting place: Community Hall
d. No meetings scheduled during July or December
e. September fellowship – deacon and spouse social
2. Serve Lord’s Supper
a. All active deacons are expected to participate in Lord’s Supper service
which is usually the first Sunday of each month. If you cannot serve you
must find a substitute from the Fellowship of the Ordained list.
b. Occasional assignments for Homebound Communion (explanation and
sign up at deacons meeting)
3. Deacon Security Responsibility (rotation)
a. Assignments received at deacons meeting
b. See Security Guidelines for responsibilities
c. Sunday morning security is at 11:00 (two deacons assigned each week) and is usually 3-4 times a year
d. Sunday evening is at 6:30 pm; male deacons only (no more than once in a year)
4. Deacon of the Service (rotation)
a. Assignments received at deacons meeting
b. See Deacon of the Service guidelines for responsibility information
c. Usually 2-3 times a year
5. Ambassador Ministry (rotation)
a. Developed through Key Priority 2 of the 5 year strategic plan
b. See Ambassador Ministry Highlights for responsibility information
c. Usually 3-4 times a year
6. Worship Care (rotation)
a. Quarterly assignments received from deacon coordinator for worship care
Worship Leadership
A rotating schedule is prepared for all active deacons to participate as Deacon of the Service with a platform responsibility. You will have adequate notice of which Sunday you will serve. To help you prepare you will be mailed an order of worship from the music office prior to the Sunday you are to serve which will indicate how you will participate in worship. Your effective leadership is a vital factor in our worship experience. Meet on the second floor (just outside the music office) for seating arrangements and instructions 15 minutes prior to the service. All worship participants are asked to sit on the platform (choir members can remain in the choir loft and move forward at the appropriate time).
Pulpit Etiquette
The following instructions are intended to foster an atmosphere of worship, to ensure some uniformity among worship leaders, and to help you feel more comfortable on the chancel.
Chancel seating puts you in full view of the congregation. Worship leaders should sit straight, giving attention to the speaker or music, being careful not to cross their legs or lean over with elbows on knees.
Dress is important; please plan ahead. Keep in mind that the chancel is elevated when choosing the style and length of your attire. Solids are preferable to bold prints. Men should wear suits with ties rather than sports coats or open collars. Women should wear professional attire and avoid short skirts or skirts with splits that will make it difficult to sit gracefully.
Timing between worship elements is important to the flow of the service. Be ready to move to the pulpit or microphone as soon as the person or group before you concludes. There are occasions when a pause or silence is appropriate; in most cases, however, one element leads to the next, and worship leaders should be prepared to move. Those leaders coming from the choir area should begin moving to the platform before the previous element has concluded rather than keeping the congregation waiting.
Prayers
Introducing your prayer: It is not always necessary to call the congregation to prayer verbally, as the preceding element often prepares for the prayer which follows. If you feel it is necessary, however, a simple preparatory statement such as “let us pray” or “may we pray” is sufficient to initiate a spirit of corporate meditation.
The language of corporate prayer: Avoid usage of first person pronouns (I, me, my, etc.), as the plural form is more appropriate to the setting. For instance: “We offer our prayers in Jesus’ name.” Please end by saying, “Amen,” so that worshipers will know the prayer has concluded.
Types of prayers: Worship leaders may be called upon to offer prayers of invocation, dedication, or benediction (see below). Although it may be tempting to cover other worthy topics, please keep in mind the specific purpose of each prayer in the service as a whole. Careful consideration of what has preceded or will follow might give direction to the language of your prayer.
- Invocation: The invocation is a brief opening prayer in which we acknowledge God’s presence and offer to God adoration and praise. The task of the worship leader is to center our attention on the worship of God and lead us to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive from God.
- Dedication: This is a specific prayer that God will honor our gifts and use our offerings for God’s glory. It may include a statement of thanksgiving for God’s gifts, a reference to the use of our resources, the dedication of our lives, and other matters of stewardship.
- Benediction: The prayer of benediction (literally, “good word”) is a simple statement of blessing, hope, or mission pronounced over the congregation. It is brief by definition and may be spoken with arms outstretched, as if to embrace the people of God.
Readings
Scripture reading is vital to worship at Wilshire. Our services contain at least two passages of Scripture that are chosen carefully each week.
Translation: Readers must use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, which is printed in the worship order. A copy of your passage in the NRSV translation is enclosed.
Public reading: Please familiarize yourself with the assigned verses to ensure the most effective reading in corporate worship. Read slowly and boldly with expression. It is a good idea to practice reading the passage aloud several times before the service.
The Pulpit: Please carry your Bible with you to the pulpit for the reading of Scripture, even if you insert and read from the enclosed copy, so that congregants make a visual connection between the spoken word and the biblical text.
Introducing the reading: Readings should be introduced from the pulpit by a simple statement, such as: “Our Old Testament reading is from the book of Deuteronomy,” or simply, “A reading from Deuteronomy.” After your introduction, pause to give congregants a moment to find the Scripture. [Note: Selected texts may be referred to more specifically as readings from the prophets, the gospels, or the epistles, as in “a reading from the prophet, Isaiah,” “the gospel of Matthew,” or “the epistle to the Romans.”]
Gospel reading: If your passage is from one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), ask the congregation to stand after introducing the reading. At the conclusion of the Gospel passage, lead the people in the response printed in the order of service:
Leader: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Then motion for the congregation to be seated.
Again, these are merely suggestions that will help to enhance our corporate worship. Your own creativity is valued as you think about your specific responsibility in the service.
As you enter the service, please do so with your heart and your mind already centered on the worship of God.
Security Guidelines
Two deacons are scheduled during the morning service and one during the evening service. Deacons involved in choir are exempt from 11:00 a.m. duty. Women are exempt from evening duty. Ushers are available to help provide assistance during the morning services.
All interior doors on the second floor, third floor, and Youth Center, as well as exterior doors to the north alley, Abrams Road from the north wing, and Springside, should be locked during the services.
Hall Security (morning and night)
- Walk halls and check for suspicious activities
- Be certain the second and third floors are clear and that all doors are locked. (If doors are not locked, check with the custodian on duty about the room schedule)
- Check rest rooms, Youth Center, and Community Hall to make sure no one is loitering who should be in the service. Greet and question anyone walking the halls after the worship service has started. A polite offer to assist people will generally give you the information you need
- Walk through the preschool area often. Take a moment to meet the people working in this area, and be alert to anyone who does not appear to have reason to be in this area
- If you see children or youth entering a restroom without adults, remain in the area until they have returned to the worship service or left the building
- If a person is seeking financial help, please stay with the person until after the service. Take the person to the church office and wait for the minister of missions. The minister of missions is the only person authorized to give aid to persons in this circumstance. Be aware that many con artists are very familiar with church life and will seek help during the worship times when one might be more likely to give help without adequate checking. If the minister of missions is not available, ask the person to return on Monday. Rarely does a circumstance warrant going around our normal channels of help, but if you feel it does, please feel free to provide the help you deem is appropriate. Please do not involve other staff members unless you feel the situation is out of your control
Evening Duty
- Follow the above procedures for the second and third floors and north wing of the first floor
- Walk between the preschool area and the chapel or sanctuary, and be especially visible in the preschool area
In case of an emergency requiring fire, police, or ambulance service, call 911.
Ambassador Ministry Highlights
Basis
Through intentional steps of hospitality, an ambassador of Wilshire welcomes the first-time visitor (to church and/or Sunday school) through a face-to-face encounter. The ambassador seeks to visit the guest of our church within hours of the morning worship service.
Priorities of this ministry: express a warm welcome (after the fact) to Wilshire and Invite worshiper back for next service or gathering.
Plan
Four Ambassadors are assigned each Sunday:
- 1 -- 8:30 Deacon of the Service
- 2 -- 11:00 Deacons of Security
- 1 -- 11:00 Choir member
Ambassadors meet in the front office for assignments. Feel free to stop by the office on any Sunday to see if help is needed. Guest bags for 8:30 ambassadors will be ready by 10:00 am and 11:00 am following the worship service. Each ambassador will obtain the visitor information along with a guest bag.
The ambassador then attempts to:
- make a brief visit to the guest(s) at his/her home
- leave information with the guest and expression of welcome. A blank card is provided on the bag if the guest is not home for the purpose of leaving a note.
- notify Debby Burton (214-452-3132) with a report of your contact
Benefits
- pervasive awareness is developed by members to be keenly aware of guests
- spirit of teamwork grows: ambassador teams (from the deaconate at this point) as they minister together
Guide for Homebound Communion
The deacons will work with the Home Visitation Committee to schedule homebound communion once or twice a year.
Once an assignment use these guidelines:
- call your assigned homebound member to set up a date for Communion
- after the date has been set call (214-452-3132) or e-mail Debby in the church office to reserve a Communion kit (she will prepare the elements and have the kit ready for you to pick up)
- after you have made your homebound visit discard any remaining elements, clean the kit and return the kit to Debby
- this script that may be helpful: Hello, our names are _________________. We’ve come to share the Lord’s Supper with you. The congregation observed the Lord’s Supper this morning. They sent us as deacons to share it with you as an extension of our worship service. (Extend the physical touch of a gentle handshake.)
The reading before passing the Bread: 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
The giving of the Bread (Pass the tray so all are served.)
The prayer of thanksgiving for the Bread
A thanksgiving for the gifts of creation and for this bread, symbol of Christ’s body broken for us. Also a prayer that Christ come near as we partake.
The taking of the Bread
Say: “Do this in remembrance of me.”
The reading before the Cup: 1 Corinthians 11:25
The sharing of the Cup (Offer a cup so all are served.)
The prayer of thanksgiving for the Cup
Thanksgiving for the gifts of redemption, the church, and the new covenant of forgiveness.
The taking of the Cup
“Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Closing prayer:
“Dear God, we thank you for (use name of person) and pray your blessing on them. We pray that your love, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with them forever and ever. Amen.”
Good-byes:
Thank them for letting you come by and ask if the church can minister to them in any other way. Extend the touch of a hand-shake or hug, whichever seems appropriate.
For more info: Debby Burton, Assistant to the Senior Pastor and Minister for Care Ministries 214-452-3132
