Service is the pathway to spiritual greatness. The deaconry is not a title, but rather a towel and a basin. They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.— 1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)
The Deaconry Department of the Maravile SDA Church is a biblically ordained ministry dedicated to serving the congregation in practical and spiritual ways. Rooted in the example of Jesus Christ, who “came not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28), deacons and deaconesses are called to be the “right hands” of the pastor and elders in caring for the physical needs of the church and its members.
According to the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, the work of deacons and deaconesses is multi-faceted and essential to the local church. Their responsibilities include:
- Assisting with Church Services – Welcoming worshippers, preparing for baptisms and the Communion service, and ensuring the smooth flow of worship.
- Caring for Church Property – Maintaining the cleanliness, comfort, and readiness of the sanctuary and grounds.
- Visiting Members – Supporting the sick, the elderly, the bereaved, and those in need; reclaiming missing members.
- Serving at Ordinances – Preparing basins, towels, and water for the foot-washing service; assisting baptismal candidates.
- Aiding the Poor – Administering church funds for the relief of the unfortunate.
The office of deacon is a sacred calling, established in the early church (Acts 6:1–8). While the work of the deaconry is deeply practical, it is also profoundly spiritual. Deacons are soul-winners, witnesses for Jesus, and extensions of His loving service to the world.