Diaconal Assistants

As Downtown Pres has grown, we’ve sought to find better and better ways to love and lead our church family. The newest way is through the addition of Diaconal Assistants, a role we introduced to DPC in February, 2021.

What are Diaconal Assistants?

The Book of Church Order in the PCA has provided for this kind of role all along (read more here). You may have even attended a PCA church in the past that already had Diaconal Assistants in place. 

Essentially, this is a group of godly women and men working alongside the Deacons in their practical service to the congregation. Diaconal Assistants are not officers of the church and are not ordained, but are appointed by the Session and commissioned for their work .

Within our group of Diaconal Assistants, the women appointed will be called “Deaconesses,” and any men appointed will be called “Deacon Assistants”.

Who are our first DEACONESSES?

Jane Brice, Logan Chandler, Wanda Justus, Lindsay Neely, and Kim Prince.

These members were selected because of how well they fit the description for this role: godly and caring. They were also selected because they know DPC well and can easily step into this role. 

What can we expect next?

The Deaconesses have already started attending monthly Diaconate meetings and have worked with the Deacons to identify specific ways they can tangibly serve DPC. The Session will be learning more about how this group can effectively serve our church over the next six months, and will then evaluate and establish policies for going forward (length of term, future selection process, etc).