Handbook For Deacons

To help readers discover what the Scriptures say about the duty of a deacon, O'Donnell explores the biblical basis for these servants of God, giving relevant application to the works they are to perform.

Deacons serve God's people and God's church in so many ways. They assess needs, promote stewardship and hospitality, collect and disburse resources, confront injustice, and develop programs of assistance. Whether you're a seasoned deacon or someone who's new to church leadership, this handbook will help you perform your duties with efficiency and compassion in a way that shows the love of God to those around you. The Deacon's Handbook is a book every deacon should own and use.

After nineteen years in print and over 200,000 copies sold, Broadman & Holman is publishing an updated edition of Deacons: Servant Models in the Church. Henry Webb deals with every aspect of the roles and offices of deacons in the church, including the deacon's marriage, wife, children, family life, conduct, priorities, and other pertinent aspects of deacons as role models of servant leadership in the church.

Winner of a 2022 Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Award: Resources for Ministry (Third Place). Whether you are seasoned from years of ministry or are just getting started living out the vows you made at ordination, this essential handbook will provide the spiritual and practical support you need as a Catholic deacon in the Church today. In Our Life of Service, international speaker and bestselling author Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers will inspire and uplift you as he and his brother deacons—including Greg Kandra, Larry Oney, Dominic Cerrato, and Thomas J. Fox—share their testimonies and insights about how to serve God with determination, faith, and vision. Burke-Sivers explains the gift of the diaconate as a living image of Christ the Servant in the world, a source of comfort and hope at a time when both are in short supply. Burke-Sivers explores the daily realities of life to answer important questions about the diaconate such as: What does the Church teach about the purpose of this ministry both within the parish and the world? How are the three key responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying, and leading entrusted to a deacon at ordination practiced in daily life? How does his commitment to his wife help a married deacon balance his duties to his family and ministry? What are practical strategies and solutions for the challenges deacons face, especially when conflicts arise within ministry? Burke-Sivers also calls for younger, more diverse groups of men who reflect on the face of the Church to become permanent deacons in order to bridge the gap between the Church and the world and to reach the unchurched. Each chapter contains questions for reflection, action steps, and prayers to help deacons strengthen their own commitment to their calling. Drawing from the writings of St. John Paul II and other ecclesial writings about the purpose and gift of the permanent diaconate, Burke-Sivers educates and inspires us to more fully appreciate this gift and enriches and encourages those who have themselves answered this call. Written for deacons in active ministry, Our Life of Service is also inspiring reading for Catholics in the pew who are considering a call or who simply want to understand the purpose and gift of the permanent diaconate.

The Deacon’s Handbook is more than just a resource for those serving as deacons and those who aspire to be one. The fact is that you don’t have to be a deacon to apply principles that God would smile upon. The wisdom in this handbook transcends sex, age, and educational background. In other words, it may be geared for deacons, but it can benefit anyone. Leonard Gillams, a longtime ordained deacon, observes that while no one is perfect, how we behave informs ourselves, others, and God Himself on how we are measuring up to His Holy standards. He considers questions such as: How did the deacon’s ministry develop? How can a deacon effectively interact with a congregation? How can a deacon build a strong spiritual foundation from which to serve the church? The author emphasizes that just as God holds deacons responsible for the churches they serve, He also expects them to take care of their families. Get guidance to succeed at church and at home with wisdom steeped in Scripture and firsthand experience.

This book comes straight from the heart of a pastor who has had deacons for breakfast, dinner, and supper for as long as he can remember. The son of a Baptist minister, Dr. Naylor was influenced from childhood by men in this noble office of divine origin. His own twenty-five years in the Baptist ministry and his successful work with deacons in many churches, large and small, well qualify him to write this long needed book.