It has been my privilege to help a number of Southern Baptist churches as a consultant. I have found dedicated servants of God who are deacons in all of those churches.
George DyePractically all of these servant leaders have been supporters of their pastor and involved in ministry. In several of the churches, however, some deacons have burned out because of health reasons and have not been able to carry out their duties. I recommend to churches that do not have a deacon rotation system to consider implementing one. This enables deacons who might need a graceful way of being temporarily relieved of a ministry they cannot effectively engage in for a period of time to step down.
What are the values of a deacon rotation system?
It allows a tactful way to retire people who neither attend meetings nor carry out their responsibilities as a deacon. Many churches have a family ministry plan, but a number of their deacons do not even contact their families or visit them.
A deacon may need a year off of service because of personal circumstances. There may be a crisis in the home. A person’s job may take him away, or his schedule is such that he cannot attend meetings or carry out ministry responsibilities. After several years of service, for health reasons or for taking on too many jobs, a deacon may need a year off for rest and renewal.
Churches that rotate deacons have found it to be more effective and efficient than those with continuous service by deacons. Rotation helps to keep up the morale of the deacon body, and it encourages more dedication and consecration. When there is little or no accountability, persons tend to become lax in carrying out their responsibilities.
A deacon who rotates off after a three- or a four-year term is eligible to serve again after one year. They also can serve on other teams or committees during their off period. They do not need to be inactive.
Rotation says to new people considering joining the church that this church allows qualified new people to be selected for service. It is not a closed system where new members have little opportunity to be allowed to serve.
Rotation also allows the deacon body to reorganize and select teams to carry out responsibilities according to individuals’ spiritual gifts. All of us serve best according to our giftedness. Some ministry teams might include: new member ministry, homebound/nursing home visitation, grief and crisis ministry, hospital ministry, and prospect visitation.
A rotating system allows for many deacons to serve their Lord and their church more effectively.
– Dye, a former South Carolina Baptist Convention president and retired pastor who served churches in South Carolina for many years, is a transitional pastor and church consultant now living in Dacula, Ga.