| This is the day that our God has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! In the words of our founder, Rev. Troy Perry, greetings SAINTS! Is the joy of your God giving you strength? I pray that it is so! In this week’s mobi, I wanted to answer a question I have been asked often. What is a deacon? With our beloved Resurrection MCC (RMCC) being a church that is open and affirming of God for God’s creations, many have not had the opportunity to experience the diaconate tradition and practice in a church worship space setting. According to the historical practice mentioned in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:8-13), deacons are to be faithful church servants who have answered the call to serve God’s people. They help with Pastoral Leadership in meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the congregation. They also serve as a trusted source of wisdom and advice. A deacon of the church must be an individual who has not only answered the call to serve, but also shows evidence of good character, spiritual maturity, and is a humble servant of God and God’s people in a volunteer fashion. A member in good standing, or a permanent long-time friend of the RMCC are eligible to serve as a deacon. There is a selection process. Deacons are currently recruited through suggestions from our congregants, which are then shared with our diaconate ministry. There is an application process, followed by a vetting interview with the applicants conducted by the diaconate interview team, which consists of four deacons and one clergy person on staff. From there, deacons will serve a 2-year cohort. Selected deacons will fulfill the 16 open spots or will fill in the spots where deacons have chosen to expire their 2-year term. The diaconate ministry consists of deacons from La Casa de Todos (3) and Resurrection MCC (13). A chair and a co-chair govern the deacons and meet on the first Monday of the month. The 2025-2027 cohort of deacons has been assigned three ministry areas of focus to support our congregation: “Spiritual Development, Outreach” & “Church Presence,” and “Congregational Care.” In addition to these ministry areas, the deacons are assigned zones based on a group of zip codes totaling 10 zones, including our virtual congregants. The zones are designed to ensure that our deacons maintain quarterly communication with our church body. Additionally, deacons are assigned to our different active ministries for pastoral care and support. Now, I know that was much of an explanation. Simply put, we are called and appointed volunteers who are here to meet the needs of the people. You have seen us active during the Easter Season, hosting the Seder Meal, hosting the Houston Pride 365 RMCC Booth, and most recently, hosting a “Tent of Meetup” at the IKEA food court. In December, we will continue to host the annual Christmas Toy Drive. So, you may ask, what’s next for our diaconate ministry? We are in the process of getting the zones defined, and we will reach out to all active members via “snail mail” to introduce ourselves. If you are not an active member yet, you consider RMCC your personal place of worship, and would like to receive attention or pastoral care, please email us via deacons@resurrectionmcc.org. In the immediate future, we will host a meet and greet so that you can know who “YOUR” deacon is. Currently, we can be identified by the adornment of our green stoles, which we wear when serving, or by our name badges. We are also always at the prayer wall, having intercessory prayer, serving communion, serving as greeters, and hanging out in the Gathering Place, speaking to all who pass by. The aforementioned ministry areas are also being designed and planned for the rest of the term and future diaconate activities. We are a friendly bunch, here to respond to our calling and to meet the needs of all who walk through the doors of our church. We also believe and hold true to part of The Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20: “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Parent, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Never be afraid to share who you are as you are led, and feel free to ask for prayer, grief support, or just an inspirational word. We are here to serve you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend, the Holy Spirit, our Comfort, and God, our Creator and Parent. In The Bond of Christ, |
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| Deacon Kedric J. Brown Chair of Deacons, Resurrection MCC, Houston Tx |
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