diaconate
learn more about the
diaconate team
The women and men of our Diaconate seek to contribute to the building of a repentant and rejoicing community through loving, truth-telling relationships. In addition to tending to practical, visible needs of others, they lead others to encounter Jesus in the midst of suffering. Church members can nominate deacons and deaconesses.
what we do
The Diaconate is a ministry of mercy serving our congregants who are in crisis or in challenging circumstances by offering help in assessing their needs and working together with them to find solutions. Unlike elders, who are responsible for teaching the gospel, administering healing prayer and overseeing the church, the Diaconate focuses on deed ministry by extending mercy and compassion.
God’s mercy moves him to relieve suffering and misery. Mercy is the impulse that makes us sensitive to hurts and lacks in others and makes us desire to alleviate them. Our purpose is to show God’s love and mercy by trying to help people out of difficult circumstances and to be facilitators of the work God is doing in their lives.
how we help
Church members and regular attenders can receive help in many ways. Below are a few examples:
- Financial assistance for basic living expenses (rent, food, utilities, medical, etc.)
- Subsidies for Redeemer Counseling Services
- Prayer, spiritual guidance and accountability
- Biblical stewardship and budgeting guidance
- Connection to support services throughout the city
We respect the confidentiality of the people from the moment they seek help. We refer to them as “clients” but we regard them fully as sisters and brothers in Christ. Our goal is to see a client’s situation change over time until the client no longer requires our assistance. Deacons and deaconesses commonly guide clients to manage their budgets responsibly, plan for the future, seek employment, resolve conflicts, mend relationships, seek God’s community, and know and obey God in all areas of their lives. We hope that as clients grow closer to the Lord, they will find the strength, wisdom and grace to experience deeply changed lives.
The Diaconate is funded entirely by the donations of individuals at Redeemer West Side. We are, therefore, accountable to the congregation to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us through his people. Because our funding is limited, we direct financial support to the neediest within the congregation.
request care
If you are a member or regular attender of Redeemer West Side, please complete and submit the form below to request care. We want to support you in this time of need. The information your share with us will be kept confidential and a Diaconate staff member will reach out within the next 36 hours. Depending on your request, the staff member will help connect you with a pastoral staff member and/or a member of one of our Neighborhood Care Teams.
Please understand, due to limited resources, we are not able to fulfill all requests for assistance but each request will be considered.
