The New Testament identifies the office of deacon with the Greek word diakonos, from which the English “deacon” is derived. The Greek word is variously interpreted as “servant, minister, writer, attendant” and in Christian circles has acquired the specialized meaning now attached to “deacon.”
The men who came to be known as the seven deacons of the apostolic church were chosen and ordained to attend to the business of the church. (See Acts 6:1-8.) Their qualifications, slightly less exacting than those of elders, are listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
“The fact that these brethren had been ordained for the special work of looking after the needs of the poor did not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary, they were fully qualified to instruct others in the truth, and they engaged in the work with great earnestness and success.”— AA 90.
Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches.
“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church [deaconess] in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2).
Deaconesses should be chosen for their consecration and other qualifications that fit them for the duties of the office.
The Ministerial Association, in connection with the departments, promotes the training and equipping of deaconesses. However, the pastor, in conjunction with the elder(s), has the primary responsibility for training the deaconesses.
“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church [deaconess] in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2).
Deaconesses should be chosen for their consecration and other qualifications that fit them for the duties of the office.
The Ministerial Association, in connection with the departments, promotes the training and equipping of deaconesses. However, the pastor, in conjunction with the elder(s), has the primary responsibility for training the deaconesses.
Deacons
BADSON MHLANGA (Head) 0775939486
CHENJERAI NYAWO (First Assistant) 0775707698
EDWARD NCUBE
EMBERTON GWENZI
STANLEY NYANZIRA
LAST NYATHI
KUDAKWASHE MAKANGA
GODFREE MJURU
MELULEKI MPOFU
Deaconesses
CYNTHIA SITHOLE (Head) 0713475304
NOKUTHULA MAKUNDAMHUKA (1st Assistant)
BENHILDA MUDZIMIRI (2nd Assistant)
MARGARET SIBANDA
MAONEI NYONI
VIRGINIA NDIWENI
FLORA MPOFU
RUTH NDLOVU
JANE NYONI
PINKLOT MASUKU
ANGELINA MKANDLA
PHEPHISANE TSHUMA
