Deacons at Central Presbyterian Church

Changing Role of the Diaconate

During 2000 and 2001, the Diaconate of Central Presbyterian Church, along with a number of other interested members, engaged in a searching discussion of whether to dissolve themselves and change CPC's governance to a single board (the Session).  This discussion was sparked by the Deacons' feeling that the time they spent "being a board of Deacons" was becoming less relevant to the church's work; that an increasing amount of redundant meetings, reporting, and approval cycles was wasteful; and that their time might be better spent just doing the work without the bureaucracy [this explanation is the viewpoint of Susan Richter, who wrote this article].

During the discussions, however, it became clear that the passion for fulfilling that office as described in the Book of Order,

"... one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. ...to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith..."

was still alive and well in the ranks of our Diaconate, and that there was still a very real need for the office of Deacon at CPC.

Accordingly, a plan for recasting the Deacons' role and organization was developed by this task force.  It has been tentatively approved by the Session as of November 2001, and will go into effect (if approved) in January 2002.  The basics of the new plan are these:

There will be 2 classes of Deacons (not 3), with four Deacons per class.  The term for Deacon is 2 years.

The standing Diaconate committees of Property and Fellowship are dissolved, with those duties being reassigned to Session committees.

The primary functions of the Diaconate are:

1. to enhance the caring of one another at Central Presbyterian Church through a systematic contact with the membership, especially in times of need.
2. To provide a program that will build community among the membership.

To achieve these ends, Caring is joined by a new committee, Community Building.