I have a group of dear and godly sisters called 'deaconess' in the church I'm honored to pastor, The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist). This Fellowship of Deaconess was without relevant guidelines, as we were assessing the leadership directives of our church. Some of them ventured out to the bookstores and even consulted our state and national conventions only to find one thinly prepared work specifically for them. To my dismay, that booklet did no more than wet their spiritual appetites.Knowing they wished for more, I have taken pen in hand, and seek in this work to broaden the available literature of this worthy ministry. The Ministry Of A Deaconess is an outgrowth of satisfying the hunger and thirst for the righteous and practical ministry on the part of the deaconess at The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist). Recognizing that deaconess in The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist) are not the only ones in a local church with that need, I trust this work will fill a void for you.The twenty-first century Church must be a biblically empowered church. The aim of this endeavor is to do just that, examine the wealth of knowledge contained in both the Old and New Testament and provide insight for faithful service. Though based in an historical/biblical review of deaconess, I felt the need to update the ministry deaconess traditionally perform. Meaningful ministry references are made to strengthen sisterhood and female empowerment. As outgrowths of these references, I am associating Deaconess as foremost leaders in Women's Ministries in the local church.This book is a pastoral gift first to the Deaconess of The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist), and then to all of the sisters whose hunger and thirst will be satisfied. After more than forty years in the pastoral ministry and having ministered, worked with and helped to shape ministers to be effective in their called and appointed ministries, I offer this book to the many Ministry Matrons known as Deaconess.Pastor Ronnie D. Joyner, D. Min.September, 2016
I have a group of dear and godly sisters called 'deaconess' in the church I'm honored to pastor, The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist). This Fellowship of Deaconess was without relevant guidelines, as we were assessing the leadership directives of our church. Some of them ventured out to the bookstores and even consulted our state and national conventions only to find one thinly prepared work specifically for them. To my dismay, that booklet did no more than wet their spiritual appetites.Knowing they wished for more, I have taken pen in hand, and seek in this work to broaden the available literature of this worthy ministry. The Ministry Of A Deaconess is an outgrowth of satisfying the hunger and thirst for the righteous and practical ministry on the part of the deaconess at The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist). Recognizing that deaconess in The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist) are not the only ones in a local church with that need, I trust this work will fill a void for you.The twenty-first century Church must be a biblically empowered church. The aim of this endeavor is to do just that, examine the wealth of knowledge contained in both the Old and New Testament and provide insight for faithful service. Though based in an historical/biblical review of deaconess, I felt the need to update the ministry deaconess traditionally perform. Meaningful ministry references are made to strengthen sisterhood and female empowerment. As outgrowths of these references, I am associating Deaconess as foremost leaders in Women's Ministries in the local church.This book is a pastoral gift first to the Deaconess of The Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist), and then to all of the sisters whose hunger and thirst will be satisfied. After more than forty years in the pastoral ministry and having ministered, worked with and helped to shape ministers to be effective in their called and appointed ministries, I offer this book to the many Ministry Matrons known as Deaconess.Pastor Ronnie D. Joyner, D. Min.September, 2016
