The Sacred Calling: Devotional for Deaconess Training

Training to serve as a deaconess is a sacred privilege that involves a deep consecration of the soul to minister to the needy, visit the sick, and represent the tender heart of Christ in every act of service.

The Sacredness of Your Calling 🌟

The office of a deaconess is a holy appointment that requires a vital connection with God to be a power for good in the churchEROW 2.6+1. Just as the priests of old were required to wash and clothe themselves in pure garments before entering the sanctuary, those who minister today must realize that cleanliness and holiness are closely connected with acceptable worshipBHY 184.4. Every act, no matter how small, is of vast consequence in the uplifting and sanctifying of the church as you train the soul for eternityPaM 164.3+1.

Following the Example of Christ 🕊️

Jesus stood at the head of humanity as the servant of all, finding His greatest joy in comforting the mourners and soothing the afflictedWM 53.2. This same spirit of sympathy and love should be the foundation of your ministryTSS 85.2. When you engage in these labors of love, you are brought nearest to your Creator and become a partaker of the divine natureSC 79.1.

• Ministering to Needs: You are called to look after the young, visit those in prison or sickbeds, and minister to the necessities of the poorEROW 2.6+1.

• A Succorer of Many: Like Phebe, who was a servant and a helper to many, you are to assist in the business of the church with a spirit of devotion Romans 16:1ARSH July 31, 1856, page 101.19.

• Wisdom and Discretion: When women come to the church with home difficulties or grievances, they should be directed to the deaconesses for counsel, as God has appointed you to bear these burdens with tact and perceptionDG 16.3+1.

A Faith That Works by Love ❤️

The work of God will only be finished when the men and women of the church membership rally together and unite their efforts with the ministersChS 68.1+1. As you serve, remember that the love of Christ must be the power that constrains your actions 2 Corinthians 5:14TDC May 19, 1889, page 5.2. By your benevolent acts, a hallowed influence is exerted that shines as a light to the worldWM 297.1. Seek to be an intelligent Christian, acting your personal part to make the service of God solemn and sacredEv 314.1+1.

Qualifications for Service 📜

• Blameless Character: Those chosen for this office must be of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom Acts 6:3.

• Faithfulness: You should be well reported of for good works, having a heart that diligently follows every good work 1 Timothy 5:10ARSH July 31, 1856, page 101.26.

• Soundness in Faith: It is essential to be settled and grounded in the truth so that you can lead the feet of the straying back to the eternal RockCSW 161.1.

...e recommended the ordination of women who would give themselves to a deaconess-type of work: “Women who are willing to consecrate some of their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should b...— EROW 2.6 (1990)

...ssed.... He was willing to humble Himself, to deny Himself. He did not seek to distinguish Himself. He was the servant of all. It was His meat and drink to be a comfort and a consolation to others, to gladden the sad and heavy-laden one with whom He daily came in contact— WM 53.2 (1952)

...duct the services connected with God's worship, so they are educating and training the people. Little acts that educate and train and discipline the soul for eternity are of vast consequence in the uplifting and sanctifying of the church— Ev 314.1 (1946)

... be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should be set apart to this work by prayer and laying on of hands. In some cases they will need to counsel with the church officers or the minister; but if they are d...— PaM 75.1 (1995)

...all for two classes of servants in the church, differing in their duties. “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (or deaconess) of the church which is at Cenchrea. That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business ...— ARSH July 31, 1856, page 101.19

...ns who were candidates for baptism: to visit the sick, and those who were in prison; and, in short, perform those religious offices, for the female part of the church, which could not with propriety be performed by men. They were chosen in general out of the most experienced of the church; and were ordinarily widows, ...— ARSH July 31, 1856, page 101.26