Deacon Ministry Teams

The Ways We Serve

 
Most of our deacon ministries are done through one of four main deacon committees. Each deacon will typically be a member of one of those four committees throughout the service year.
 
In addition to the four main committees, we also have several other areas of ministry through which we assist our church body and staff.
 

Highland Deacon Committees

Most of our service opportunities come through one of our four primary committees.
 
  • AWOL: A Work Of Love
  • Benevolence
  • IEA: Introduction/Education/Assimilation
  • Member Care
 
Additionally, beyond these committees, there are other programs and service opportunities through which we minister to our church body.
 Please visit the links below to learn more about each of these programs in which we seek to serve you.

“A Work Of Love” – or  – AWOL

 
Your deacon body seeks to provide “hands-on” practical assistance to the HBC family in the areas of:
  • Home & yard maintenance
  • Car maintenance
  • Church repairs
Our goal is to schedule seven seasonal “work days” throughout the year, where members of our deacon body can be available to provide these services to those church members in need of assistance in these areas.
 As we develop these web pages for our church family, we will get these events posted here and on the Deacons Events/Calendar page.  We will also put notices in the church bulletin, monthly newsletter and postings on church bulletin boards.
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!
 
For additional information please check with one of your deacons serving on the AWOL committee:
 Jeff Bolch (Committee Chairman)
Ron Flynt
Jim Nanney
Doug Patterson
Larry Craig
 

“Member Care”

 
Your deacon body seeks to identify, explore, and meet the needs of the body* at Highland Baptist Church (*body includes the staff).  This includes their spiritual, physical and social needs, along with promoting church unity.  Our goals include praying, nurturing, encouraging and equipping.
 
Specific points of action include:
 
  • A Deacon’s Prayer Chain network, for quickly alerting serving Deacon’s of urgent needs for prayer within the church body.
  • Encouraging and inviting non-deacon church members to participate in Member Care.
  • Establishing a rotating visitation program of members in the hospital, the elderly, widows, orphans and the homebound.
  • Communicating and coordinating with other ministry groups on recognition and meeting of needs.
 
For additional information please check with one of your deacons serving on the AWOL committee:
 
 
Reggie Sweat (Committee Chairman)
Lawrence Gibbs
Michael Parrish
Harry Bowles
 

Benevolence Ministry

 
Your deacon body seeks to lead the church in assessing needs and assisting the members of Highland Baptist Church during a financial crisis.  Our goal is to insure that our members are provided a financial safety net (during a crisis).
 
Your Benevolence committee deacon will be responsible for:
 
  • Evaluating needs and coordinating how and where funds will be allocated.
  • Being aware and sensitive to those in a financial crisis.
  • Making referrals and providing funds for financial counseling when appropriate.
 
If you or a member of our church is in need, please contact one of your deacons to discuss the possibility of assistance from the Benevolence ministry.
 
Your deacon will, in confidentiality, report to the committee and the deacon body, where a determination will be made on how assistance can best be rendered.  We regularly discuss needs that we are made aware of, and seek to find solutions for our members in need.
 
At the times when we hold the Lord’s Supper, we also take up collections for this ministry.  If you have been blessed by the Lord, and are able, please contribute to this fund, that we might, as a church body, better fulfill our responsibility before God to one another!
 
For additional information please check with one of your deacons serving on the Benevolence committee:
 
Pete Parrish (Committee Chairman)
Staley Keener
Steve Gaddy
Kevin Barlow
 

IEA – or – Introduction/Education/Assimilation

 
Your IEA Committee deacons seek to bring believers and non-believers into full membership of HBC.  We seek to do this through a visitor follow-up process, and through communication/provision of the various programs and opportunities available to prospects.
 
We have provided input for a Visitor Packet that should be available for distribution to visitors in the coming months. 
 
Other actions that we pursue in this ministry include:
 
  • Preparation and dissemination of Visitor Cards obtained from Sunday School and worship, so that our deacons can seek out new visitors shortly after visiting with us at HBC.
  • Evaluating means and effectiveness of identifying visitors to HBC.
  • Making available to the church body opportunities to serve in the assimilation ministry.
  • Encouraging Sunday School teachers and Care Group leaders to help in this process.
 
If you are aware of members or visitors that we could assist in getting better plugged in to the many growth or ministry opportunities available at HBC, please contact one of us and let us help in the process!
 
For additional information please check with one of your deacons serving on the IEA committee:
 
Vince Argiro (Committee Chairman)
Dennis Rainey
Brian Benton
Rick Shepherd