The Deacon Ministry

2011-2012 Deacon Directory

Click here to view or download the 2011-2012 Deacon Directory.

Overview of Calvary's Deacon Ministry

	In the Book of Acts we learn that the early church was experiencing   growing pains, in that some of its widows were not being attended to adequately.  The response of the church was to select seven men to make sure that the widows’ needs were met.  Seven men, for a church that is thought to have numbered over ten thousand members!  How did they do it?

This year, our deacon body felt it would be healthy to reexamine the way we do ministry.  We studied our own history, interviewed members of other churches, and reviewed Southern Baptist literature regarding several different models of deacon service.  In the end, we sensed the Lord leading us to make a transition from our past model of Deacon Family Ministry to a model called Deacon-Led Team Ministry.  In this model, the deacons lead specific ministry teams, but the entire church body is encouraged to participate in the work.  We imagine that the first century church must have used something similar to this—the seven deacons leading in service, but assisted by many, so that the needs of the thousands could be met.   Finally, no one need fear that as we turn from our older model of service to this newer one that his family will “lose our deacon”. 

We’re all “your” deacon.  This directory has been assembled expressly for the purpose of making it easier than ever for church members to reach which ever deacons they are most comfortable with.  Whenever a need arises, just call—and we’ll be there! 

Ministry Teams

If your gifts are not suited for any of these existing teams, stay tuned.  Undoubtedly other teams will form as the church’s vision grows.  In fact, if you see an unmet need and have the energy to bring an idea for meeting it to the deacon leadership, along with the drive to help recruit the necessary workers, you could even be instrumental in forming a new team as we go forward!    

We’d love for you to consider joining one of these teams.  A brief summary of their work and information about whom to contact:

Construction/Handyman Team

This team has been formed to help those in our church who have need of minor repairs that they are unable to do themselves, and also to reach out to families outside our church with home repair needs.  For a time, this team was diverted to tornado relief, and with the leadership of Billy Hatmaker helped in relocating more than 75 families to new homes!  With that work complete, it will now turn back to its original purpose.  Projects can range from something as simple as yard clean-up to as complex as major home rehabilitation for a needy family.  Obviously, the more people there are on this team, the better it can function.  If you would like to help this team, please contact Deacon Billy Hatmaker, 205-759-1220, billyhatmaker@gmail.com.          

1-2-1 Ministry Team

This team was formed to add the efforts of the deacons and many Sunday School classes to those of Minister to Senior Adults Frank Jones and the many faithful Calvary members who have long since been working diligently to meet the needs of our homebound members.  They are doing remarkably effective work in regularly visiting and extending love and attention to these needy and truly deserving people, many of whom invested so much of their lives in the Lord’s work through Calvary over the years.  If you have children, remember that the elderly love to be around the young, and the blessings flow both ways! If you would like to assist this team, please contact Deacon Weldon Cole, 205-758-6500, weldoncole@hotmail.com.          

Parking Lot Ministry Team

This team was formed first for the simple purpose of helping people to cross the street safely on their way to services at Calvary, inspired by the example of Mr. Bob Dyess who worked our 12th Avenue crossing so tirelessly for many years.  Along with our pastor, they have recently worked with the Mayor of Tuscaloosa and the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation to achieve needed safety upgrades near our crosswalk.  But the ongoing work of the team has now grown to helping visitors find a parking space, welcoming them to Calvary, pointing them in the right direction, and doing everything possible to make their visit to Calvary pleasant and agreeable, and thus likely to be repeated!  Many workers are needed to cover all our three morning services.  If you would like to assist this team, please contact Deacon Walt Dendy, 205-349-3108, wdendy@pearsonlumber.com.