Moment of Meditation: Deaconess (1 Timothy 5:16)

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family,
she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them,
so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
(1 Timothy 5:16)

Deaconess

As the office of deacon was instituted initially for the sake of the distribution to the widows (Acts 6), the office of deaconess was first given for the sake of the widows. These women began their ministry to the widows in their own families. Later, the office would take on a more universal position. The deaconess could offer a different ministry than the deacon. Women tend to be more empathetic ministers than men.

Later, there also came the notion that deaconesses could be used in the public ministry of the Church. Not preaching. "To give the enemy no opportunity for slander" (1 Timothy 5:14), the deaconess helped with Baptism of adult women. The office of deaconess served to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ especially to the women of the community.

Everything begins at home. The office of deaconess was first fulfilled by women who took care of the needs of the widows in their own family. After they were taken care of, they moved on to helping other widows in the congregation and then women at large. This is the background of our congregation's ladies groups. The idea that Christians should take care of each other so that they lack nothing. And the Church greatly benefits from the fellowship and harmony that ensues. Amen.