The office of deacon is described in the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:8-13), where the Greek word diakonos is used from which the English “deacon” is derived. The Greek word is variously interpreted as “servant, minister, writer, attendant” and in Christian circles acquired the specialized meaning now attached to “deacon.” Scripture clearly endorses the office in the New Testament church: “They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13). On this authority, the church elects some of its members to serve in eminently practical ways, caring for several aspects of church services, as well as for church property. The deacon is elected to office, serving for a term of one or two years as determined by the local church.

Where a church has a sufficient number of deacons to warrant the formation of a board of deacons it is well to organize such a board, with the head deacon as chairman and with another deacon serving as secretary. Such a body affords a well-ordered means of distributing responsibility and coordinates deacon contributions to the well-being of the church. It also provides a training ground where younger men, rightly recruited as deacons, may be instructed in their duties. The head deacon is a member of the church board.

Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well” (Rom. 16:1, 2, RSV).

The deaconess is elected to office, serving for a term of one or two years as determined by the local church. It does not follow that the wife of a man chosen as deacon thereby becomes a deaconess, nor is it incumbent upon a church to choose the wife of a deacon as deaconess because her husband is a deacon. The deaconess is to be chosen from the standpoint of consecration and other qualifications that fit her to discharge the duties of the office. The church may arrange for a suitable service of induction for the deaconess by an ordained minister holding current credentials.

The following are the deacons and deaconesses for Lusaka Central SDA Church:

 

Deacons

Br. Moses Kapembe- Head Deacon

Br. Philip Kananda- Assistant Head Deacon

1 Br. Davelias Ngambi

2 Br. Bhaitoni Namwiinga

3 Br. Conrad Mwaangala

4 Br. Joseph Amanzi

5 Br. Patson Banda

6 Br. Chrispin Hapanbali

 

Deaconesses

Sr. Betty Mkanda-Head Deconess

Sr. Patricia Shandavu-Assistant Head Deconness

1 Sr. Lillian Nambula

2 Sr. Justina Malindi

3 Sr. Lillian Sike

4 Sr. Saina Chileya

5 Sr. Yvonne Sakwimba

6 Sr. Constance Chileshe

 

Ushers

Br. Ashley Mwenda-Head Usher

Br. Kakungu Kaite-Assistant Head Usher

2 Sr. Esther Nayame Kaite

3 Sr. Natasha Kaimika

4 Br. Nyambe Kawanga

5 Br. Chendaeka A Chomba

6 Sr. Inutu Silibele