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A Tribute to Women Deacons
A Tribute
to Women Deacons
THE AFFIRMATION OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH AND HOME HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART
OF THE CBF STORY FROM THE BEGINNING. This past summer we surveyed our fellowship. We asked about women being included in diaconate bodies, when our congregations first ordained women deacons and how many women deacon chairs have served our congregations across the state. We discovered, probably not surprisingly, that our congregations have a rich history, almost 100 years, of leadership from women deacons.
Rev. Thomas Allen of Angier Baptist Church shared, “Since 1926, the leadership of our women deacons has been essential to carrying out the ministry of our church. Their loyalty, faithfulness and hard work constantly helps us reach beyond the walls to minister to our community.” We celebrate this history, the service and ministry of the seven women who shared their deacon experiences with us as well as all the women who have served their congregations as a deacon!
Additionally, this feature on women deacons celebrates one of CBFNC’s core principles: autonomy of the local church. We affirm that Baptist churches are free, under the Lordship of Christ and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to determine their membership and leadership; to order their worship and work; to ordain whomever they perceive as gifted for ministry; and to participate, as they deem appropriate, in the larger Body of Christ.
By Mary Kaylor CBFNC Associate Coordinator
NANCY BERRY
Lakeside Baptist Church-Rocky Mount Lakeside has been home church since 1975. I have been elected to serve as a deacon three times beginning in 2000. Our deacons serve for three-year terms and may not be reelected again for two years. In my last term, 2017-2019, I was asked to serve as Vice Chair in 2018 and then serve as Chair of the Diaconate in my third year of 2019.
Women have always been involved in our ministry and mission programs at Lakeside. The first woman elected to the Diaconate was in 1974 and many have served as Chair.
Being nominated and then elected to serve as a deacon was an extremely humbling experience for me. Knowing that the congregation had placed their trust and support in me strengthened my faith in seeking the right answers and asking the right questions as how to most effectively serve our church.
Two significant decisions were made in 2019 at Lakeside Baptist. The first came as a request for a wedding to be held in our Columbarium for two young women, one of whom had grown up in our church and maintained strong ties with us. This was a first for Lakeside and sparked much discussion. Ultimately, our Diaconate voted unanimously “yes.”
The second decision we made was to participate in the Growing Young cohort offered through CBFNC with Fuller Youth Institute. The purpose was to assess where our church was heading and what we are willing to do to help Lakeside grow. That process asked thought provoking questions that challenged my faith and my willingness to participate.
Our ministry and missions at Lakeside Baptist encourage all women to participate and be involved in all aspects of our church life. My faith has been strengthened in discovering many people with gifts and talents that some were unaware that they even had.
BILLIE G. HUTCHISON
Sardis Baptist Church-Charlotte I first served as a deacon years ago at Wedgewood Baptist and that is where I was ordained. I am currently serving my first three-year term at Sardis. Both churches have a long history of ordaining female deacons that started before me.
I grew up in churches where men usually held the role of deacons and the deacon board “ran” the church (financial, administrative, etc.). I am proud to have served as deacon at two churches where deacons “served” the church/community and were not just the decision-makers. History shows that men have usually been the decision-makers and women the “servers,” and I am proud to have been taught by WMU how to lead and serve with a servant heart.
Being a member at Sardis has strengthened my faith and encouraged a better view of humanity for me. Having been a staff member of a church and an association in the 90s, I was discouraged with church before coming to Sardis.
KAYLA BETTINGER HOWELL
Zebulon Baptist Church-Zebulon I first served as a Congregational Care Deacon from October 2017 to September 2020. I was co-chair from October 2019-September 2020 and then chair from October 2020-September 2021. My husband and I were both asked to serve as deacons and we felt honored to be asked because we were relatively new to the church. Not only did we grow in our faith, but we were able to grow within our church community and the fellowship we gained was priceless.
Like other churches, COVID-19 was a big challenge to navigate, especially moving our Diaconate meetings online. Making sure everyone knew how to log-on, unmute, adjust the cameras and deal with typical Zoom issues was a challenge in the beginning but we all overcame it. When things got a little better we tried a hybrid meeting approach. I am thankful that near the end of my term we were able to meet face-to-face while following safety measures.
In addition to COVID-19, my husband and I had our first child while were serving as deacons. Our daughter was born in December 2017, after I went into labor while Christmas caroling to our elderly shut-ins with our fellow deacons. After having a baby, evening meetings became more difficult. We would usually take turns going to the meetings. Eventually, some family friends would watch her so we both could attend the meetings.
During my time as co-chair, our son was born. It was now a challenge to have two small children at home, work full time, attend meetings and do my duties as co-chair and eventually chair. It was hard sometimes to balance all the different aspects of life but I am thankful for a wonderful husband, friends and church family who supported me along the way even on the days when I was sleep deprived and showed up with a messy bun!
I grew closer to God serving as a deacon. I wasn’t super involved with church as a young person but I was still a Christian. Finding a church home in ZBC helped further my faith but having been a part of the deacons truly helped make me feel the love of Gods people in so many different ways and grow closer to Him. It also helped me realize some of the gifts God has blessed me with and how I can use those gifts.
THERESA EARLY CURD
First Baptist Church-West Jefferson I was the first woman elected as a deacon at FBC West Jefferson and was ordained in January 1993. I have served continuously since then except for years I had to rotate off and even served as chair of the Diaconate in 2011.
I learned later, that during that first spring and summer while I was serving as deacon in 1993, our minister Ken Morris received letters encouraging our church to rescind my ordination. At the August 1993 annual meeting of the Ashe Baptist Association, a vote was taken to withdraw fellowship from our church. In other words, we were kicked out of the association! I had no idea this was coming and was devastated. The situation received lots of press. We were featured in an article on the front page of the Winston-Salem Journal and other articles appeared in national press. It was stressful for me but had to be much more stressful for Rev. Morris.
But my church was amazing! I felt nothing but support from the church. I also received letters from other people who had seen the articles and wrote to encourage me. There was even support from some of the other churches in the association to reinstate our church.
In August 1993, shortly after the action of the Association, Dwight McGrady, our most senior deacon died. His wife, Grace, approached Rev. Morris with the notion that she would like to be ordained and serve the remainder of Dwight’s term if the church was in agreement. Of course the church agreed and Rev. Morris and I were forever grateful for this amazing act of support.
Since that time our church has elected eight other female deacons and several of them have also served as chair. Serving in this role has strengthened my faith and sometimes the responsibility has sent me to my knees!
IRMA DUKE
Neill’s Creek Baptist Church-Angier I began my current role as a deacon serving in Neill’s Creek Baptist in September of 2020. All my life I have heard horror stories about pastors and their relationship with deacons, but, in my limited experience, this has not been the case. It has been a Christian growth experience for me as we have truly tried to minister together in Christ’s love. We consider our role as shepherds of our flock vital in making financial, facility and planning decisions.
Our church has had female deacons since the early 1950s. By our church constitution and bylaws, we have six male and six female members of the Diaconate. Each of us is respected for our leadership abilities and spiritual discernment.
During my first term of service, our church has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, a building program and the first-ever pastoral sabbatical. God has blessed us as we have faithfully sought His leadership and followed the guidance of our pastor.
I have found communication among the pastor, deacons and the church has been a tremendous key in moving forward together.
Years ago, I was recommended as a deacon in another church, shortly after the church voted to change its constitution to omit gender in deacon selection. I would have been the first female deacon, if elected. At my request, I asked the chair to poll the current deacons to ask if the church was ready for female deacons. The response was that they were not. Today, that church has female deacons working alongside the male deacons. I’m thankful for God’s timing.
KATHY WYATT PRICE
First Baptist Church-Weaverville Our church ordained its first woman as deacon in 1985. I was first ordained in 1994 and have served several terms since then with the last ending in June 2021, of which I was chair.
I am grateful to be in a church where women are valued and encouraged to serve where God calls them. The first women deacons in our church served as mentors to me. They provided the foundation where I was able to grow and flourish as I strived to follow in their giant footsteps. Deacons who have served before and continue to serve, both women and men, have greatly influenced my life.
My most recent service has been during the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned new ways to “do” church and to serve our church family. We began virtual services, had Zoom meetings with children, youth and Sunday School, contacted our folks regularly through phone, email and postal service, and ministered to our church family by helping with groceries and other needs.
By adapting to new practices, we were able to continue to serve in our ministries to the homeless and to veterans. Using appropriate health and safety procedures, we have had Trunk or Treat for those in our community, as well as a cookout for our church family. We also had a drive-thru Christmas Eve service.
During this time, we were also able to complete several church projects that included replacing our HVAC system, updating our kitchen with a new stove, purchasing a defibrillator, upholstering our church pews and adding new signage on the front of the building.
Serving as a deacon is one way I have been able to live out my faith. It has required me to spend more time in study, prayer and ministry. Learning to use my time and resources responsibly has influenced my life. Serving as a deacon has helped me to understand the responsibility of each one of us to love God and to love one another.
KAY THOMPSON MEYER
Greystone Baptist Church-Raleigh I most recently served a three year term from September 2018 through August 2021 and I was chair of the Diaconate this year. Greystone Baptist Church has always been a church that has supported and valued women in service in our church. Women have served in leadership roles, ministry and on the Diaconate for many years.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve God and our family of faith in any capacity. Serving as a deacon, however, has special meaning. At Greystone, our deacons serve as spiritual leaders focused on the care of our congregation, engagement with our members and community, and in prayer and discernment for our church and our mission in working in accordance to God’s plan.
Since early 2020, like most churches, our deacons have supported our ministers in guiding our church through the unprecedented times of the COVID19 pandemic. There were many decisions and actions that had to be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of our congregation, both physically and spiritually, while managing the changing circumstances, protocols and needs of the pandemic.
Throughout this time, our deacons focused on maintaining connection with our church families, discussing and supporting decisions about worship and discipleship and adapting our participation in elements of our church services as they changed to virtual and then to socially distanced in-person worship. It was a blessing to have a group of spiritual leaders to consider how best to serve God and our faith family during this challenging and ever-changing time.
Service in many capacities in the church helps you build relationships and deepens your connection and commitment to your church. Serving as a deacon, however, helps focus on how God is working through our faith family. I feel that service as a deacon has allowed me to more clearly see the purpose of our work as Christians, to understand more deeply the relationships we have with each other and with our God, and most importantly, the power of prayer.
Serving the church, especially as a deacon, requires dedication of your time and talents to the work of your church and God. But the resulting impact to your own life and your walk of faith is far more valuable than the time and commitment you make to deacon service.
