# Deacons

# Leader Guidelines

#### Lead Deacon (Leader 1) – Role Description & Ministry Guidelines  


##### Purpose

The Lead Deacon’s primary responsibility is to lead the south side deacons reverently, with confidence, and and in a prayerful manner throughout the Divine Liturgy, helping the congregation pray in unity and order.

##### Responsibilities

1. Lead the South Side Deacons 
    - Lead the deacons throughout the entire Divine Liturgy. 
        - Encourage the deacons to participate actively and confidently in chanting.
        - Maintain unity in rhythm, pitch, and pace.
2. Be Well Prepared 
    - The Leader should be able to chant the hymns of the Liturgical Services confidently and accurately.  
        Arrive on time to the Liturgical Services 
        - Vespers Praises (Saturday Night)
        - Morning Praises (Sunday Morning)
    - The following hymns are considered standard and should be chanted regularly on weekends: 
        - Medium Hiten
        - Praxis Response for St. Rebekah
        - Psalm 150 (Pi O Oufa)
        - Pi Oik
        - Tenouweh Ensok
3. Lead with a Strong Voice 
    - Chant and read with a clear, strong, and confident voice.
    - The microphone should be used primarily to establish the pace and pitch of the hymn and encourage the congregation and deacons to join.
    - It is not necessary to remain on the microphone throughout the entire hymn.
    - Use wisdom and discretion in microphone usage

##### Spiritual Conduct

1. Lead Through Prayer 
    - Your first responsibility is to pray.
    - Lead the deacons while maintaining a spirit of worship.
    - Never allow administrative responsibilities to distract you from prayer.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Distractions 
    - While leading, avoid becoming preoccupied with: 
        - Distributing microphones.
        - Distributing cymbals or triangle.
        - Operating a separate iPad or searching for hymns unnecessarily.
        - Changing microphone batteries.
    - Remember that there are other deacons available to assist with these responsibilities.

##### Distribution Guidelines: Distribute Wisely

- Distribution should prioritize the quality of the prayer—not to “give everyone a chance.”
- When assigning hymns, choose individuals who: 
    - Have a developed and confident voice.
    - Can maintain the correct pitch.
    - Know the hymn well.
    - Can lead others effectively.
- Common areas of distribution include: 
    - Distribution Melodies
    - Doxologies
    - Praises
    - Veneration
    - Other appropriate hymns as needed
- Cymbals and the triangle should only be given to individuals who: 
    - Can maintain the proper rhythm and pace.
    - Are able to sing and play simultaneously.
    - Help the congregation pray rather than creating confusion.
- Give feedback 
    - Someone plays the cymbals too slow, too fast, too loud, etc.

##### Leadership Principles (Be an Example)

- Lead by example with humility and reverence.
- Be attentive to the altar and the flow of the liturgy.
- Encourage participation without drawing attention to yourself.
- Delegate appropriately and trust other capable deacons to assist.
- Always remember that the goal is not performance, but leading the congregation in prayer.
- Dress appropriately (collared shirt)

#### Leader 2 (Sunday) - Role Description & Ministry Guidelines

##### Purpose

The main role of the Leader 2 is to lead the north side deacons with confidence and in a reverent and prayerful manner throughout the Divine Liturgy, helping the children and north side deacons pray in unity and order

##### Responsibilities

1. Lead the North Side Deacons 
    - Lead the deacons throughout the entire Divine Liturgy.
    - Encourage the deacons to participate actively and confidently in chanting.
    - Maintain unity in rhythm, pitch, and pace.
    - Face the East when leading
    - Don't stack the pews 
        - 8 deacons in first row
        - 7 maximum in other rows
2. Be Well Prepared 
    - Arrive on time
3. Lead with a Strong Voice 
    - Chant and read with a clear, strong, and confident voice.
    - Don’t just sing in the microphone—encourage the children to sing
    - Watch the Leader 1 and South Side deacons 
        - Leader 1 wants to alternate
4. Keep Order by Teaching 
    - Leader 2 is not a baby sitter
    - Ex. If someone is sitting down, don’t yell at them to stand up, teach them why we should stand and sing

##### Spiritual Conduct

1. Lead through Prayer 
    - The most important responsibility is to pray
    - Don’t allow administrative responsibilities distract you from prayer
2. Avoid Unnecessary Distractions 
    - Leader 2 is NOT a baby sitter
    - Do not focus too much on the children: 
        - Sitting
        - Talking
        - Moving around

##### Distribution Guidelines

1. Distribute Wisely 
    - Distribution should prioritize the quality of the prayer—not to “give everyone a chance.”  
        When assigning hymns, choose individuals who: 
        - Have a developed and confident voice.
        - Can maintain the correct pitch.
        - Know the hymn well.
    - Common areas of distribution include: 
        - Agpeya gospels and litanies
        - Short Litanies during Vespers

##### Leadership Principles (Be an example)

- Lead by example with humility and reverence.
- Be attentive to the Leader 1, South Side deacons, and the flow of the liturgy.
- Encourage participation without drawing attention to yourself.
- Always remember that the goal is not order and discipline, but leading the children in prayer.
- Dress appropriately (collared shirt)