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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.
  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)
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