Diaconate

The diaconate as a vocation In accordance with its revised "Regulations for diaconal work", the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren is ready to commission as deacons those who consider the service of the needy to be their primary task in life.

Deacons are qualified church workers in the social sphere. They work with people who are marginalised due to their age, handicap, illness, or other differences and who need physical or social help or support. Depending on their decision and their abilities, they may do this in the congregations of the Protestant churches, as part of Diaconia, or in other places.

Among the conditions for being commissioned in this way are a Christian motivation for social work and a lasting desire to be commissioned by the church to carry out this work. Candidates are also required to have completed at least secondary school education and be prepared to undertake further specialist and theological training.

Deacons together form an open community. The basic elements for their meetings include the Word of God, the Lord's Supper, and prayers and intercessions for each other and for the needy throughout the world. Other features making up the life of this community are regular meetings, accompanying and helping each other in different life situations, ongoing training, and resolving together questions relating to this specific profession.