Deacon Guide

This guide is intended for current and prospective deacons at Hill Cliffe Baptist Church. It provides a practical overview of the responsibilities, expectations, and spiritual calling of a deacon. It is fully aligned with the guidance provided by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB).

What is a Deacon?

Deacons shall, with the ministers (if any), be responsible for the leadership of the church, the fulfilment of its purpose, the pastoral care of its members, and its day-to-day management and administration.

At Hill Cliffe, the term ‘Diaconate’ refers to elected deacons. The term ‘Leadership Team’ refers to all members of Leadership including deacons, church secretary, treasurer and minister(s). The terms are often used interchangeably.

Deacons are expected to be:

Servant Leaders
Decision Makers
Collaborative Workers
Organisers of Church Life

Biblical foundation

The role of a deacon is rooted in Scripture, particularly in Acts 6:1–7 and 1 Timothy 3:8–13, where deacons are called to serve with integrity, wisdom, and a good reputation. Deacons are spiritually mature individuals whose lives reflect Christian character and service.

Legal responsibilities and governance

Hill Cliffe Baptist Church is a registered charity. All deacons are charity trustees under UK law.

Key responsibilities of trustees include:

Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
Comply with the church’s constitution
Act in the church’s best interest
Manage the church’s resources responsibly
Act with reasonable care and skill
Ensure the church is accountable

Deacons must read and be familiar with the church constitution. Additional key documents include:

BUGB Guideline Leaflet C15: Help I’m a Charity Trustee
BUGB Guideline Leaflet C16: Help I’m a Deacon
Baptist Basics 8: Leadership in the Local Church
Hill Cliffe’s Safeguarding and Data Protection Policies

Being a Deacon at Hill Cliffe

Deacons are appointed for a three-year term and may be re-elected for another three years. After two terms, a break of at least one year is encouraged.

Deacons meet twice monthly on the second and third Mondays at 7:30pm. Meetings typically end by 9:30pm but may run longer if needed.

Responsibilities and role allocation

Upon appointment, each deacon is invited to consider areas of service that match their gifts and calling. Example roles include:

Worship Coordination
Pastoral Care
Small Group Administration
Buildings and Maintenance
Mission and Outreach
Safeguarding

Sunday Duty Deacon

Each Sunday, a deacon serves as Duty Deacon. This role includes keyholding responsibilities, oversight of Sunday morning setup, and lock up. A checklist is available for this role.

Confidentiality and discretion

Deacons will often be entrusted with sensitive information. All discussions within deacons’ meetings are confidential unless agreed otherwise by the group. A deacon may share matters with their spouse or a trusted individual for prayer and discernment, but even this should be treated with caution and discretion. In some circumstances the deacons will agree not to share information with anyone outside the leadership team.

Induction for new deacons

New deacons will be welcomed and supported through:

A review of this guide and key documents
Introduction to the church constitution
Mentoring by an experienced deacon
Observation and learning in the first few meetings

Conclusion

Serving as a deacon is a sacred and practical calling. It requires commitment, humility, wisdom, and love for Christ and His church. Deacons play a crucial part in fulfilling the mission of Hill Cliffe Baptist Church.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

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Planning your Visit

New to Church?

Welcome! Whether you’ve just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.

What to expect on Sundays

We meet every Sunday at 10:45am. This is our main service.

Free parking is available.
We’re informal and most people dress casually.
If you’re new and would like to speak to someone about church, let the Welcome Team know and they will point you in the right direction.
During the service there are creche, children’s and youth ministries.

Please look at our Sunday Services page for more information.

We also have a 5:15pm service on Sundays.

We meet at:

Red Lane
Appleton
Warrington
WA4 5AL

You can see a map on our Contact Us page.

Alpha

Alpha is a chance to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment: watch this video to find out more.

To register for the next Alpha Course at Hill Cliffe Church please contact office@hillcliffe.info or call 01925 264903.

Watch this video to get an idea of what to expect.

What is Christianity?

The message at the heart of Christianity is pretty simple. On this three-minute video, find out what it’s all about. Turn on your speakers!

There are details of how to ask any questions you have at the bottom of the page.

Who is Jesus?

He’s the Christ. The King who God himself had promised to send, who would put everything right by setting up a kingdom of justice and love. He’s also the Son of God. God himself, entering the world as a human being. Jesus proved who he was by what he did. He healed people. He calmed storms. He raised the dead.

By doing these things, the King was giving a glimpse of life in his kingdom. A perfect place, with no suffering, fear or death. It’s the world we all want.

Why did Jesus come? To be rejected

But many people rejected Jesus. They thought they’d be happier making their own rules and living outside his kingdom. This rejection of the King is something we all do. Jesus called it sin.

It damages our lives and will eventually leave us separated from the joy of being in the kingdom.

God won’t let those who reject the King live with him. So we face what Jesus called hell. An existence without anything good, forever.

Why did Jesus come? To be killed

People rejected the King so violently that they killed him by nailing him to a cross. But his death wasn’t a mistake by God – it was a masterstroke.

On the cross, Jesus was cut off from God’s friendship and goodness. He chose to experience hell – so that we don’t have to. The sinless King died to take the punishment sin deserves.

Jesus was opening the way into his kingdom.

Why did Jesus come? To rise again

Three days after his execution, his tomb was found to be empty. Over the next few weeks many ate with Jesus. Dozens spoke with him. Hundreds saw him. Jesus the King could not be contained by death.

He had risen!

What does it mean for us?

So, today, right now, Jesus is inviting people to come into his kingdom. He tells us to repent and believe the good news.

Repent means to turn around, to live with Jesus in charge instead of ourselves. Believe means to trust that Jesus has done everything we need to give us a place in his kingdom.

Living with Jesus as King isn’t easy. His followers will be rejected, just as he was. But they also live a life of deep security, satisfaction, and joy, knowing God and his forgiveness, being helped by his Spirit, and looking forward to the King’s return, when he will finally establish his loving kingdom forever.

Jesus offers all this to anyone and everyone who repents and believes.

How about you?

Questions?

Please contact us and we will be happy to go through your questions.

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