Balancing Sensitivity and Stewardship in Diaconal Assistance

The deacons of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Franklin Square, New York distilled years of assistance requests into this one-page set of principles for Ordained Servant, taking as their model Elisha’s care for the widow and her oil in 2 Kings 4 as expounded by Matthew Henry.

The board works in four stages: begin with a listening, compassionate attitude; ask whether the need arose from sudden tragedy or a pattern of mismanagement; monitor whether debt is being reduced and counsel heeded; and watch for changed attitudes, contentment in place of covetousness.

One rule anchors the process: the individual’s obligations must be remedied by the individual, not discharged for him by the deacons. A practical starting point for a diaconate drafting its own assistance policy.