Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches.  "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well" (Rom. 16:1,2, RSV).

Deaconnesses serve the church in a wide variety of important activities including:

- Assistance of Baptisms

- Arrangements for the Communion Service

- The Care of the Sick and the Poor