What Does Being a Deacon Mean to You?
As we work through this season of discernment and growth, we are seeking leaders to cultivate stories of our past for a creative and expansive vision of our future. As such, this year the ten nominees for deacon election have responded to three questions to help share their experience and vision of Highland Hills. Please take a moment to read their responses before November 8th and join me in prayer for the leadership of our church.
Jeff Browne
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
Depending on when you ask me this question, you might get a different answer! I am constantly amazed at how God works in our church community, and love when it surprises me.
I see a lay person stand up and share from a pulpit about grace, or missions, or giving in their life. The words they say draw the congregation close, they are moved with the speaker; and, surely that is God.
I hear our Fall Festival, and knowing there is tireless effort from leaders and volunteers to support a fun time for members and neighbors, with squeals of delight from children, and cake walk music, and the buzz of blowers keeping inflatable machines aloft; and, surely that is God.
I sense our community, bound by the Spirit, when we honor tradition of monthly communion, annual Christmas Eve services, or an Easter sunrise, and feel the hurt of the person that sits alone this time, when last time they came as a pair; the beeline another member makes to them for a hug following the service, and surely that is God.
Tell me about when you think our community is at our best?
The inclusion of the Children’s Message during Sunday morning worship is the best. Leaders take the time to prepare, in theme with the week, and sometimes it’s a trained minister, and sometimes it’s a volunteer who thinks it matters. And, it does. We teach our children not only that day’s story, but that that time matters, because it does. No other group gets a special song, a welcome to come forward, and call-and-response questions. Jesus loves the little children—and we are all his little children.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
Being a Deacon is an honor, because a Deacon has been selected to serve by the church Community we hold so dear. That service should be treated with responsibility in its dual role. On one hand, Deacons honor those who came before them by following by-laws set as intentional guidance to allow for the parts of church operations that need to be business-like to prevent chaos, adapt to change, and prepare for struggles. On the other hand, a Deacon’s service extends beyond a simple black and white paragraph or lists of names, and must include attention to the needs of a member or family, so they are enfolded into God’s embrace and share the love of the Community.
Emily Brumley
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
I could see God working in our church community when we were without any ministerial staff. Church members, including deacons and committee members, all stepped up to help fill in the gaps and keep Highland Hills going. I felt God was guiding us through that very difficult period. God also worked through our pastor search committee to bring us the co-pastors that we needed. I saw the faithfulness of God working in our congregation during those times.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
I think we are at our best when we are looking outwardly and loving our neighbors. Welcoming folks to events like the Fall Family Fest and Touch a Truck hopefully shows them that there are people here who care for them and that there is a God who loves them. When Sunday School classes work together to fill 50 lunch sacks for Loaves and Fishes and when we gather to package thousands of meal kits for Rise Against Hunger, I think we are at our best.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
For me, being a deacon is an opportunity to serve God and support my church. I am willing to serve as a deacon because I love Highland Hills. I want to help the church grow and thrive and I want to help the members feel cared for.
Chris Fuller
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
I saw and felt God working in the HHBC community when my two sons, Ben and Joshua, were baptized. We hosted a lunch after the Sunday service and many dozens of people attended and affirmed our sons and their commitment to Christ. Our sons had experienced the love and teachings of Jesus in the years prior to their decisions from the children's ministry. Their baptism was the culmination of the church's ministry to and alongside them. What a blessing and affirmation!
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
The HHBC community is at its best when it is ministering to people outside the church family and beyond the church's property. It demonstrates that we are following Jesus and not just the church's agenda. It shows that they are putting their faith in action like it talks about in James 2:17. There are people all around us each day who need the love of Jesus, a comforting or encouraging word, help with food, childcare, and housing. I loved the testimonies offered this past Sunday of people who were living out their faith in personal ways directed by God.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
The English word deacon comes directly from the Greek διάκονος (diakonos), which literally means “servant,” “minister,” or “one who serves.” The modern church has taken the word deacon and made it a noun when it originally was primarily a verb. I love this because it means all who serve and minister are deacons for God whether they have a church title or not. The first deacons were elected to help the Greeks who had immigrated there and needed help. Deacons are servants quick to listen to the needs of others. I received a call last night from someone who was grieving, and they asked me to come pray with them the next day. I could sense they were really hurting. "Can I come over now?" I asked. They replied that they would really appreciate my visit. I spent about an hour visiting and grieving alongside them, praying that God would be near and give them comfort. It was a holy moment for them and me. Being a deacon means eagerly following and serving Jesus wherever and whenever he calls.
Kerry Hatcher
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
One of the times I've most clearly seen God working in our church was during Wild Wonder Creation Camp. My own kids were participating, and I had the opportunity to help out, mostly running errands, lending a hand where needed, and taking photos. That gave me a chance to step back and watch our volunteers in action. Seeing the time, energy, patience, and love they poured into teaching and nurturing the children was something special. To me, that's God at work through ordinary people who give freely of themselves to make a difference in the lives of others.
Tell me about when you think our community is at our best?
I think our church is at our best when we open our doors and welcome the broader community. Events like the Fall Festival, Touch-a-Truck, and summer camp are great examples. I'm always inspired by the teamwork, attention to detail, passion, and genuine care our members put into making these events happen. It's wonderful to see so many people working together, sharing their time and talents to create something special for our neighbors. To me, that's our church living out its faith, not just within our walls, but in the community around us.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
To me, being a deacon is first and foremost about serving others. It means being someone the members of our church can turn to when they need support, encouragement, or simply someone to listen. I want to make sure every member entrusted to my care feels welcome, valued, and connected to our church family. It also means being willing to speak up and advocate for them when needed. I see being a deacon not as a position of authority, but as a responsibility to care for others and help meet their needs.
Stephanie Hatcher
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
Camp Wild Wonder! I loved seeing my Church family come together to help our children in our community get closer to God and feel his love!
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
We are at our best when we help by showing love to our community. Such as, Life Spring, gathering benevolence for those in our community in need, making meals for people in our community.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
First, what an honor to even be nominated. If I became a Deacon, I would love to help families in need. Help our church will all their needs! Help anyone grow in faith! Working with my church to show God’s love for everyone.
Neil Heath
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
When I still worked for the Georgia Baptist Convention there was a time when they said I could not be a member of a church that supported CBF. So we attended elsewhere for about 14 months, until I could retire. During that time, the love and support of Highland Hills kept us included and cared for.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
The mission trips we have undertaken over the years have allowed God to meet needs in so many places. Equally so are the ongoing ministries we do in our local community.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
It has been an honor to help give leadership to HHBC in past terms as a deacon. But I believe the heart of deacon ministry is serving, and I confess I’ve not done well at staying in touch with deacon families assigned to me in the past. That would be my challenge if asked to serve again.
Lyn Hicks
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
One particular time popped into my head immediately. It was in 2007 when the congregation worked together to publish the church cookbook. The project created deep connections and close friendships across the generations in our church fellowship. Church members submitted recipes (and not just the ladies), wrote the narrative, edited and formatted, created the artwork, worked with the publisher, promoted the book, bought the book, and contributed the receipts of the cookbook sale to our building fund.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
I think our church is at its best when we are showing hospitality to the community around us. That may be giving the Fall Festival, hosting the CBFGA conference, opening our doors to the Bibb County school choirs, giving out backpacks of school supplies, or simply welcoming and including a visitor to our worship service, a person in need of help with their electric bill, or a refugee.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
Being elected a deacon is an honor, and means that I am being trusted by my fellow church members to do my very best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and to serve him and others. It means I will faithfully worship, fully participate in the life of the church, connect with and serve the needs of my assigned families, and act as a leader in administering the business of the church.
Jean Keene
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
Having been a member of Highland Hills for sixty-six years, I have experienced many of the joys and sadnesses of life as a member. The pastor and leadership of Highland Hills celebrated with me when my children were born, graduated, and married. They were by my side when my husband died. I feel that God is constantly working in our community.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
We are at our very best when we hold an event such as the Fall Festival. We welcomed the entire neighborhood, LifeSpring ladies, and whomever showed up. We are at our best when there is an illness or death in a church family. They are comforted by pastoral visits, food, cards, and prayers. We are at our best when we gather around a table in the Great Room and share a meal.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
Being a Deacon brings with it a huge responsibility. Having been a deacon in the past, I am aware of those responsibilities. I pray that I would have the wisdom to care for my pastors, fellow church families, my church building and grounds, and especially the sick in our church.
Gloria Marshall
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
The Sunday Jim Bruner and Jeff Browne announced the calling of Caitlin and Ethan, I felt the Lord's presence and his work in our church. I have felt it and seen his work many times: our Maundy Thursday service, Camp Wild Wonder, July services in the Great Room, and our Dawning experiences.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
When we are working together toward a certain goal: our backpack ministry, LifeSpring visits, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School events, and work days (especially when we did them on Saturday).
What does being a deacon mean to you?
Serving as a deacon of HHBC is an honor and a great responsibility. It is an honor to serve the church in a leadership role, but we have a duty to use wisdom and good judgment when making decisions for the church. We also have a responsibility to our deacon families. We should stay in touch with them, remember them on special days, and if they do not attend services regularly, we need to keep them informed about what is happening in the life of the church.
Surelle Pinkston
Tell me about a time when you could see God working in our church community?
God was working during our interim time between pastors. I felt His reassuring spirit at our Good Friday service, sensing that His church was going to be okay. God's word faithfully fed us with soul filling sermons, and the Lord led new members to us. We were encouraged to expect the unexpected, and we joyfully anticipated who and what that would be.
Tell me about a time when you think our community is at our best?
Our community is at its best just being who we are, inviting, accepting, embracing, praying, searching, listening, seeking, obeying.
What does being a deacon mean to you?
Being a deacon means caring for a group of families in a personal way.