Deacon's Handbook
Access the essential guide for deacons with key information and best practices.
Welcome to the Deacons' Headquarters
Your Guide to Building Stronger Connections Within Encounter Atlanta
Checklist for First Contact with New Member
Check-In & Communication Schedule
Every member relationship moves through four phases. Adjust the pace based on individual needs—the goal is genuine care, not routine.
Crisis & Emergencies
When a member faces a crisis, your role is to be present, listen, and escalate—not to solve the situation alone. All crisis situations require a response within 24 hours and notification to your Pastor or Elder.
Escalation: Notify your Pastor or Elder within 24 hours. Do not attempt to handle crises independently.
Confidentiality: Treat all member situations with discretion. Share details only with your Pastor or Elder as part of the escalation process.
Follow-up: After initial response, continue checking in regularly. Crisis care often requires sustained attention beyond the first contact.
Engagement Ideas
You own the planning for your group’s engagement activities. Use the ideas below as a starting point—mix and match based on your members’ interests, availability, and season of life. The best engagement feels natural, not forced.
Key Reminders
Every check-in should feel personal, not transactional. Use their name. Reference past conversations.
Don’t only reach out around events. The most impactful contacts happen when nothing is “happening.”
Log your contacts. A shared tracker keeps leadership informed and prevents anyone from slipping through.
Escalate early. If a member is unreachable or in crisis, notify your Pastor or Elder—don’t wait.
Celebrate wins. Baptisms, answered prayers, new group sign-ups—acknowledge them.