Deacons in the Eastside church of Christ:

In the Eastside church of Christ, deacons are primarily responsible for attending to the physical and practical needs of the congregation, including tasks like welcoming visitors, assisting with church upkeep, visiting the sick, and providing care to those in need, allowing the elders to focus on spiritual leadership and preaching; essentially serving as the "hands and feet" of the church as outlined in Acts 6:1-6.

Key duties of deacons in the Church of Christ:

• Greeting and ushering: Welcoming visitors and directing them to their seats. 
• Church maintenance: Overseeing the upkeep of church facilities and grounds. 
• Visitation: Visiting church members who are sick, elderly, or experiencing hardship to offer support and encouragement. 
• Assisting with communion: Helping to prepare for and distribute communion elements. 
• Caring for the congregation: Identifying and addressing practical needs within the church community. 
• Benevolence: Managing and distributing funds for charitable giving. 
• Supporting leadership: Assisting the elders in their ministry by handling logistical tasks

In the Bible, deacons are servants who support the church's practical needs, and their duties include:

• Preparing for services: Deacons may arrive early to make sure the church is ready for service, including setting up chairs, organizing communion elements, and ensuring the temperature is comfortable. 
• Assisting the Elders: Deacons may help resolve conflicts within the church and ease tensions. 
• Caring for the sick and needy: Deacons may visit the sick and needy in the church. 
• Preparing for church meetings: Deacons may prepare necessary matters for church meetings. 
• Other duties: Deacons may also handle administrative or organizational tasks, usher, or volunteer as the church treasurer.

Important points to remember:

• Biblical basis:

The role of deacons is primarily based on the account in Acts 6:1-6 where the apostles appointed men to serve tables and attend to the needs of the Hellenistic widows. 

• Focus on service:

The primary emphasis of a deacon's role is to serve the congregation through practical actions. 

• Spiritual qualifications:

While not primarily responsible for preaching, deacons are expected to demonstrate a strong Christian character and commitment to the faith.