Deacon Ministry and Social Welfare Delivery in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Calabar Presbytery

This study evaluates the role of the diaconate within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, focusing specifically on how deacons in the Calabar Presbytery, Cross River State, South South Nigeria, deliver social welfare services to vulnerable members of their congregations and broader communities. The diaconate, rooted in the New Testament model of servant ministry, has been theologically mandated to care for the poor, the sick, and the marginalised, yet its practical implementation varies significantly across Presbyterian presbyteries. Using a descriptive mixed-methods design, data are collected from 60 ordained and trained deacons, 120 welfare beneficiaries, and 10 presbytery administrators. Questionnaires assess the scope, frequency, and quality of diaconal welfare activities, while interviews explore motivations, training needs, and resource constraints. Findings indicate that deacons engaged in structured welfare delivery under formal presbytery coordination achieve broader community impact and report higher personal ministry satisfaction. Barriers include inadequate welfare budgets, limited diaconal training, and ambiguity about the scope of diaconal authority relative to elders and ministers. The study recommends a revitalised diaconal formation programme for the Calabar Presbytery and calls for a dedicated welfare fund in each congregation budget. Keywords: diaconate, social welfare, Presbyterian Church, Calabar Presbytery, servant ministry