Deacon Formation Evaluation Project 2007
Frequently Asked Questions
The Diaconate has been part of the Church for centuries, but as with most human endeavors it has been at the ebb and flow of need, human ego and the cycle that governs the world. While we need to look to history to see what a deacon started out as, we need to look at the modern Church to see what the need is today. The one thing I hope you take away from these FAQ's is that a deacon is definitely not a "mini" priest or assistant priest. The Diaconate is a full and equal order with bishops and priests, working together to make sure the Church is in the world and that the concerns of the world are being brought to the attention of the Church.
1. What exactly is a deacon?
According to the Book of Common Prayer (p 543), deacons are those called to a special ministry of servanthood directly under the bishop and who are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely. Deacons serve in the church but are at home in soup kitchens, hospitals, working as police chaplains, prison chaplains and a host of other places where those who need to see Christ reside.
2. What does the word "deacon" mean?
The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia. Activities to be named diakonia range from social work in something like a soup kitchen to the apostolic proclamation of the Gospel. According to our modern translations of Acts, we have the diakon-words identifying (a) distribution of food at tables (b) the activity of serving this food at tables and (c) the prime responsibility of the Twelve in 'the ministry' of preaching the Word. (Collins p 50)
3. Are there Biblical references to deacons?
Acts 6:1-6 is traditionally quoted as being about deacons; however, it could also be seen as the church undergoing growth and needing to make some changes to ensure all people were being cared for. Timothy 3:1-13 uses the term deacon and includes women. Philippians 1:1 is the earliest evidence of officials within a Christian community named bishops and deacons.
4. Are there historical roots for the diaconate other than the Bible?
Yes, the Didache (50-120 ce) speaks of the episkopoi and diakonoi performing the religious services which prophets and teachers had once provided (Collins p 101). Clement of Rome (ad 96), the martyr Justin (around 155), Polycarp mentions deacons in his letter to the Philippians, the Shepherd of Hermas and Ignatius of Antioch (ad 110) all spoke of the three-fold ministry of bishops, presbyters and deacons.
5. What do the words Didache, episkopoi and diakonoi mean?
The Didache is the common name of a brief early Christian treatise (dated to any point in the first three Christian centuries), containing instructions for Christian communities. Episkopoi means overseer/bishops. Diakonoi: envoys, emissaries, Diakonia: God's mission or ministry, Diakonein: those serving or attending to a task, Diakonos: messenger, waiter, Diakonon: attending under an official mandate for a sacred task, administrating
6. If the diaconate has always been around, why haven't I heard about it?
There have been three phases of church history concerning the diaconate:
7. Why does the Diocese of Texas feel the diaconate is a necessary part of the ordained clergy?
Bishop Wimberly has a vision for raising up leaders for ministry in the local congregations. He understands the orders, Bishop, Priest, Deacon along with Laity are all needed to do the work of the Church and to "be" the Church to the world. The Preface to the Ordination Rites (BCP p 510) says that the Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear that from the apostles' time, there have been different ministries within the Church. In particular, since the time of the New Testament, three distinct orders of ordained ministers have been characteristic of Christ's holy catholic Church.
8. What about the Laity mentioned above?
The Baptismal Covenant says that we will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. We will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. We will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. All those things in the covenant (BCP p 304) say very clearly that those baptized Christians are also called to live out their faith in service to those who cannot speak for themselves and those who need to hear the Word.
9. Is there any connection between the historical diaconate and today's diaconate?
Without the history of the diaconate to bring greater understanding of what we're called to do we miss some of the very important activities that must be a part of who deacons are. St. Stephen and the other six from Acts didn't just do social work. Phoebe went on mission to deliver Paul's letters to Rome, Stephen himself was martyred because of his miracles and Philip first brought the Gospel to Samaria. They were definitely more than social workers. Deacons are called to be what the Church needs at the time. (diakoneo, vol 29)
10. Deacons are to be "servants" to all as well as a leader in the church (hence the term servant/leader). How do these two terms fit together?
Deacons, at their ordination, hear the bishop say, "at all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself". The deacon is to be an example of Christ, serving those who have no one to speak for them. Deacons are to lead all the baptized into ministries that fit their gifts and talents, ministries that build up the body of Christ, ministries that seek and serve Christ in all persons and in all situations. The deacon will always serve, but as an example, he/she must also lead others in developing the ministries to which they are called.
11. What kinds of deacons are there?
12. Deacons and laity both are called to service, what's the difference?
Deacons and laity are both part of the four fold ministry of the church. Neither can exist without the other. Deacons are called to focus on diaconal ministry. This means that they lead rather than take over a ministry. Laity, through their baptism, is commissioned to witness their faith and perform ministry. Deacons are the cheerleaders of the laity.
13. What would diaconal ministry look like?
The ministry of deacons involve activities like, hospital chaplaincy, soup kitchens, preaching, visiting those who are ill, working in formation programs, youth work, street ministries, directing feeding and housing programs, Jubilee Ministry, adult education, facilitating discussion groups, leading Bible study, ministering to shut-ins, visiting prisoners and fund-raising, seeing a need in the community and asking the church to help develop a plan to help. Anything that involves being Christ to someone in need is diaconal.
14. What's the difference between a deacon and a deaconess?
In the Episcopal Church USA, deaconesses were set aside (not ordained). The deaconesses were required to be celibate, single women, (until 1964) and they worked in charitable and pastoral functions particularly among women and children. They also had liturgical functions in the baptismal liturgy and daily offices.
15. If all priests must first be deacons, why do some deacons remain deacons?
While it is true that all priests are deacons for a transitional period of time, their calling is to the priesthood, shepherding God's children. The calling to the priesthood is distinct as is the calling to the diaconate. The call to the diaconate requires one to participate in the pain and suffering of those who are on the margins, those who society perhaps have forgotten and find some way to minister to them. The priest and the deacon compliment each other's ministries, however they are distinct.
16. What are deacon masses? Will the deacons in the Diocese of Texas be allowed to officiate at them?
In Deacon's Masses and Communion Services, the deacon, first of all, is serving in the role of presider as a substitute priest with the reserved sacrament. The service became popular in the Episcopal Church in the 1950's and 1960's. The service may be used only when a priest is unavailable and by authorization of the Bishop. The Diocese of Texas Bishop, Don Wimberly, has said an emphatic no to deacon masses. Deacons are not called to be behind the table to consecrate and serve, but to the side to set the table, assist in serving and then to clean up.
17. Are deacons allowed to marry/bury/baptize? Are Deacons allowed to be married?
There is a provision for deacons to conduct or preside at these services, but only under certain circumstances and with certain limitations. For instance, the deacon does not administer the chrism in the baptism or pronounce the nuptial blessing in a wedding. The deacon is a servant, not a presider, and as such is involved in liturgy including, reading the Gospel, setting the table, prayers of the people, dismissal, not presiding. Deacons are allowed to marry.
18. What exactly do deacons do in the liturgy?
As defined by Ormande Plater in Deacons in the Liturgy,
19. What is the deacon role?
Each of the liturgical functions of a deacon addresses and fulfills the primary role of a deacon-to be an interpreter to the Church of the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. Furthermore, on the rare occasions in which members of all the orders-laity, bishops, priests, and deacons-are present and involved in the preparation and ministration of Eucharist, the balanced working together of representatives of all the orders is a powerful expression of the unity of the body of Christ.
20. What qualifications does one need for the diaconate?
Most of the applicants have a degree, but not all. Most of the applicants have taken EFM, but not all. Most of the applicants have jobs in the secular world but some are retired. All of the applicants are involved in ministry, Community of Hope, prison ministry, hospital chaplaincy, developing programs on their own as needs in the church arise. These are active people in the congregation, those who live a Rule of Life, which includes prayer, immersion in Scripture, self-examination and regular study.
21. How does someone "discern" whether the diaconate is a calling for them?
Our local congregations should be recognizing people who are already doing deacon work and showing leadership skills and then recommending to them to seek discernment, or the discernment process may be started by the individual himself/herself. Reading books on discovering your call is always good, for instance, Hearing God's Call, Ways of Discernment for Laity and Clergy by Ben Campbell Johnson, Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential by Gordon T. Smith. Of course, you might want to read Deacons and the Church by John Collins to get idea about what being a deacon entails.
22. If a person decides he/she is being called, then what?
Talk to your rector and ask him/her to help you convene a discernment committee. Once you've met with your committee over a period of time, and they and your church agree that this is a calling for you, then you must apply with the diocese and go through their process of interviews.
23. Are there deacons in all denominations and do they look the same?
There are deacons in many of the denominations, and their focus is on justice and mercy, charitable work, and being involved in the congregation.
Differences: Roman Catholic deacons are married men whose wives go through their training with them. In 1996, the United Methodist Church began ordaining deacons as full members of the clergy and stopped ordaining transitional deacons. Deacons are paid members of their clergy. Lutherans are not ordained; they are consecrated diaconal ministers. The Presbyterians and Baptist are similar and are spiritual leaders who are also part of a supervisory/board advisors to the church and to the pastor.
24. If deacons are non-stipendiary who is their boss?
Deacons serve under the authority of the Bishop and are assigned in the Diocese of Texas where needed. Deacons will, in most cases, work under the direct supervision of a Priest, and the capacity to work comfortably in a subordinate position is fundamental to the Diaconate. Deacons are assigned by Canon Andy Doyle after discussion with others as to the best possible placement, although ultimately, according to Canon 7, Deacons serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop.
25. What are the steps to the Diaconate?
After your discernment process at the local level, you must complete an application,
go through the interview process all the way to the
Bishop and, if approved, go through a two and a half year program with ordination
at the end. The program includes Academic Work, Field Work, Liturgics, Church
History, a final, meetings with the Committee on the Diaconate and the Standing
Committee, and at the end ordination. You would periodically take continuing
education classes after ordination.
Diaconal ministry is part of a three-fold ordained ministry in the Church of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Diaconal ministry is part of a four-fold total ministry of the Church consisting of Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity. Each of the ministries listed is called to love God and love one's neighbor, and our calling determines for each of us how we do that. The point of any ministry is to glorify God in our lives and in how we serve others. Each of us, when we find those ministries we are called to, must live out our lives in obedience to that particular calling. If we are faithful and discern our gifts while staying connected to the community of faith and to God, we will know what we are called to and how God wants us to serve.
I hope the "Frequently Asked Questions about the Diaconate" will give those who are called to ordained ministry in the diaconate, some idea of what it entails to be in ministry in the Church, in the world, and in the margins. I am not a deacon because I want to be ordained, I am a deacon because it is what I am called to do, and it happens to be an ordained position.