The Role of Deacons & Licensed Lay

MinistersThe relationship between

orders and mission

The Historic Diaconate

Διάκονος (diakonos) = servant, waiting-man, minister or messenger.

Second order of the Church.First deacons chosen to serve

internal, charitable needs of the fledgling church.

Historic ties to Apostolic/ Episcopal Ministry.

Deacons’ ministries are an extension of the apostolic ministry.

1 of 3 major orders (plus 14 minor orders in former days)

The Historic Diaconate (cont.)

1st deacons = “The 7” from Acts◦Stephen (the 1st martyr), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch

Never called DeaconsOnly Saint Phoebe ever called Deacon (Romans 16:1)

More History

Confusion about the “order” soon reigned

Deacons copied Apostles’ ministries:◦Stephen went out evangelizing◦Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch

Deacons & deaconesses.

And Even More!

Permanent order in Eastern churches (Orthodox and Catholic).

Mostly disappeared in the West by A.D. 1000.

Some deacons attached to cathedrals.

Final step to priesthood.

The Disappearing Diaconate

20th century restoration in Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist Churches.

Deacons assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties

Report directly to the bishop.

The Reappearing Diaconate

Proclaim the Gospel.Preach.Assist at Eucharist.Serve the poor and outcast.In short, they function in: the Word, the Liturgy, and Charity.

Distinctive Roles

Transitional DeaconPermanent Deacon

Only one diaconate

Two Types of Deacons?

Particular service to:◦Poor, Sick, Oppressed

Deacon’s service is a sign of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.

Deacons encourage & enable others to serve

Diakonia = Service

Symbolize“One foot in the world and the other in the Church.”

Deacons’ role in liturgy symbolic of their real ministry in the world.

To serve & assist, not to lead

Liturgical Roles

The Bishop says to the ordinand “Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?”

Roles Delineates at Ordination

“My brother, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.”

God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood

…serve … particularly the poor, weak, sick, and lonely.”

Ordination (cont.)

As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.

…interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.

Ordination (cont. again)

You are to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

…assist the bishop and priests in public worship.

…show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

More on Ordination

Canon 7: Of the Life and Work of Deacons

Sec. 1. Deacons serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop, or in the absence of the Bishop, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.

Canons on Deacons

Sec. 4. …Deacons assigned to a congregation . . . act under the authority of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight in all matters concerning the congregation.

Canons on Deacons (cont.)

Canon 7.4.(c) Deacons may serve as administrators of congregations or other communities of faith, but no Deacon shall be in charge of a congregation or other community of faith.

(d) Deacons may accept chaplaincies in any hospital, prison, or other institution.

(e) Deacons may participate in the governance of the Church.

Canons on Deacons (cont.)

Deacons are symbols of Christ and his church.

Icons=a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it either concretely or by analogy.

Deacons as Icons of Servanthood

Deacons have special role in training lay servants

EMs & EVsEquipping the voice, hands and feet of Christ to become agents of grace for the healing of the world.

Deacons & the Ministry of Training

“Deacons are the ordained members of the Body of Christ who are given special charge ‘to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely’.”

—The North American Association for the Diaconate

Deacons & Pastoral Care

Witnessing through deeds.Witnessing trough proclamation.

Call for transformation of giver and receiver

Deacons as Prophetic Voice

Special responsibility for mercy & justice

Leadership of encouragement, training, organizing.

Deacons as “Pointers”.

Deacons in Social Outreach

Challenge systems, structures, and powers that foster poverty, violence, injustice, and environmental degradation.

Speaking truth to power!

Deacons as Prophetic Voice (cont.)

Deacons, if one is available in the congregation, are responsible for the training of Eucharistic Ministers.

If no deacon, an experienced EM or the presbyter may arrange/lead training.

Rules: Eucharistic Ministers

Deacons train Eucharistic Visitors.

If no deacon in congregation, another deacon in the same deanery can be contacted to provide this service.

Rules: Eucharistic Visitors

Deacons do not ordinarily officiate

A deacon may deliver the charge to the couple

May ask for the Declarations of Consent

May read the Gospel

Rules: Weddings

And may perform other assisting functions at the Eucharist.

Deacons, in extreme circumstances, may officiate at weddings

Bishop’s permission need in each circumstance

Rules: Weddings (p. 2)

Sacrament at weddings is led by the couple

No nuptial blessing!No Eucharist/Communion!Deacon should counsel the couple to seek a Nuptial Blessing a.s.a.p.

Rules: Weddings (p. 3)

It does not exist; there’s no such liturgy. In the absence of proper sacramental leadership,

Morning Prayer is the appropriate service. The BCP permits Deacons to be authorized to

distribute Holy Communion from the reserved Sacrament.

Authorization must come from me on every occasion.

It will be given only on very rare occasions and under truly unique circumstances, never because of bad planning.

When authorized the service outlined on page 408 of the BCP will be followed.

Rules: “Deacon’s Mass”

Leading services confuses proper role

Distracts from proper exercise of ministries.

Deacons who feel called by God to lead services need to re-enter discernment for the presbyterate.

Someone Is Going to Ask, “Why?”

Q & A Time

The Roles of Licensed Lay

Ministers

Title III, Canon 1: Of the Ministry of All Baptized Persons

Sec. 1. Each Diocese shall make provision for the affirmation and development of the ministry of all baptized persons, including:

(a) Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to minister in Christ's name, to identify their gifts with the help of the Church and to serve Christ's mission at all times and in all places.

(b) Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to sustain their ministries through commitment to life-long Christian formation.

Ministry of All Baptized Persons

Defunct titleFormer name for Worship Leader

Please stop using

“Lay Reader”

Commonly assumed to a licensed ministry for laity.

Not in canonsEvery Christian is suppoed to be an Evangelist!

Evangelist

Requires no license beyond the invitation of the rector of priest-in-charge.

Authorized to read lessons in liturgies.

Attention to voice, diction, and delivery are in order

Lector

Training customarily by or arranged by Deacon

Direction customarily from Deacon

Recommendation from Priest required

Licensed by Bishop for three years

Initial license may be less

Eucharistic Minister

Part of congregational pastoral care team

Connects the absent to the community liturgy

Training by or arranged by Deacon Oversight customarily from Deacon Priest must recommend Licensed by Bishop for three years Initial license may be less

Eucharistic Visitor

A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach.

May only preach under the direction of the clergy or other leader exercising oversight.

Training required Licensed by Bishop in consultation with Commission on Ministry

Preacher

Catechists prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

They function under the direction of the clergy or other leader exercising oversight

Training required Licensed by Bishop in consultation with Commission on Ministry

Catechist

A Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop.

Training? You betcha!Supervised by Bishop or deputy

Pastoral Leader

A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Training required. Licensed by Bishop Granted in certain circumstances

Worship Leader

Let’s get our deacon to

We don’t have a priest!

Let’s get our Deacon to lead the service

Deacons are not mini-priests waiting to pinch-hit when there’s no priest

Deacons assist, not leadEnjoy Morning Prayer – anyone can lead

We don’t have a priest!

We do not fall from God’s grace if we do not have weekly communion

Try the spiritual exercise of finding grace in the Word and in prayer . . .

It’s not only in the sacraments

We want communion!

Let’s get our EM to lead the service and distribute reserved communion?

Not authorized by their license

How about a Worship Leader?Not authorized by their license

But we really want communion!

Circumstances may compelDeacons assistEucharistic Ministers assistPriests leadWorship Leaders leadHow to make this work?

But we can’t get a priest often enough and no other solution works . . .

Bishop or Priest w/ or w/out Deacon

Worship Leader alone (non-communion services)

EM alone (MP only, as anyone)Worship Leader assisted by EMs or Deacon (communion OK—special diocesan liturgy forthcoming)

What Does Work?

Not yet! Wait for the word.Liturgy in preparationRight circumstances must prevail

Worship Leader(s) must be in place

EM(s) too, maybe Deacon

When Can We Start?

Q & A Time