The word Deacon (and its biblical cognates) denotes the labor of slaves, underlings, and helpers, emphasizing that all Christians are ministers to one another and that the whole of Christian life is devoted to ministry in the Name of Christ. It is also used in the New Testament and throughout Christian history for one of the authorized offices of the Church.
While the Bible’s first mention of Deacons is found in Acts 6, the spirit of the Diaconate is found as early as Joshua, Aaron and Hur who held up the arms of Moses, the seventy elders, and especially the Levites’ service to the priesthood, the Tabernacle, and the community. These people were uniquely indispensable displays of God’s supportive work through human hands.
Acts 6:2, however, clarifies the role with a single verb: to serve. This is the heart of a Deacon—to be a servant to all (Mark 9:35) in the perfect imitation of Christ (John 13:15). There is no seeking for self-promotion, only the edification of others and the elevation of Christ.
Within traditional Anglicanism, the Deacon is uniquely the Bishop’s man, serving under the direct auspices of the Bishop and assigned by the Bishop to one of his parishes. While this is generally the parish in which the Deacon is a communicant member, the Deacon must remember that need and urgency may require the Bishop to ask him to serve elsewhere—this is rare but always possible. In many ways, the Deacon is the succoring hands of the Bishop just as the Bishop is the hands of Christ.
Within the local parish the Deacon largely assists in the liturgy, proclaims the Scriptures, chiefly The Gospel; preaches when necessary; and instructs in the Catechism. While these are chiefly spiritual ministries, the original function of the Deacon was more practical and, consequently, more Christ-like: to seek out and minister to the poor, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, and the infirm (cf., Matthew 25:31-40; Acts 6:1-4; James 1:27). In other words, a Deacon’s labor focuses on the outworking of “true religion” which brings Christ into broken lives without the need for boasting or fanfare.
MDAS desires Deacons who are capably trained in the former while being equally diligent in the latter. Humble. Sacrificial. A drink offering poured out. Sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and prompt to respond. A moment of grace in graceless settings. Such is the high calling for a Candidate who enters this program as a Postulant for Holy Orders.
While the Bible’s first mention of Deacons is found in Acts 6, the spirit of the Diaconate is found as early as Joshua, Aaron and Hur who held up the arms of Moses, the seventy elders, and especially the Levites’ service to the priesthood, the Tabernacle, and the community. These people were uniquely indispensable displays of God’s supportive work through human hands.
Acts 6:2, however, clarifies the role with a single verb: to serve. This is the heart of a Deacon—to be a servant to all (Mark 9:35) in the perfect imitation of Christ (John 13:15). There is no seeking for self-promotion, only the edification of others and the elevation of Christ.
Within traditional Anglicanism, the Deacon is uniquely the Bishop’s man, serving under the direct auspices of the Bishop and assigned by the Bishop to one of his parishes. While this is generally the parish in which the Deacon is a communicant member, the Deacon must remember that need and urgency may require the Bishop to ask him to serve elsewhere—this is rare but always possible. In many ways, the Deacon is the succoring hands of the Bishop just as the Bishop is the hands of Christ.
Within the local parish the Deacon largely assists in the liturgy, proclaims the Scriptures, chiefly The Gospel; preaches when necessary; and instructs in the Catechism. While these are chiefly spiritual ministries, the original function of the Deacon was more practical and, consequently, more Christ-like: to seek out and minister to the poor, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, and the infirm (cf., Matthew 25:31-40; Acts 6:1-4; James 1:27). In other words, a Deacon’s labor focuses on the outworking of “true religion” which brings Christ into broken lives without the need for boasting or fanfare.
MDAS desires Deacons who are capably trained in the former while being equally diligent in the latter. Humble. Sacrificial. A drink offering poured out. Sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and prompt to respond. A moment of grace in graceless settings. Such is the high calling for a Candidate who enters this program as a Postulant for Holy Orders.