The Order of Deacons
A deacon is a man or woman called into holy mission in the Church and in the world - to lead the people of God in service in the name of the Risen Christ, and to serve the Church and the world as messenger, agent and attendant.
- Deacons are messengers of the Gospel who proclaim the good news to the Church and the world. They do this in part by proclaiming the Gospel in the liturgical assembly and by presenting the needs of the world to the Church. Deacons call all of the members of the Body of Christ to the work of transforming the world by striving for justice and peace among all people.
- Deacons are agents of the local Church - the diocese - and are to serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop. In this capacity deacons are the “go-betweens” who connect the work of the local congregation to the work of the diocese.
- Deacons are attendants who prepare the Holy Table for the Eucharist and help lead the faithful who gather week by week to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.
The role of Deacon requires unique gifts and formation, serving as an “ordained messenger of the faith” outside the walls of the congregation. Deacons model how to be in the Church and in the world as icons of service, and they have the ability to inspire that life in others.
Deacons help all members of the Body of Christ to be free to find places of connection with God in their lives beyond Sunday morning. Deacons are not those who alone do the work of the Church in the world; rather, they gather, lead, equip, and inform the laity in that work. In all their work, Deacons enhance the ministry of the laity, not supplant it.
According to our Canons, before ordination each Candidate shall be prepared in and demonstrate basic competence in five general areas:
(1) Academic studies including, The Holy Scriptures, theology, and the tradition of the Church.
(2) Diakonia and the diaconate.
(3) Human awareness and understanding.
(4) Spiritual development and discipline.
(5) Practical training and experience.
In this diocese this canonical requirement is further defined as below:
Deacons must be academically trained in:
- Holy Scriptures, and able to integrate scripture into their Diaconal ministry and the liturgy.
- Diakonia, and the role of the deacon in the Church.
- Christian ethics and societal issues.
- Theology, and how to translate through their work the Church’s understanding of the Paschal mystery, the Incarnation, Baptismal servanthood shared by all Christians, and Eucharistic community.
- The traditions of our Church, including church history.
- Some will have the gift and task of preaching and will be trained and licensed to preach.
Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
- prevention of sexual misconduct.
- civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
- the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
- the Church’s teaching on racism.
Further formation for ordination shall include
- Evidence of spiritual development and discipline. Deacons will be expected to live a Rule of Life, which includes prayer, immersion in Scripture, self-examination and regular study.
- Practical training and experience in a field education setting designed for each candidate.
How does one “do” this formation?
There are multiple aspects of formation, as is evidenced above. Part of the task is simply to find and take the various diocesan classes such as those on racism and sexual misconduct. As a candidate you will be assigned field education, and should be in close conversation with the Archdeacon concerning this work and how to structure it. Academic education can take place in a variety of ways. The DCOTE has ministry weekends and summer seminary opportunities which consist of reading assignments prior to the event, class, and then work following. You will be given reading lists of books to read, you should take notes and record what you learn! There are a variety of on-line opportunities for classes such as those offered by EDS and CDSP. Vancouver School of Theology has week long summer classes, as do many of our American Episcopal seminaries. Ask the local clergy to participate in a book study program.
Based on your past experience and education, you will need to develop a formation plan, this should be done in consultation with DCOTE. Ask the Archdeacon for help.
Demonstration of “competence” - the portfolio
Each candidate needs to demonstrate evidence of “competence” in the canonical areas listed above. Evidence is the way you show what you can do and what you have learned. Each candidate will put together a portfolio which lists the various canonical areas, and provides evidence of competence.
Such evidence may be:
- Paper-based, written notes or reports on meetings or seminars, reports by other of something you did, papers you have written. Notes on books you have read, sermons, teacher comments, notes from classes, projects from classes - anything in paper form.
- Witness evidence from a mentor or another person who experienced you in action such as visiting in the hospital or planning a liturgy. When you do something ask someone to write up a report with feedback and include this in the portfolio.
- A video or audio recording of you doing a particular action such as preaching a sermon or giving a presentation
- Any other form you can come up with, provided it can be easily understood by someone else and really does “show what you know.”
The process of collecting evidence can start as soon as possible. Ask the COM for advice and suggestions about what is needed. Talk with your mentor about areas you still need to develop and learn, ask about ways to fill in the gaps.
Remember - keep everything, don’t destroy anything which might provide evidence of work!
Everyone should get a “portfolio creation tool” which will help explain that there are topics which you need to demonstrate competence in, there are resources with which to use, and there is a variety of ways to provide evidence of such competence.
We do not want anyone floundering due to confusion about what is necessary - ask if you need help!