DEACONS: History, Tradition and Present Day in the Episcopal Church

1. DEACONS:History, Tradition and Present Day in the Episcopal Church

2. A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I among you as one who serves.”Luke 22:24-27

3. This is a description of “diakonia” which means “ministry” or “servanthood” From “diakonia” comes: “deacon” “diaconal” “diaconate” And Jesus continued to enact this way of life throughout his days.

4. From the Acts of the Apostles: Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.”Acts 6:1-4

5. What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Acts 6:5 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. St. Stephen St.Philip

6. Some say these were the first deacons;others say they were apostles to the Hellenists. In any event, deacons soon appearedthroughout the Early Church. In fact, we know that the order of deaconis the oldest of the orders of ordained ministry.

7. Deacons appear in Scripture • Romans 16:1-2I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. • Philippians 1:1-2Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. IgnatiusBishop of Antiochmartyred around 112 the three-fold understanding of ordained ministry Bishops (episcopos – overseer) - unity with the Bishop is a symbol of unity with the one God Presbyters (presbyteros – elders – later called “priests”) - representing the council of the apostles Deacons (diakonos – ministers – agents – servants) - symbols of Christ

9. The pattern in the Early Church • Each congregation had its own bishop plus seven deacons • The role of presbyter emerged later – first as elders in the community, and only later as “vicars” or representatives of the bishop sent into outlying areas to serve the congregations there • The order of deacon retained its own authority and integrity until the fourth century, but there continued to be important deacons throughout history

10. Some deacons, like Athanasius of Alexandria, were elected bishop directly, without having served as priest. Athanasius of AlexandriaFourth Century defender of Nicene orthodoxy

11. Other notable deacons – • Died 1226

12. David Pendleton Oakenhater deacon missionary (19th and 20th century)Died August 31, 1931

13. Thus, from the earliest days of the Church, deacons have been for us: Servantsas signs and reminders of Christ’s own nature Angelsmessengers heralding the needs of the world to the Churchand heralding the gospel to the world Agentsas catalysts; engaging the faithful in ministry;linking the gathered community with the wider communityassisting with diocesan administration

14. Until… • The growth of the church created the growth of the priesthood as “vicars” or representatives of the bishop, sent out into the outlying areas to serve congregations • Hierarchy grew to new heights. • The diaconate became transitional- a stepping stone or internship for the priesthood - • The diaconate lost its integrity and became an “inferior office”

15. Beginning to Recover Diakonia 19th Century: Lutheran – “deaconesses” and “deacons” to reawaken servant ministry Episcopal - deacons (male) as missionaries to Native Americans & ethnic groups (1840’s – 1930’s); - deaconesses (female) taught and took care of the sick and poor (1885-1970) 1950’s – Emergence of the “perpetual” deacons 1962 – Vatican II restores the permanent diaconate 1968 – Lambeth commends the restoration of the diaconate throughout the Anglican Communion

16. Most recent book comprehensively about the Diaconate Foundations: Focus on total ministry of the church Restoration of Baptism as initiation for this ministry vs. being only about personal salvation

17. Susanne Watson Epting’s “Seven Waves of the Diaconate” • 1840’s-1930’s – Missionary or indigenous deacons, e.g., David Pendleton Oakerhater • 1885-1970 – the deaconesses, modeled after the deaconess institutes (Lutheran) in Germany • 1952-1979 - Perpetual deacons, only male and defined mostly by their relationship to the presbyterate

18. Waves of the Diaconate (cont’d.) • 1970’s – 1980’s - The “real” transitional deacons • Women could be ordained deacons (some readying for the priesthood) and perpetual deacons continued. • “Assisting the Bishop and Priests”…took precedence over “to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world”.

19. 5. 1979-1985 - Definition of the Diaconate The 1979 Book of Common Prayer: The diaconate began to be shaped by the new edition of the Episcopal Church’s prayer book.

22. 6. 1999 – present – The Interpretive Role of DeaconsGenerally…What are the needs and concerns and hope of the world?How do the people of God respond?

23. Especially…from The Examination, BCP, p. 543: You are to make Christand 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.

24. “Wading into the seventh wave” – the new millenium • The mutuality within the relationship of bishop and deacon • Deacons must be reminded about unity • Bishops about institutional pitfalls • Moving beyond traditional parish-only assignments • Social ministry on a church-wide basis

25. In all, there are nearly 3000 deacons in the Episcopal Church today – Association for Episcopal Deacons www.aed.org

26. Deacons remind us about the ministry of service by serving in the liturgy

27. proclaiming the Gospel

28. occasionally preaching

29. preparing the table and the gifts

30. Assisting the bishop

31. assisting in the administration of the sacraments

32. giving the dismissal – sending the people out into the world

33. Carrying the Paschal Candle and Singing the Exsultetat the Easter Vigil

34. The deacon stole symbolizes the authority of the basin and towel: Christ’s symbols of power, love and mutuality

35. Service is something we all do...

36. in many different ways.

37. Deacons are in our midst,always reminding us who we areas servants in the Name of Christ, and encouraging us to sharein the serving ministry of Jesus.

38. Vision Statement: …the Dioceseof Southwestern Virginia will be a household of congregations in which each parish will make known its blessings and challenges and desires of the heart, and diocesan leaders will respond tangibly through direct consultative services and building bridges between parishes and resources.

39. New Engagements To Support our Forward Mission under the MAP: • Engage Canon Missioners as Relational Diocesan Resources… • The Bishop will also explore how a diocesan deacon might be engaged to bring a diaconal perspective and witness to the developing mission team’s work on behalf of the diocese. This deacon would be called as a Canon Missioner and work equally alongside the Bishop and the other Missioners aforementioned.

40. III. Diocesan Deacons Deployed Missionally The Bishop will engage the deacons of the diocese in mission education and resourcing. This will involve the deacons occasionally joining the Bishop on his Sunday parish visitations, working with the Canon Missioners to engage and support parishes in new mission initiatives, and working with smaller congregations without the regular sacramental presence of a priest.

41. A Significant Realignment …As they are not directly associated with the ministry of a particular parish, deacons shall fulfill their traditional, ordained role of directly supporting the ministry of the Bishop.

42. Newly established Process for Discerning a Call To Ordained Ministry GO TO: Diocesan webpage www.dioswva.org “Ministries and Mission” Commission on Ministry Ordination Manual flowchart forms/checklists

43. All candidates for the vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia are expected to be competent in the canonical areas of study: • Holy Scriptures, theology, and the tradition of the Church • Diakonia and the diaconate • Human awareness and understanding • Spiritual development and discipline • Practical experience and training

44. Deacon Formation School • “The Deacons’ School” is a joint project between the Dioceses of Southern Virginia and Virginia to form future deacons of the Episcopal Church. • Our diocese has selected this program for deacon formation going forward. • Format and Time Commitment – Two year cycle accomplished in nine quarterly retreats, each one lasting from Friday evening until mid-afternoon Sunday.

45. More re: Formation School • Between the retreats students complete assigned reading and homework while interacting with their class and faculty through study groups, Skype, email and blogs. • The Deacons' School Campuses: in the 2014-2016 cycle are: Chanco on the James, the diocesan retreat center for the Diocese of Southern Virginia; and The Shalom Retreat Center, a Roman Catholic retreat house in Montpelier, Virginia.

46. In addition, practicalexperience in two specific ways: • Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.)—a minimum of 1/2 unit (180 contact hours) in an accredited C.P.E. center, combined with individual and group supervision.) • Parish Field Work—six months at 8-12 hours per week (250 contact hours)