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The Rambling Rector

With Fr. Eric Zolner

What is a deacon?

6/8/2017

19 Comments

 
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On June 10th, D.J. Johnson and Robert Little were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Anglican Church of North America.  But what exactly does that mean?  Many denominations use the term "deacon," but what they each mean can be vastly different.  Since so many folks at All Saints are new to Anglicanism, I thought that perhaps a quick primer was due.  

What is the Diaconate?
As Anglicans, we view the Diaconate as one of the three orders of ministry along with the Presbyterate (i.e. priests) and the Episcopate (i.e. bishops).  Every priest is first ordained as a deacon, and every bishop is first ordained as a deacon and then a priest.  In the Anglican church, we view ordination as a sacramental act.  Thus, the result is not simply functional, but also ontological.  A person is ordained as a deacon not simply for a local congregation, but rather for the entire church, and he remains an ordained deacon for the rest of his life.  This is because the deacon is under the authority of a bishop rather than a local congregation.  In the ordination service, the new deacon confesses, "And I do swear by Almighty God that I will pay true and canonical obedience in all things lawful and honest to the Bishop of ___________ and his successors:  So help me God."  So even though most deacons serve in a parish, their ministry to that parish is through the Bishop.  Thus, a deacon must always be under the authority of a bishop.
How does one become a deacon?
Becoming a deacon in the Anglican church is not like being elected to the Vestry or joining the altar guild.  It begins with a call on the heart of the individual to serve the church in a specific way.  A vocational deacon (i.e. a deacon who is not seeking ordination to the priesthood) must have a heart for service.  It is his or her job to bring the concerns of the world into the church and the Gospel of the church into the world, esentially standing with one foot in the church and the other in the world.  For this reason, deacons typically serve without monetary compensation.  When a person feels called to this type of servant ministry the first step is to meet with the Rector, who will then form a discernment committee in the local parish.  This group will meet regularly with the aspirant and explore his or her call to the diaconate.  It is important to note here that ordination is not primarily about affirming the value of someone's ministry.  Just because a person is a respected leader in a church does not necessarily mean that he or she is being called to ordination.  The committee will explore the reasons the person feels called while at the same time evaluating the church's own need for a deacon.  Things like personal theology, interpersonal skills, and a willingness to serve under authority will all be discussed with the committee.

If the committee approves, the diaconal aspirant then meets with the Vestry and Rector.  If there are no stumbling blocks, the Rector will recommend the aspirant to the Bishop.  In some dioceses (like Pittsburgh), there will be a diocesan Commission on Ministry that will evaluate each aspirant and make a recommendation to the Bishop.  The bishop then decides to reject the aspirant or accept him or her as a postulant.  Requirements for postulants vary from diocese to diocese but usually involve classes and other course work, regular communication with the Bishop, and perhaps some practical ministry experience in a parish or hospital.  Eventually the postulant becomes a candidate, which means that ordination has been approved and an ordination date has been set.  Finally, the candidate is ordained through the laying on of hands by the Bishop in a public service.  Since deacons are ordained for the entire church and not just a parish, they are typically ordained in the Cathedral of a diocese along with several other diaconal candidates.

What does a deacon do?
The main role of the deacon is service.  In the ordination service, the Bishop tells the ordinand, "It belongs to the Office of a Deacon, to assist the Priest in public worship, especially in the administration of Holy Communion; to lead in public prayer; to read the Gospel, and to instruct both young and old in the Catechism; and at the direction of the Priest, to baptize and to preach. Furthermore, it is the Deacon’s Office to work with the laity in searching for the sick, the poor, and the helpless, that they may be relieved."  Liturgically, the deacon will vest and process for all services, read the Gospel lesson and the Prayers of the People, prepare the altar for the consecration of the elements, and assist in the distribution of Holy Communion.  In the absence of a priest a deacon can lead Sunday morning services and distribute Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament.  In addition, a deacon will typically have a ministry to the congregation, such as of assisting the priest in the spiritual care of the people, helping the poor and needy, leading specific ministries, or teaching classes.  The job description for the deacon of the church could simply read, "All duties as required."  

What is a deacon unable to do?
Although deacons traditionally serve as volunteers, there are no prohibitions for deacons serving on the paid staff of a church or diocese.  However, a deacon cannot serve as the Rector of a parish.  Liturgically, a deacon can lead the first half of a Holy Eucharist service but cannot consecrate the elements.  A deacon is not permitted to pronounce absolution or to give a priestly blessing.  For this reason, while deacons are able to perform weddings and baptisms, they are not permitted to bless the water for a baptism or give the nuptial blessing at a wedding.  

What do deacons wear?
Deacons traditionally wear clergy shirts and collars when serving in an official capacity.  Liturgically a deacon will wear a stole over his or her left shoulder (as opposed to the priest which wears the stole over both shoulders) and can wear a dalmatic (a sleeved garment similar to the priest's chasuble) when serving at the altar.  

What do I call a deacon?
The title "Reverend" is afforded to all deacons in the Anglican Church.  However, they should not be addressed as "Father," but rather as "Deacon."  So, for example, Robert will become "The Rev. Robert Little," and we can refer to him as "Deacon Robert."  

For more information on the diaconate in the Anglican Church, please take a look at the ordination service by clicking here.
19 Comments
Revd Gwynne Lawlor, Deacon in the Diocese of the Highveld, South Africa.
10/17/2018 05:18:21 am

Thank you for a clear and concise explanation of what a deacon is and what a deacon does. One of the problems in our Anglican Church of Southern Africa is that many parishioners and some of our priests do not fully understand the specific vocation and the role of a deacon, as opposed that of a transitional deacon. Deacons are often seen as "failed" priests.
Our Fellowship of Deacons is working to change this perception and ask for the prayers of our fellow deacons in Springfield.

Reply
Dani
12/6/2020 08:35:11 am

This is an issue in the United Methodist Church as well

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deacon link
6/8/2022 05:30:46 am

Im a deacon and my names deacon. haha ironic

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Resegofetse
3/3/2025 10:39:53 am

Haha! Very ironic, Deacon Deacon!

Rhonda Buckingham
11/5/2019 09:08:55 am

In the above very helpful article you say, " deacons are ordained for the entire church and not just a parish," and that deacons are ordained for life. Yet the vow of obedience is to a particular bishop and his successors.

What happens if a deacon must move to another parish?

Thanks for your help.

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Clarence Roberts
1/14/2020 03:36:17 am

Information about Anglican Deacons

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Deacon Chandra
11/6/2019 09:24:44 am

Deacons have to be licensed in a Diocese by the Bishop, to work at a particular church, just as Priest are. So if you did have to move to a new Diocese, the Bishop would need to talk with the Bishop in that Diocese and you would first need to get a license by that new Bishop, to work as a Deacon in the new Diocese. You now work directly under this new Bishop.

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Chuck Martin
12/21/2019 05:34:49 pm

I am a little long in the tooth, however my ministry has been primarily in the area of the homeless. I also have served as reader, cup bearer and acolyte in the Anglican Church. I am a brother of the Benedictune Congregation of our Savior (BCOS). Interested in serving in the ACNA as a deacon or in wherever capacity I am needed.
God bless
Chuck Martin
190 Poplar Way
Fayetteville, GA. 30214
(c) 470 446 5352

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Brendan Yanu Rigdon link
3/13/2020 07:08:31 am

Thank you for writing this.

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Ella
6/19/2020 11:28:11 am

Hi

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Ollie smiths
6/19/2020 11:39:03 am

Deacons wear stoles that are green,red,white and purple and they wear special Deacon tops

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Ella
6/28/2020 05:06:40 am

Goo goo ga ga

Reply
Rain stool
6/28/2020 05:05:56 am

I like it when it rains

Reply
Rain stool
6/28/2020 05:08:55 am

I am a deacon

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Cannon mole
6/28/2020 05:11:53 am

I have a deacon called foxly loxly

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Stuart boon
9/22/2022 06:04:11 am

I would like to become a Deacon from stuart boon I a. From stuart I am from Derby

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Bonolo
5/16/2023 11:53:07 am

Can I ask.. How many times is a Deacon censed with incense?
There is a confusion of a Deacon is censed like a priest.

can I humbly get that clarity.

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Rev'd Dcn John Woloszyn
5/24/2023 01:41:44 am

Thank you so much for this article. It is exactly what I needed to find as I prepare a talk on the Diaconate at our 1st ever diocesan conference in June. I was originally ordained in 2000 in the Roman Church but subsequently transferred to an Anglican Diocese. I hope you don't mind if I use parts of your post in my talk.

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The Rev. Mr. David Jackson (Deacon) link
10/17/2024 02:37:08 pm

I am a Deacon in the Anglican Province of Christ the King. I am interested in learning if there are any ACNA parashises withing a reasonable distance from Miami, OK; which is in Ottawa County Oklahoma.

Reply



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    The Rev. Eric Zolner

    Father Eric is a 3rd generation Anglican and the Rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Springfield, MO.  

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