Community of Deacons

The diaconate is deeply rooted in scripture from both the writings of the Old and New Testaments. The moral teachings for showing mercy and justice to all people and leading by word and example to love God and others as oneself are at the very core of the diaconate. Scripture tells us that Jesus “sent” his followers to share the message of God’s love and to extend his work of healing in the world. This work is service, or in Greek, diakonia. In the New Testament, the word “service” or diakonia, is multifaceted for it relates to a wide range of service types pertaining to the ministry of the early Church that reached beyond acts of charity. The New Testament is full of examples of early “deacons” doing ministry, from the distribution of food to widows, spreading the word of God, preaching, and healing. And not to take away from these significant accounts of the first deacons and their ministries, however, the best image of diakonia as descripted in scripture prior to the Book of Acts. It comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 13, when on the last night with his friends, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Jesus’ own ministry was that of humble service to others. He came not to be served, but to serve. The one who “sent” others into the field of ministry, also “acted” because his love was that great and ran that deep.

The diaconate has undergone a myriad of changes over the centuries. There have been several waves of transformation over several centuries, that have influenced the renewal, growth and development of today’s diaconate. But what hasn’t changed is the fact that the diaconate is a ministry of service—but in taking that a step further, we are all sent to serve.

In the Constitutions and Canons of The Episcopal Church, Title III Canon 7 states that “deacons serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop…” (1) Deacons perform tasks as appointed by the diocesan bishop serving all people, with emphasis placed on society’s marginalized. We serve under the direction of the bishop and in partnership with parish priests. But ultimately, the ministry of the Church includes everyone—the laity, bishops, priests, and deacons. The Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer outlines for us diakonia for the laity and the three orders of clergy. But most importantly, we are all called to be representatives of Christ and his Church in the perpetuation and extension of his work of healing in the world. Jesus’ voice still beckons us, sending us out to be servants, or agents of change in his name for the benefit and well-being of others with whom we share life in this earthly kingdom of God. We are all sent to serve the greater good for all of God’s creatures and creation.

The Diocese of Missouri is very blessed with a gifted, mighty, and tenacious community of deacons who are dedicated to building up all members of God’s wonderful and beautiful creation.

Archdeacon Harry Leip gives us a closer look at the ministry of a deacon in the Diocese of Missouri in this video: