Growing
January 07, 2025
In those days, as the number of disciples grew, a dispute arose between the Hellenistic Jews and those who spoke Hebrew, that the Greek-speaking widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve assembled the community of disciples and said, "It's not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Look around among your numbers for seven people who are acknowledged to be deeply spiritual and prudent, and we will appoint them to this task.
~Acts 6:1-3
What It Means to Be a Deacon
Earlier this month, I had the wonderful opportunity to preside over communion. This was a big deal because deacons have not always had the ability to preside at the sacraments by themselves. However, at the last UMC General Conference, ordained deacons were given the ability to preside at the sacraments "when contextually appropriate" without needing explicit permission from their bishop. This means deacons can now offer Holy Communion and conduct baptisms where they have been appointed to serve, whether that is a church, outreach ministry, or mission. While this is exciting news, it has also seemed to spur a question in the minds of many: What exactly is a deacon?
I’m glad you asked!
Deacons are ordained clergy who lead the people of God through ministries of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice. More than 30 years after deacons became an official order of the United Methodist Church in 1996, I became a provisional deacon in June 2021 and was ordained in June 2023. At ordination, I received a pitcher and bowl to symbolize Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and the deacon's call to serve, not only in our congregations but also in our communities.
In the Church, deacons help to lead worship. We preach, teach, pray, and conduct funerals and weddings. Some deacons serve congregations in ministries of Christian education, music, outreach, administration, or pastoral care. Ideally, a deacon should also raise the congregation’s awareness of the needs and injustices of the larger community and throughout the world, leading outreach ministries by guiding the faithful into ministry beyond the church walls.
Beyond the local congregation, deacons may serve in social service agencies: in schools, hospitals, and institutions where we have opportunities to be examples of the love and grace of God. I personally know deacons that are nurses, professors, and public school teachers, and once heard of a deacon that was the mayor of a small town while he served at a local United Methodist Church. Deacons are called to serve both in the Church and in the world.
The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos, meaning servant/attendant. It was long seen as a “servanthood ministry,” for the service of the poor and the distribution of alms. Acts 6 is believed to be the first place in scripture where we find deacons mentioned. In this text, the poor and widows had no one to advocate for them and this became an important aspect of the work of deacons.
Another Greek word related to diakonos is diakonia. Diakonia is service by deeds and by words, performed by Christians in response to the needs of the world. It is rooted in and modeled on Christ’s service and teachings. All Christians are called to participate in diakonia in some way. Deacons are specifically called and ordained to exemplify for the whole church this ministry of service to each other and service to the world.
Rev. Dr. Margaret Ann Crain was Director of the Deacon Program at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary and an expert on the history and ministry of deacons. In her book The United Methodist Deacon, she says this about the call of the deacon:
"Deacons are at the margins, both in congregations and in the world, compassionately loving and including people who are usually not included. Deacons are demanding justice for those at the margins, reminding the church of its mission to bring the world into harmony with God’s vision."
As we move further into a new year, in what new ways is God calling you to serve both in the Church and in the world?
