Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 6

A Deacon’s Ministry

We know that a deacon is a servant who connects the church
with the world outside its doors. But how is that ministry unique
to the diaconate? To get a better understanding, it helps to take
a look at the Book of Common Prayer’s description of the three
sacred orders:

During the liturgy, you’ll see deacons take on roles that are
emblematic of their calling and that represent a specific aspect of
their ministry to the world.
Deacons proclaim the Gospel, leading and inviting others to tell
the story of Jesus to the people among whom they live.

The Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear

Deacons set the Eucharistic table, acting out their servant
ministry by laying out the holy food and drink so that people may
be strengthened to carry Christ out into the world.

that from the apostles’ time, there have been different ministries
within the Church. In particular, since the time of the New
Testament, three distinct orders of ordained ministers have been
characteristic of Christ’s holy Catholic Church.

Deacons give the Dismissal, reminding us that the people of God
are to go out into the world and serve.

First, there is the order of bishops who carry on the apostolic
work of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church.
Secondly, associated with them are the presbyters, or ordained
elders, in subsequent times generally known as priests. Together
with the bishops, they take part in the governance of the Church,
in the carrying out of its missionary and pastoral work, and in
the preaching of the Word of God and administering his holy

Still confused? Then keep reading. In the pages that follow,
we unpack a set of commonly perceived myths about the
vocational diaconate, and give you a glimpse of the new
Deacons’ School program.

Sacraments.
Thirdly, there are deacons who assist bishops and priests in
all of this work. It is also a special responsibility of deacons to
minister in Christ’s name to the poor, the sick, the suffering,
and the helpless.
(BCP p.510)

Deacon

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Virginia Episcopalian / Summer 2014

Bishop

Priest