Through baptism, we become members of the Body of Christ and enter into a covenant with God to continue in the ministry of the apostles through worship, evangelism, and serving Christ in all persons. God is infinitely creative in expressing God’s mission through individuals’ lives and work, therefore the breadth of ministry available is as wide as God’s imagination.

We are all Christian practitioners of the good news, and our churches are communities of practice where we all attempt to live and learn into the shape of Jesus’s life and teachings together.

We are Living and Learning Communities of faith practice, which we express both inside and outside of the church walls.

I am discerning the Diaconate…

Derived from the Greek word diakonos, with a clear connotation of “servanthood.”

The ministry of a deacon is characterized by a commitment to serve Christ and his people as a missionary servant leader; a bridging link between the Church and the world in both word and deed (see also: The Ordination of a Deacon, BCP, 537).

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What are my vows as a deacon?

Promises taken from Ordination Vows (BCP, 543):

• Serve all the people, especially the poor, weak, sick, and lonely
• Study Scripture – seek nourishment from them; model your life on them
• Make Christ’s love known by your word and example to those with whom you live, work, and worship
• Interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world
• Assist the Bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God’s Word and Sacraments
• Show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself

What are my commitments as a deacon?

(adapted from ECMN Discipleship Hallmarks for Leadership)

• Commit to deepen relationship with God and to grow in faith with prayer, reading scripture, and commitment to worship and study
• Regular habit to practices of discipleship, modeling the rigor and discipline of prayer as a primary vehicle to walking the Way of Jesus
• Approach innovation and transformation as servant-leaders, advocates, witnesses and prophets, forming partnerships and relationships with others to build capacity for God’s mission, and leading and inspiring all people into the servant ministry of all believers.
• Respond to God’s call to service, justice, mercy, compassion, love, and peace for all creation.
• Believe that we are serving Christ as we serve particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the forgotten, and the unseen.
• Live out God’s ministries in the community and world with courage, tenacity, vision and hope.
• Dance on the edge of what is and what’s possible, bearing the light of Christ, proclaiming truth, and blurring boundaries.
• Articulate and preach the diaconal invitation to join God at work in the world

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What gifts, skills, and talents do you bring with you into this ministry?

If you have already explored the Thresholds of Vocation pages, then you may have a solid grasp on some of your talents. You can also explore these TEAC grids developed by the Anglican Communion to assist you in exploring some gifts and skills needed for the Diaconate.

Go through these grids and highlight the skills you feel confident you possess. Which ones need further discernment and development?

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You may also recognize yourself or your calling in the examples below, or these may spark your imagination about something unique to you.

Responsibilities	Liturgical	Ministry Settings (non-stipendiary)
– Serve directly under and accountable to the Bishop	– Proclaiming the Gospel	– Church administration
– Provide pastoral care	– Setting the table at the Eucharist	– Parishes and missions
– Represent Christ’s servant ministry to the poor, outcast and needy	– Giving the dismissal	– Chaplaincy (hospital, prison, school, etc.)
– Community organizer – within and outside church walls	– Preaching	– Missional community leader
– Development of leaders		– Church planter

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How do I know which pathway is right for me?

Making a decision like this is one that happens in community with others and with God. As we know, this is the spiritual practice of discernment, which requires a lot of prayer and self-reflection and listening for the movement of God’s Spirit in your life.

It’s also important to listen to and seek wise counsel from trusted friends and family members. You may also want to begin meeting with a Spiritual Director. It is also vital for you to visit with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation during your discernment process.

If you have not already explored the sections on Thresholds of Vocation, here are some questions to help you as you continue the discernment process. Reflect carefully on these questions. We recommend writing your responses to them in a journal so you can share your answers with others when you discern with them. If you have already explored the Thresholds of Vocation pages, then you do not need to reflect on these again unless you find it helpful to do so.

How am I claiming and living out my Episcopal identity?

How is the Episcopal community important in my life?

What are some of the practices I’ve found helpful in growing my faith?

How am I involved in my local faith community?

What ways have I found to connect my life in my faith community with engagement in the larger neighborhood and beyond?

How has being part of a faith community clarified and/or deepened my spiritual life?

What or where are the ministries I have said “yes” to in my church?

In what ways have I mentored others in their faith?

Where have I opened the space for conversation with others?

How do I understand my leadership in my local church?

How has my faith grown as I work to empower others to use their gifts to serve the community?

Part of discernment is trying out some of the ministry practices that you believe you are called to, and there are many ways to do this…

(Be sure to discern with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation which of these options are right for you and your congregation)

• Use the Book of Common Prayer in your daily life: Pray the Office, Use the Devotionals
• Read the Bible
• Get out into your community
• Join a Neighborhood Association
• Volunteer at a non-profit that does similar work as your church and begin building relationships
• Explore Missional Communities
• Practice civic engagement with your congregation to explore your skills around listening and working with opinions that are different than your own
• Join the Eucharistic Ministry team as both a LEM and a LEV to begin exploring your pastoral care skills
• Assist with leading Morning Prayer and engage more deeply with the liturgy of the church