Distinctive Deacons

What is a Distinctive Deacon?
The Church of England recognises three orders of ordained ministry: bishop, priest and deacon. Those called to priesthood spend an initial period of time in ordained ministry as deacons before becoming priests. Others are called most strongly to remain as deacons and are known as Distinctive Deacons.

Scope of ministry of Distinctive Deacons

Distinctive deacons have a call to an outward-looking, community-minded ministry with the hallmark of mission through service according to their gifts and inclinations. They prefer to be out and about, making contacts, building relationships, identifying and meeting needs, creating stepping-stones between God and the world.  Deacons are pioneers, radical in their outlook and ready to try new ways of serving God in the community. They often have a particular concern for issues of poverty and justice and many minister to those on the margins of church and society.

Distinctive deacons are ambassadors for Christ.  They serve under the bishop’s authority most usually alongside their parish priest with whom they minister.  They proclaim the gospel as Christ’s heralds in their life and work, encouraging congregations to share the good news of God’s love with the community.  Deacons have a specific liturgical role in church services reflecting the hallmarks of their ministry.  They proclaim the Gospel, encouraging intercessory prayer and send the congregation out at the end of the service to play their part in God’s mission.

Distinctive deacons are typically self-supporting ministers and many will continue in paid employment outside the church.  Their vocation deeply influences the way they do their job and develop their ministry.  Their diaconal ministry encourages all baptised Christians wherever they are to glorify God by reaching out to others.

Setting God’s People Free

Part of the calling of the deacon is to encourage the diakonia of all the laity, and this includes enabling and inspiring the whole church to reach out to their communities with gospel love.  Their ministry is a vital bridge between the gathered congregation and those outside the church.  As the report ‘Setting God’s People Free’ prepared by the Archbishops’ Council in 2017, asserted: ‘Until, together, ordained and lay, we form and equip lay people to follow Jesus confidently in every sphere of life in ways that demonstrate the Gospel we will never set God’s people free to evangelise the nation.’  Deacons are ideally placed to assist others with the challenging task facing Christ’s church of helping all to be free to evangelise.