Distinctive Diaconate: A Report to the Board of Ministry, The Diocese of Salisbury, The

The Distinctive Diaconate: A Report to the Board of Ministry, The Diocese of Salisbury. By The Working Party, Rosalind Brown (Chair). Salisbury, Wiltshire: Sarum College Press, 2003. 128 pp. £9.95 (paper).

The Distinctive Diaconate was prepared by the Working Party "to clarify our theological and practical understanding of the diaconate in order to focus ministerial policy for the next ten years" (p. 1). The tone for reception and implementation of the report is further stated by the bishop of Salisbury in his foreword: "The ministry of the deacon is foundational for all Christian ministry, and should be reinvigorated in the life of the church as a whole and in the diocese in particular" (p. 4).

This report provides a thorough review of the development of the diaconate and the ministry of deacons. In the first section a variety of previous works are considered, including, For Such a Time as This, published by the Church of England in 2001, strongly endorsing "the deacon as a person on mission, a messenger or ambassador, making connections, building bridges, faithfully delivering his or her mandate. The deacon is the visible sign of what the Church is called to be" (p. 15). Many other sources are cited, across church traditions including Lutheran, Methodist, Nordic Churches, the Reformed tradition, the Roman Catholic, Moravian, and Orthodox Churches, noting both the history of their experience and the current state of diaconal ministry within varying theological views.

A significant conclusion is that, "all churches have people whose diaconal vocation is recognized, but they are not always ordained or called deacons" (p. 59). The report further states that because of the broad practice of diaconal ministry, it should be looked upon as an opportunity to act ecumenically with other churches where there are equivalent ministries within their own tradition. The historical, theological, and current review of diaconal ministry is perhaps the best such statement available.

The report continues with a discussion of the various ministries of deacons, including the basis as expressed in the ordinal at ordination in a new trial liturgy in the Diocese of Salisbury. Deacons following their gifts are involved in liturgical, catechetical, pastoral, and administrative duties. In summary, "an important element of diaconal ministry (is) enabling the ministry of others" (p. 57). Also important is a careful look at the relationship of the diaconate to various lay ministries. Whether deacons should baptize, anoint the sick, or preach are considered with suggested conclusions.

The second major section of the report looks at ministerial policy for the next ten years. There are some important questions facing any diocese considering the ministry of deacons. Each is considered with care and an initial plan with recommendations is set forth. Major tasks are defined as the fostering of diaconal vocations, including key issues such as selection, stipendiary or non-stipendiary, and identifying what we seek in a deacon. A second task looks at the training of deacons. A third task addresses continuing ministerial education and ongoing support for deacons. Financing is also considered and recommended.

One of several frameworks offered in the report is a focus on where diaconal ministry takes place, where the Working Party discussion "highlights . . . strands of diaconal ministry" (p. 87). Strands of diaconal ministry are named in three categories: the deacon in the church, the deacon in the world, and the deacon on the boundary. In addition, a series of attitudes, qualities, and "giftings" are framed that might be looked for in a person considering the diaeonate. An example is "the ability and willingness to work in a team" (p. 89). The concept of working together with others flows throughout the recommendations.

Though prepared for a diocese in England, this is the finest and most comprehensive report on the diaeonate I have read. It will be of great assistance to any group considering the development or reformation of diaconal ministry.

EDWIN F. HALLENBECK

North American Association for the Diaconate

Providence, Rhode Island

Copyright Anglican Theological Review, Inc. Spring 2004
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