The United Methodist Deacon: Ordained to Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice

by Margaret Ann Crain

Overview

The United Methodist order of deacon represents the ever-evolving understanding of ordained ministry. But because of the continual changes, there is confusion about the call, roll, identity, and tasks of deacons. With vivid examples, this book gives a clear understanding of the order of deacon, beginning with a discussion of how its unique call sets apart persons for ordained ministry. Contents include: A Deacon Is Called and Sent A Deacon Is Connectional A Deacon Is Missional A Deacon Is Examined and Equipped The Meaning of Ordination A Deacon Is Appointed Deacons Lead the Church Epilogue: A Snapshot of Deacons and Their Ministry

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426776113
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	03/18/2014
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Margaret Ann Crain was ordained in 1997 and is a deacon in full connection in the Northern Illinois Conference. She served churches in Missouri and North Georgia before joining the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where she taught Christian education and qualitative research. As Director of Deacon Studies, she created a program that supported, advocated for, and trained many deacons when the new order was created in 1996. Crain retired as Professor Emerita. Her most recent book is The United Methodist Deacon: Ordained to Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

1 A Deacon Is Called and Sent 1

What Is a Call? 4

What Does It Mean to Be Sent? 7

What Is the Identity of a Deacon? 9

What Is the Vocation of a Deacon? 15

Deacons Ate Living Out the Wesleyan Model of Social Holiness and Personal Piety 17

Deacons Are Fruitful 19

2 A Deacon Is Connectional 29

Deacons Are Connected to the Christian Community through Tradition 29

A Deacon Is Connected to the Supervisory Structures of the Church through Appointment 37

A Deacon Is in Partnership with Laity, Elders, and Bishops 39

A Deacon Is Connected through Membership in an Order 41

3 A Deacon Is Missional 45

Ministry of Word Is Both Embodied and Articulated 46

Ministry of Service Is to Lead 48

Ministry of Compassion 50

Ministry of Justice 51

Deacons' Ministries Bridge Church and World as the Ministries Contribute to the Mission of Christ 53

Deacons Extend the Eucharistic Table 55

4 A Deacon Is Examined and Equipped 59

Discernment and Candidacy 60

Academics 64

Provisional Membership and Residency 66

Rule of Life 67

Skills 68

Steps to Ordination 71

5 The Meaning of Ordination 75

Belonging to the Annual Conference 80

Reporting to a Charge Conference 81

Belonging to an Order 83

The Fellowship of Local Pastors 85

Part of the Body of Christ, with all Baptized Christians 86

Relating to the World of' Diakonia: Deaconess, Diaconal Minister, and Other Denominations 87

6 A Deacon Is Appointed 91

Appointment 91

Termination 97

Transitional Leave 97

Salary 98

Benefits 99

7 Deacons Lead the Church 101

The Church Gathered 103

The Church Dispersed 106

A Deacons Heart 107

Epilogue: A Snapshot of Deacons and Their Ministry 109

"Who Are Deacons? What Does Their Ministry Look Like? Describing the Doing (Skills) and Being (Identity) of Deacons 109

Deacons and the Four Missional Focus Areas 115

Notes 129