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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3396 notes).

Note 3394 by UMNS on Jan. 27, 1997 at 15:48 Eastern (4354 characters).

SEARCH: new deacon, diaconal ministers, formation events, United
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CONTACT: Linda Green                              40(10-71B){3394}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Jan. 27, 1997

Diaconal ministers considering
aspects of new order of deacons

by Diane Huie Balay*

     The first group of permanent deacons will be ordained in
annual (regional) conferences across the United Methodist Church
this May and June.
     The church's 1996 General Conference created the new order of
deacon. Before that, the office was part of a two-step ordination
process in which the deacon was understood to be a transitional or
probationary position enroute to becoming an ordained elder.
     In six regional events held across the church in January and
February, 1,050 United Methodist diaconal ministers are meeting to
explore whether they, as consecrated lay people, feel they can
answer their call from God to become ordained deacons.
     Two events for diaconal ministers exploring the vocation of
the new order of deacon were held Jan. 13-16 in Irving, Texas and
Jan. 20-23 in Atlanta. Other events are scheduled Jan. 27-30 in
New York; Feb. 3-6 in Nashville; Feb. 10-13 in Mundelein, Ill.;
and Feb. 17-20 in Denver. The section on deacons and diaconal
ministries of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's
Division of Ordained Ministry is sponsor of the meetings.
     According to Jimmy Carr, staff executive for the section, the
events are "a significant step as the church institutes the new
order of deacon." He said the purpose of these events is to
provide diaconal ministers an opportunity to consider the many
aspects of the new order of deacon in full connection and its
relationship to diaconal ministry.
     Diaconal ministers who choose to retain their present status
may do so, however the diaconal ministry program is being phased
out. As a result of the 1996 legislation, diaconal ministry
candidates will no longer be accepted. 
     The words "diaconal" and "deacon" come from the same root
word, diakonia, which roughly means, "the role of a servant."
     Under previous United Methodist legislation, diaconal
ministers were consecrated to a ministry of service, love and
justice. The new deacon will be ordained to word and service.    
     There are approximately 1,400 diaconal ministers who serve
the church in professional positions such as administrators,
counselors, music ministers and Christian educators. They also
serve as social workers and fill other positions in the community
at large.
     In the formation events, diaconal ministers are attempting to
discern God's will for their ministries; learn the steps they must
take to become deacons if they elect to do so; consider ways in
which their identities may shift; and discuss what ordination as
deacon might mean to them and to any congregation they might
serve.
     The biggest practical difference between a diaconal minister
and a deacon is that the deacon is an ordained minister and a full
member in the annual conference. The diaconal minister is a lay
person.
     The three-day formation events are marked by periods of
worship, prayer and discernment, interspersed with video and
personal presentations by United Methodist bishops and staff from
the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. 
     Emphasis is placed on the fact that each new deacon would be
expected to expand his or her ministry from such things as church
business or church music to leading the congregation to service in
the community and beyond.
     The strong emphasis on service is further augmented by the
closing worship services that are based on John 13:3-16, when
Jesus took a towel and washed his disciples' feet.
     According to Carr, there is no better example of a servant
leader than Christ. He said leadership in the church today "needs
to exemplify, as never before, service in the world by leading and
equipping all members of the church to live out their
discipleship."
                              #  #  #

     * Balay is an associate editor of the United Methodist
Reporter in Dallas, Texas.

     EDITORS NOTE: Photo to follow.

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