The Episcopal Church

The Diocese of Georgia

Deacon School for Ministry

Diaconate Competencies

The objectives for the course of study in the Diaconate and Diakonia are as follows:

• The history and development of the Diaconate
• The theology and scriptural foundation for the Diaconate
• Traditional purposes and contemporary applications of the Diaconate
• Identification of the various deacon ministries
• Identification of relevant national and diocesan canons to the Diaconate

The postulant/candidate will demonstrate competencies in these objectives by providing, either written or orally:

• A survey of the scriptural and historical roots of the Diaconate.
• A survey of the diaconal aspects of the Book of Common Prayer.
• An address of the contemporary need for the Diaconate.
• A design for a particular parish ministry by identifying:
• The rationale for a choice of the ministry
• Strategies for recruiting and motivating the parishioners to engage in the ministry
• Correct short responses regarding the appropriateness of deacons engaging in 8-10 situations according to BCP rubrics, Bishop' Customary and canons.

Required Reading:

Barnett, James Monroe – The Diaconate: A Full and Equal Order

Booty, John E. – The Servant Church: Diaconal Ministry and the Episcopal Church

Plater, Ormonde - Many Servants: An Introduction to Deacons

For further study, I would recommend the following books:

Brown, Rosalind - Being a Deacon Today: Exploring a Distinctive Ministry in the Church and in the World

Collins, John N. – Deacons and the Church

Niebuhr, Richard – Christ and Culture

Sims, Bennett J. - Servanthood