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Educational Requirements | Internship Requirements | Leadership | Acceptance | Accountability Grandparenting | Participation | Future Issues . |
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3. Members of the Synodical Diaconate
3.1 Members of the synodical diaconate are men and women who have been called by the Church to serve publicly after the example of our Lord Jesus. They are first and foremost Christian people in their usual employment and life, and are trained and formed by additional study and prayer for a special ministry to the Church and to the world on the Church’s behalf.
3.2 While some may be working in and for the wider church, most serve in local congregations and their surrounding parish communities. They may be known by a variety of titles, and in a variety of roles -- deacon, teacher, catechist, evangelist, youth worker, advocate, communicator, parish administrator, etc. -- or may have no title at all.
3.3 Members of the Diaconate of the Metropolitan New York Synod are those people who have applied for and been accepted into membership, who meet those requirements for membership set by the synod, and who subscribe to the guidelines for ongoing service and supervision as set forth in this document and any which may follow it.
4. The Ministry of Synod Deacons
4.1 At the heart of the ministry of deacons are public works of mercy, witness and worship, in solidarity with the poor and needy. The actual tasks undertaken by members of the diaconate will vary according to the gifts and skills of the deacon, and the needs of the church and its surrounding community.
4.2 For example: in our neighborhoods there are sick and shut-in people to be visited; people in need of helpful conversation, as well as physical and spiritual assistance; children and adults to be nurtured and taught; unconverted people to be served and evangelized; the homeless, hungry, addicted, isolated and imprisoned to be befriended and served; and so many among whom the worship of Almighty God ought to be extended.
4.3 Members of the diaconate assume a leadership role in worship, but this is not to be their primary responsibility. Rather, the serving function of deacons in the Church’s liturgy is to be a reflection of their tangible, actual servanthood in parish and world.
4.4 Members of the synodical diaconate shall neither preside at the Holy Eucharist nor exercise the Office of the Keys. They shall not administer Holy Baptism nor officiate at funerals, except at the direction of a supervising pastor, though they are encouraged to assist at both1. They shall not regularly preach, yet will on occasion preach in cases where an ordained pastor is unavailable, where they have received special training in homiletics, and have prepared to preach under the supervision of a pastor.
4.5 However, members of the diaconate are urged to lead the congregation in such historically diaconal roles as the Kyrie, the Prayers of the Church, preparation of the altar for the Lord’s Supper, and receiving the offerings of the people, and distribution of the Holy Sacrament2. These tasks are not to be undertaken to usurp the privilege of other congregation members to serve as assisting ministers, but rather to serve, wherever possible, as a living example and reminder to the congregation of our common baptismal calling to priestly service in the world.
4.6 Liturgical garb for the synodical diaconate follows the church’s historic usage as regards deacons. Deacons may wear the diaconal stole as a mark of their office, and they may wear the dalmatic, which also has historic precedence. Ordinarily clerical collars are to be worn only by pastors. A distinctive pectoral cross and official photo identification card help identify deacons as synodically authorized ministers of the Gospel.
5. Qualifications for the Synodical Diaconate
5.1 Members of the Synodical diaconate must be of sound moral character and mature faith. They will have demonstrated faithfulness in worship and service, and have shown an eagerness for further spiritual formation.
5.2 They are to be active members of a congregation of the Metropolitan New York Synod, accept and adhere to the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and they are to have been involved in parish life and leadership. They will have stability in their employment record and family life. If married, members of the diaconate will have the whole-hearted support of spouse and family.
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