Meditation 7: Watchful for God’s presence
‘Deacons are to seek nourishment from the Scriptures; they are to study them with God’s people, that the whole Church may be equipped to live out the gospel in the world. They are to be faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he reveals his kingdom among us’- Ordination of Deacons
Deacons are called to grow, to be formed and shaped through space and time into the image and likeness of Jesus. They are not called to be static, but to grow and flourish in kingdom character. They are not called to experience burnout or compassion fatigue, but to lifelong ministry displaying the gifts and fruits of the kingdom.
Deacons commit themselves to meditating on and studying God’s holy word, not only for their own nourishment but also with others. There is no Lone Ranger in the kingdom of God, and the deacon is committed to seeing others grow; in fact, we grow together.
Deacons recognise that they are not the only missional beachhead for the kingdom; rather, the whole church is the bearer of the good news in the world. The deacon is to equip the saints for works of service—the servant serves the ekklesia so that the ekklesia may serve the wider community.
Deacons are realists. They understand the pain of the world. But the deacon is also a hope-filled realist who anticipates that the living God is at work in the world. There is no darkness so dark that the love of Christ cannot shine.
The deacon, like a watchman, looks for signs of the coming kingdom breaking into the present, and is sensitive to the move of the Spirit both within the confines of the ekklesia and out in the community.
Father of Creation,
The God who speaks,
You have called us as deacons
to equip the saints for works of service.
By your Spirit,
may we be those who advance on our knees,
study your word,
and discern the presence of your compassionate kingdom.
Amen.
We thank Rev Jon Swales for leading us through this Lent with his perceptive reflections on the diaconate.
Image with thanks from BRF
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 