The Convocation of the Methodist Diaconal Order
May 6th-9th 2025
Terry Drummond writes:
I was honoured to be invited to the Convocation to represent the Church of England Diaconate in May. I had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Order brought together a large number of people. I was until this time unaware of their existence and was heartened to be welcomed with a number of other Ecumenical guests.
The Convocation as one might expect was a mixture of plenary sessions and worship, though most of all it was a period of fellowship and for many an opportunity to gather with old friends whilst establishing new friendships.
The key theme of the gathering was a reflection on Philippians 1.1-11 ‘Continue to become the people God wants us to be individually and as an order’, for the sake of the world. The reflections on this theme were given by several participants both present and on screen. A reminder for all of us who us who are called to be Deacons, that our ministry is rooted in the Church but takes us into the wider community.
The ecumenical guests were on the first evening given an opportunity to share insights with the Convocation. It was heartening to be able to share insights into each of our approaches. The session was followed by an afternoon session with a question and answer discussion between the guests and the attendees. A session that suggested that across the Ecumenical scenario we had much to learn from one another.
In my ministry I have a particular interest and commitment to the contribution we can make in the public square, seeking to ensure that the Church is active in working on theological lessons that challenge injustice and inequality whilst working for the common Good.
The Convocation focused on this particular theme in sessions on the Holy Land, led by David Hardman from Jerusalem. At a time when war is all we seem to hear about from Israel and Gaza, it was salutary to hear at first hand, reflections on the everyday reality. Whilst we are not able to contribute a great deal to the problems, at least in these sessions we came away better informed.
In addition, there was focus on Engagement with a broken world, a theme that demands more careful theological consideration and reflection that addresses both the churches and the wider community. The potential for sharing insights and ideas was an element of the agenda, an openness that can shift the emphasis from internal debates, to looking to the wider community, to the challenges that are being met by those for whom the Church is largely unimportant.
The Convocation was an important gathering that was both celebratory and reflective. It offers a model of how creative thinking, fellowship and worship can contribute to the wider ministry of the whole Church, whilst creating new and positive relationships. It may be said that in the understanding of Diaconal ministry, the Methodists are ahead of many denominations.
There are lessons to be learned, if only we are open to being taught!
Revd. Terry Drummond
Terry welcomes responses to this article by email.
May 27th 2025
https://www.methodist.org.uk/about/the-diaconal-order/
For more about Deacon Terry Drummond, a member of the CENDD steering group, please see ‘Meet our patron and the steering group’ under the About the Network tab.
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 
I was invited to the Methodist Deacons conference very soon after I was ordained, because the person who was invited to attend was unavailable at short notice. I had a wonderful time and returned home having been showered with gifts. Now I have a regular commitment to collaborate with the Methodist Outreach worker in Bishops Cleeve on a regular basis at a local care home after we met at the opening ceremony seven years ago. Jennifer Wood
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Excellent! It all goes to show we are ‘better together’.
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