“We don’t need deacons any more.”

We deacons get used to people questioning our identity and purpose.  It's not only individuals who fail to understand:  sometimes a diocese will simply ignore our vocation and seem unable to fathom it or understand how it fits in with other ministries. It can be upsetting and distressing. All this is far too common in the life of the #distinctivedeacon.  To counter it, we've asked Bishop James Newcome to tell us how he sees the place of the diaconate in the life of the diocese.

DEACONS INTERRUPTED: Deacons in Discussion with Al Barrett and Ruth Harley

I'm delighted to say that we are offering DEACONS INTERRUPTED, an autumn zoom for distinctive deacons - and anyone interested - to discuss the diaconal elements of Al Barrett's and Ruth Harley's best-selling book, Being Interrupted.  This book is making waves this year, and is a radical look at how we do mission.  It's a long time since I was so excited by a book ! - because so much of it turns out to be diaconal.