Missing notes from previous quotes from “Being a deacon today” (turned two pages at once (doh!))

“In the church of England where reader ministry is well established and valued, there is a danger of misunderstanding the ministry of a deacon as a duplication, even replacing, that of a reader.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Readers were established in the nineteenth century as a lay ministry that has its origins in the earlier order of lector.  This is a quite different origin and focus from the ministry of a deacon… Antonia Lynn uses the image of the deacon as ‘the old retainer’ servant who knew the family he or she served for years, and uses that knowledge to take the initiative and keep it running smoothly.  To do this, the deacon need not be a priest, but should have theological training and an immersion in the church that enables him or her to understand its needs and its ways.  The deacon should be content to be behind the scenes, facilitating the public ministry of the bishop [or priest].  Care and attention to detail are paramount, along with an unflappability and an ability in administration.” P8

“Deacons need to develop leadership gifts, for they are indeed leaders, but gifts that reflect a willingness to be collaborative leaders.  These is an art in leadership that enables others to fulfil their own responsibilities without unsettling or unseating them.” P10.

Thoughts that were noted down whilst reading Rosalind’s book.

Her introduction is better than the rest of the book – it is a shame she did not allow more of her personality and option in the later chapters.  Understandable, but as the book is not written in an unbiased way she may as well have done so.

Is a deacon’s ministry a “rainbow” one?  One in which there is never a specific place and action as there is a continued shift from one aspect of ministry to another? Church – World – Community , you cannot say a deacon is part of any one of those three specifically as their ministry flows between them to greater and lesser extents. The boundaries between them are not distinct as the deacons dance all over the thresholds.

If clergy are not wearing things like dog-collars as an outward sign of their ministry how then can we be surprised if people outside of the church think that the church is in hiding and irrelevant? If people don’t see a policemen they think the area is ignored by the police, this is why the police know it is important to be a visible presence and “do the rounds”.  If people do not see ministers as minister rather than just a face in the crowd how do they know they are there at all.  In the world not of the world…