Deacons Celebrate 20th Anniversary
2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the United Methodist clergy deacon in full membership.Ordained deacons
A deacon has the authority to teach and proclaim God's Word, to lead in worship, to assist elders in the administration of the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, to perform marriage ceremonies, and to bury the dead.The deacon experiences a call to diaconia, the service that Jesus modeled when he fed the five thousand, welcomed the children, taught the Scriptures, healed the sick, or released those who were captive to oppressions of one kind or another.
In the North Georgia Conference we have deacons serving in appointments both in the church and in extension ministries as they live out their call. Deacons serve in local churches, as chaplains, in hospital settings, at universities, as missionaries, as United Methodist agency employees, in the conference office and beyond.
The beginning of the Order of Deacons wasn't always easy. As Rev. Walter Jones states, "After 'living into' the role for twenty years the form of ministry continues to evolve which is a great blessing but the functions of ministry continue to be confusing to the laity and some clergy in the local church. Still, we just focus on serving Christ and doing our ministry. Seems like twenty years is a magic number doesn’t it? Some of us are called to be trail blazers! Thanks to the Order of Deacons, we are a supportive and loving group. Congratulations to all who answer the call and live into the joy of serving Christ for the next twenty years and beyond."
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