The Diaconate in the Diocese of New Jersey: Discernment Kit: Foundational Concepts

Who is the Deacon in our midst? How do we find and call that person? Here are some core assumptions:

Baptismal Ecclesiology

• All baptized persons are called to ministry in the church and in the world.Specific orders of ministry exist to provide distinctive focus, vision, and leadership for all people in their various ministries; none is "better" or "superior / inferior".
• There are elements of episcopal, presbyteral, and diaconal charism for ministry present in everyone. Some are especially called to embody one of them to help lead and catalyze the full ministry of all.

The Diaconate is a Full and Equal Order of Ministry

• Deacons are an ancient, scripturally founded order in the church. Deacons are not secondary, dependent, or incomplete.
• Deacons are professionals: called, trained, formed, and ordained to a distinctive ministry in the church and the world.

Mission Statement of the North American Association for the Diaconate
NAAD is an association of persons and dioceses within the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada whose mission is to increase participation and involvement of all baptized persons in Christ's diaconal ministry, especially by promoting and supporting the diaconate as a full and equal order.

Mission Statement for the Diaconate in the Diocese of New Jersey
The mission of the deacon, as herald of the kingdom of God, is to:

• LEAD in reaching out to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.
• LEAD in bringing the world's needs into the Church and the Servant Church into the world.
  
• ASSIST the bishop and priests in public worship and the administration of God's Word and Sacrament.