Being a Deacon Today: Exploring a Distinctive Ministry in the ecclesiastical body and in the World.Being a Deacon Today: Exploring a Distinctive Ministry in the ecclesiastical body and in the World. according to Rosalind Brown. Harrisburg, Pa.: Morehouse Publishing, 2005 xv + 139 pp $1995 (paper). Rosalind Brown is a priest in the house of worship of England, ordained in the Episcopal temple while in the U.S. as a member of a religious community. however not a deacon herself, Brown has been at the forefront of research and writing forward that topic in England. She has brought attention and encouragement for the establishment of the diaconate as a permanent part of the temple of England structure. She was the chair and lead writer of The Distinctive Diaconate, a report to the Diocese of Salisbury, perhaps the best rationale and recommendation for a diaconal program in any diocese. Because there are small in number deacons in England, and active programs are not still in place, Being a Deacon Today views deacons historically and as played abroad in other countries, especially the United States. Brown provides extensive theological underpinnings and sources for the value and place of the ministry of deacons in today's temple Indeed, these are the powers of the book and make it worthwhile reading for those seeking the broad view of what deacons are all about. Her view is summarized tersely "The deacon, whose ministry is in the ecclesiastical authority is charged with ministry that transgresses its boundaries, that gradations across the threshold of the house of god and breaks itself open in the world which the most high so loves" (p. 17). She then notes that frequently diaconal ministry is local, and goe largely unnoticed. The other part of the volume awaits at diaconal roles, but there are not many specific illustrations of how individual deacons have carried gone out these roles. Again the discussion is from the historical perspective and draws about the writings of some to a high degree well known authors. The chapter "The Deacon and the Liturgy" is a discussion of the importance of public worship and the mien and role of the deacon. For example, the deacon's character in leading the prayers should bring the businesss of the world experienced on the deacon in to the active prayers of the meeting-house Well-stated prayers can and should travel far beyond the generic and many times stated petitions in the main division of Common Prayer. This is a fine discussion which focuses les forward what we do than forward why we do it. The brace chapters that follow discuss deacons in pastoral care and in teaching. In the Episcopal body of christians diaconal involvement in pastoral care is frequently downplayed and underrated. Brown argues that deacons should be compassionate wherever they are, and be prepared to allow their compassion to lead them into places in succession the margins, especially with the poor, the companionless and the dying. Presbyters frequently view this role as their avow in the church, yet deacons may be the sole ones to be present. Brown uses the boundary "catechist" rather than teacher to address the educational part of the deacon. Here the deacon can be the [i]role[/i] in ministiy on the boundary, where the ecclesiastical authority often does not venture. Seldom will there be formal classes, if it be not that the opportunity for the deacon to be an ambassador of the body of christians a presence, can make a difference. For those wishing a studious mood of what deacons can be in ministry and on what account Brown offers an excellent main division Do not look for practical advice and descriptions in this volume EDWIN F HALLENBECK North American Association for the Diaconate Providence, Rhode Island Copyright Anglican Theological Review, Inc. Winter 2006 |
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