I discovered these lovely images online by Deaconess Judy Whaley, descriptors of diaconal ministry - serving at the table, tending the door, footwashing, telling the story, and bearing the light.
It got me thinking about other descriptors for diaconal ministry.
The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) describes Deacons as those who:
* hold up service as an inescapable response to the Gospel
* encourage all God's people in their service of God inside and outside the church
* are advocates for justice, sharing in the church's justice ministries; standing beside people who are disadvantaged or oppressed, encouraging others to work for justice and calling the church to costly action
* are carers who offer support and encouragement, standing beside those who suffer, and encouraging others to use their caring gifts
* are pioneers serving on the fringes in areas of life where social, economic and political changes are exposing new needs which are frequently remote from the experience of church-goers
* are educators whose special task is to educate the church on justice issues and community needs
* are enablers who encourage other people to recognize and use their gifts of service
* are called to be prophets prepared to challenge injustice and offer alternatives
* are bridge builders between the church and the community
What other descriptors of diaconal ministry are there amongst member associations in DIAKONIA?
It got me thinking about other descriptors for diaconal ministry.
The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) describes Deacons as those who:
* hold up service as an inescapable response to the Gospel
* encourage all God's people in their service of God inside and outside the church
* are advocates for justice, sharing in the church's justice ministries; standing beside people who are disadvantaged or oppressed, encouraging others to work for justice and calling the church to costly action
* are carers who offer support and encouragement, standing beside those who suffer, and encouraging others to use their caring gifts
* are pioneers serving on the fringes in areas of life where social, economic and political changes are exposing new needs which are frequently remote from the experience of church-goers
* are educators whose special task is to educate the church on justice issues and community needs
* are enablers who encourage other people to recognize and use their gifts of service
* are called to be prophets prepared to challenge injustice and offer alternatives
* are bridge builders between the church and the community
What other descriptors of diaconal ministry are there amongst member associations in DIAKONIA?
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