ReDi

In February, a few officers of the DWF Executive Committee, met with some Board members of ReDi (International Society for the Research and Study of Diakonia and Christian Social Practice). 

We explored the possibility of DWF and ReDi becoming partners in the work of encouraging diakonia in the church and the world. The meeting was most congenial and positive.  We introduced ourselves to one another and discussed the differences in the two organizations.  ReDi focuses on diakonia more as Christian Social Practice from an academic, scholarly perspective.  DWF represents communities and associations in which individual members are designated in some way (e.g. consecrated, ordained, commissioned) for the diaconate (e.g. deacons, deaconesses, diaconal ministers).  The common ground is the commitment to transformative service in the church and the world.   

We all felt that strengthening our relationship would be of mutual benefit.  We have not made any firm commitments but agreed to a path toward mutual cooperation and promotion of each other’s programming and services.  As examples, ReDi will publicize the DOTAC Mondays in May Seminar Series in their newsletter; DWF will invite our communities/association to submit articles for ReDi’s journal Diaconia. Journal for the Study of Christian Social Practice.  Check it out; it’s Open Access.https://www.diaconiaresearch.org/diaconia-journal/