In The Episcopal Church, we have 3 ministries we ordain people to serve in: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
Deacons are called to "a special ministry of servanthood" by interpreting "to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world." Many deacons do so by having a specific ministerial need they focus on. This allows deacons to actively serve in a capacity they can then make their local congregation aware of the needs in which everyone in the church can assist.
The focus of diaconate ministry, then, is outside of the Church. However, deacons do serve a liturgical function as well. This helps to highlight the work they do in the world for the Church.
During the service, a deacon will or may:
- Read the Gospel- highlights the deacon's task to "assist bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel" to the world
- Lead Intercession with the Prayers of the People- highlights the deacon's ministry to bring the needs of the world to the church, in this case through prayer
- Bid the People in confessing their sins- highlights making "Christ and His redemptive love known", being an example in "word and example" and "life and teaching", and helping bring us back to serving Jesus Christ by loving our neighbor in the world
- Help set the Lord's Table for Communion- highlights the servant ministry of the diaconate
- Dismiss the People- highlights our going out to take care of the needs of the world which the deacon has brought to the attention of the church
The tasks of reading the Gospel and serving at the Table are specifically listed as "should"s for the deacon in worship. Leading the Prayers of the People is listed as a "may". The role of the deacon in bidding for the Confession and the Dismissal are listed in the rubrics of the service.
Again, the role of the deacon should not be seen as purely liturgical. In fact, the deacon's focus should be on making the needs of the world known to the Church through servant ministry. The liturgical function of a deacon is intended to highlight this ministry, reminding us of the needs of the world and of our need to proclaim the Gospel to others and repent in order to go out and be able to serve Christ Jesus as a servant to all once again.
If you worship at a parish blessed to have a deacon stationed there, pay close attention to what the deacon does, not just in the service, but out in the world as well. At Sunday worship, watch what the deacon does while keeping in mind each part of the deacon's role in the service is meant to remind you of the work that deacon does to make Jesus Christ known through the ministry of service in the world.
To learn more about the Diaconate, read the Examination in the Ordination of a Deacon and the Ministry Section of the Outline of Faith.