Being a Deacon Today: Exploring a Distinctive Ministry in the Church and in the World

Being a Deacon Today: Exploring a Distinctive Ministry in the house of worship and in the World. by means of 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 house of god while in the U.S. as a member of a religious community. although not a deacon herself, Brown has been at the forefront of research and writing upon that topic in England. She has brought attention and encouragement for the establishment of the diaconate as a permanent part of the meeting-house 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 scarcely any deacons in England, and active programs are not however in place, Being a Deacon Today views deacons historically and as played on the outside 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 meeting-house 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 house of god is charged with ministry that transgresses its boundaries, that paces across the threshold of the temple and breaks itself open in the world which the author of all things so loves" (p. 17). She then notes that a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of diaconal ministry is local, and goe largely unnoticed.

The next to the first part of the volume gazes at diaconal roles, but there are not many specific illustrations of how individual deacons have carried on the outside these roles. Again the discussion is from the historical perspective and draws on the writings of some actual well known authors. The chapter "The Deacon and the Liturgy" is a discussion of the importance of public worship and the nearness and role of the deacon. For example, the deacon's part in leading the prayers should bring the pertain tos of the world experienced through the deacon in to the active prayers of the house of god Well-stated prayers can and should make progress far beyond the generic and oftentimes stated petitions in the work of Common Prayer. This is a fine discussion which focuses les upon what we do than upon why we do it.

The sum of two units chapters that follow discuss deacons in pastoral care and in teaching. In the Episcopal house of god diaconal involvement in pastoral care is many times 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 upon the margins, especially with the poor, the isolated and the dying. Presbyters many times view this role as their be in possession of in the church, yet deacons may be the single ones to be present. Brown uses the boundary "catechist" rather than teacher to address the educational character of the deacon. Here the deacon can be the one in ministiy on the boundary, where the house of god often does not venture. Seldom will there be formal classes, on the contrary the opportunity for the deacon to be an ambassador of the temple a presence, can make a difference.

For those wishing a close attention of what deacons can be in ministry and wherefore Brown offers an excellent volume 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

Provided by means of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved