Terms of Transition: What is a Deacon?

Editor's note: As we continue forward in our journey of transition to new clergy, it seems like a good idea to make sure we're all speaking the same language. So, each week for the near future, we'll present a "term of transition": a word or phrase related to ordained ministry, and the process by which parishes go about identifying and calling their clergy leaders.

What is a Deacon?

Deacons have served pretty regularly at St. John's over the past 6-7 years: Kevin McGrane was with us for most of that time as a vocational deacon, and Nancy Emmel-Gunn has recently joined us as a transitional deacon. We all know they wear the collar, but how is a deacon different from a priest?

​The national Church's "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church" provides a lengthy definition of a deacon, both in its historical context, as well as its revived purpose over the last century. Deacons still serve in a capacity of "agents of the bishop," with traditional and liturgical tasks tied to "proclaim[ing] the gospel, lead[ing] intercessions, wait[ing} at the eucharistic table, and direct[ing] the order of the assembly." In their current incarnation, bishops often expect deacons to focus on service to the needy.

​A vocational deacon serves in that capacity for as long as she/he/they feel called to do so; a transitional deacon serves for a brief period (usually around six months) before being ordained a priest.

A deacon may not consecrate the elements for the Eucharist, nor may she/he/they pronounce absolution of sin, or the Trinitarian blessing.

A deacon (in the cross-body stole) waits at the eucharistic table. "Ritual" by jolynne_martinez is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Want to learn more about deacons? 

• The Diocese of Missouri's Community of Deacons page.
• The ordination service for a deacon.
• The Association for Episcopal Deacons