Form and Manner of Ordaining Deacons

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you safe and well this week after Trinity Sunday! Last week we finished up the Pastoral Rites section which goes through many of the special services in the life of the church that are primarily, though not exclusively, officiated by a priest or deacon, such as Holy Matrimony and anointing the sick. In the 2019 BCP the Pastoral Rites are followed by the Psalter, and this week we’ll begin a look at the section that follows that, the Ordinal. Ordinal is the term used for service books that cover events celebrated by bishops alone, especially ordinations, so we’ll begin by looking at the Form and Manner of Ordaining Deacons (p. 472.) Right off the bat, the service begins with the opening acclamation found in confirmations. Ordination is clearly understood as an extension of baptism and confirmation.

The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, People     And your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Bishop    Your old men shall dream dreams, People     And your young men shall see visions. Bishop    You shall know that the Lord is in the midst of his people, People     That he is the Lord and there is none else. Bishop    And it shall come to pass People That everyone who calls on                  the Name of the Lord shall be saved. (Joel 2:27-28, 32; Acts 2:17, 21)

The Bishop and People sit. The Presenters, standing before the Bishop, present each Ordinand, saying Reverend Father in God, we present N.N. to be admitted to the Order of Deacons. Bishop             Have these persons been selected in accordance with the                           Canons of this Church? And do you believe their manner                           of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry? Presenters       We certify to you that they have satisfied the                           requirements of the Canons, and we believe them to be                           qualified for this order.

The one thing this should drive home to everyone at the service, the bishop, clergy, the ordinand, and the laity, is that this isn’t simply about the person being ordained. A lot of work and preparation goes into the ordination process. Those becoming deacons often go to seminary, take classes in theology, minister under the supervision of their local priest, and this is a time where many could think the ordination is something that’s been earned, or the person is entitled to it, or merits it, but that’s not true. There are also multiple steps in the process where interviews are done and documentation is submitted, but the ordination isn’t just a final stamp of approval after an administrative process either. Ordination is about one person coming from the congregation, the body of Christ, and being set apart to focus on ministry in a distinct way. We may organize it through procedures and have coursework to better prepare them for ministry, but ultimately this is about God setting apart someone, the church recognizing that, and God strengthening them for ministry.   The person can only get to this point with their fellow Christians responding to their call and the work of the Holy Spirit, and it’s at this point where we see presenters on behalf of the congregation bring the person forward and the Holy Spirit called upon to effect a change in this person. It’s not about the person at all, it’s about God and the wonderful things he’s doing in the body of Christ, through his Holy Spirit.   I pray you all have a blessed Sunday!