DOCSLIB.ORG

1 the OFFICE of DEACONS Teaching Outline I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1 the OFFICE of DEACONS Teaching Outline I THE OFFICE OF DEACONS Teaching Outline I. THE MEANING OF THE WORD1 A. Translation of the Diakon– Word Group. 1. The basic Greek term is diakonos, which means “servant.” a. Other forms, include diakonia, meaning “service”; and diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” b. Just as “service” in English can mean any varieties of service (e.g., to serve a term, to serve in the military, to serve as a waiter, to serve a tennis ball), the Greek term has a similar broad range of meanings. c. Generally, this word group refers to any kind of service that supplies the need of another person. d. This is a common word group in the New Testament used collectively over 100 times in the New Testament. e. Probably the term originally came for a waiter (John 2:5). But its usage was general and covered a wide range of service. 2. Other ways the word group is translated in the ESV. a. “Ministry” in 2 Corinthians 9:12.2 b. “Relief” in Acts 11:29 and 2 Corinthians 8:4. c. “Bringing aid” in Romans 15:25. d. “Distribution” in Acts 6:1. 3. In two places in the ESV version of the New Testament, the word group is transliterated as “deacon.” 1 This section adapted from The Master’s Plan for the Church, Appendix 2 by John MacArthur. 2 “Administration” in the NKJV 1 a. Philippians 1:1: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons (diakonos)” b. In 1 Timothy: i. 1 Timothy 3:10: “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons (diakoneo) if they prove themselves blameless.” ii. 1 Timothy 3:12: “Let deacons (diakonos) each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.” iii. 1 Timothy 3:13: “For those who serve well as deacons (diakoneo) gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” c. See discussion of these passages below. B. Various Kinds of Service in the New Testament. 1. Serving Food a. One who serves food was probably the original meaning of the term and the most limited of meanings. b. John 2:5, 9: “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you. .’ When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.” c. Luke 4:39: “And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.” d. Other texts: Luke 10:40; 17:8; John 12:2; and Acts 6:1. 2. General Service a. More broadly, the New Testament writers used the word group without specifying the particular kind of service. 2 b. In a passage where both general service and food service are implied, Luke 22:27: “For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” c. In a general sense of service that is required of a Christ-follower, John 12:26: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” d. The term can also be used of unbelievers, such as in Romans 13:3– 4: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” 3. Spiritual Service a. Most of the usages of the word group refer to a Christian’s spiritual service as a servant of Christ’s body, ministering to others as God directs. Accordingly, every Christian is to be engaged in spiritual service. b. Representative examples, include: i. Acts 20:18–19: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews” ii. Romans 15:25: “At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.” iii. 1 Corinthians 12:5: “There are varieties of service, but the same Lord;” iv. 2 Corinthians 4:1: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” v. 2 Corinthians 8:3–4: “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their 3 own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” vi. 2 Corinthians 9:1–2: “Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness. .” vii. Revelation 2:19: “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.” 4. Spiritual Gift of Service a. All are to serve, but some are uniquely gifted for it. One of the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to the body of Christ is the spiritual gift of service. b. All members in the body of Christ have a spiritual gift. Ephesians 4:7: “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” c. Though all members have a spiritual gift, the members do not all have the same spiritual gift. Romans 12:4–5: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” d. Members serve according to their unique gifting, energized by the Holy Spirit. Some have a specific gifting for service. Romans 12:6–7: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. if service, in our serving. .” 5. The Office of Deacon (see infra) II. EXAMPLES OF DEACONS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT A. There are no definitively named deacons in the New Testament. 1. Paul was not a deacon. Paul identified himself as an apostle (Rom. 11:13; 2 Cor. 10–12), but never a deacon. His apostleship superseded all leadership in the local church, including elders and deacons. He used the word diakonia several times in relation to his ministry (Acts 20:24; Rom. 4 11:13), but he used this term in the general sense of spiritual service to Christ and not in the sense of an office. 2. Timothy was not a deacon. Though he is called “a good servant (diakonos)” in 1 Timothy 4:6, he was specifically called to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5). 3. Tychicus is not named a deacon. Though he is called “the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (Eph. 6:21), nothing in the text suggests that his service as a minister was in the office of deacon. The other two instances of the diakon– word group used in Ephesians (3:7; 4:12) refer to the general kind of spiritual service not an office. This is significant because had Paul wanted to recognize the office of deacon, he could have easily done so in Ephesians 4:11–12 along with the other offices. 4. Epaphras is not named a deacon. Though he is called “our beloved fellow servant” (Col. 1:7), nothing in the text suggests that his service was anything more than spiritual service. 5. Phoebe may have been a woman deacon, though one cannot be dogmatic. She is called “a servant (diakonos) of the church of Cenchreae” (Rom. 16:1), but this service could be taken in the general sense of spiritual service. Also, when Paul wrote Romans, the office of deacon might not have been established yet. On the other hand, she was evidentially prominent and her service quite helpful, which could indicate she held the office. B. Were those mentioned in Philippians 1:1 deacons? 1. This verse is the only instance outside of 1 Timothy 3 that the ESV translates diakonos as deacon. Here, Paul addresses the letter to “the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” 2. “Overseers” (episkopos) is a term Paul uses elsewhere to refer to the office of elders (e.g., Acts 20:28, 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7). Likely, then, he is using the term in the same way here. If so, then translating diakonos as “deacon” is probably correct. He would be addressing both offices specifically in his letter. This fits Paul’s pattern of addressing elders then deacons in the qualifications section of 1 Timothy 3. 3. Alternatively, since Paul used episkopos rather than the normally used term for elders, presbuteros, he may be more generally addressing the 5 letter to the saints, the leadership, and those who serve in the church. Note that Paul does not specifically address the overseers and deacons again in the letter.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Job Description- Duties of the Deaconess
    Central Seventh-day Adventist Church Job Description- Duties of the Deaconess As Jesus gives insight into the nature of His Church using the symbol of the body in 1 Corinthians 12, so it is that when we join the Church we become "members" of the body of Christ and are equipped for specific functions by the Holy Spirit. God wills that the various "body parts" (members) function effectively toward the common goal of the Church; making disciples of Jesus Christ. It is an erroneous concept that the clergy have a "sacred calling" and the general membership only a "secular calling." This concept impedes the progress of the church by leading some to believe their contributions are less important. In fact, the New Testament teaches that all members of the body of Christ are ministers of Jesus Christ. There are necessary differences in function, but the status of all leaders is the same. You have been asked to serve as a deaconess in the church. The God who calls is able to sustain you as you cooperate with Him. Duties of the Deaconess The ministry to which a person is called when she becomes a deaconess includes the following duties: 1) Report to Head Deaconess. Deaconess will assist in maintaining the smooth operation of church meetings. Any needs and/or concerns should be reported to the Head Deaconess as soon as possible so that they could be addressed in an adequate manner. A quarterly meeting is to be scheduled by the Head Deaconess to address various issues and provide training. 2) Head Deaconess will coordinate fellowship meals.
    [Show full text]
  • The Tradition of the Female Deacon in the Eastern Churches
    The Tradition of the Female Deacon in the Eastern Churches Valerie Karras, Th.D., Ph.D. and Caren Stayer, Ph.D. St. Phoebe Center Conference on “Women and Diaconal Ministry in the Orthodox Church: Past, Present, and Future” Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY December 6, 2014 PURPOSE OF HISTORY SESSION • To briefly review the scholarship on the history of the deaconess, both East and West • To lay the groundwork for discussions later in the day about the present and future • To familiarize everyone with material you can take with you • Book list; book sales • We ask you to share and discuss this historical material with others in your parish TIMELINE—REJUVENATION FROM PATRISTIC PERIOD (4TH -7TH C.) • Apostolic period (AD 60-80): Letters of Paul (Rom 16:1 re Phoebe) • Subapostolic period (late 1st/early 2nd c.): deutero-Pauline epistles (I Tim. 3), letter of Trajan to Pliny the Younger • Byzantine period (330-1453) − comparable to Early, High, and Late Middle Ages plus early Renaissance in Western Europe • Early church manuals (Didascalia Apostolorum, late 3rd/early 4th c.; Testamentum Domini, c.350; Apostolic Constitutions, c.370, Syriac) • 325-787: Seven Ecumenical Councils • Saints’ lives, church calendars, typika (monastic rules), homilies, grave inscriptions, letters • 988: conversion of Vladimir and the Rus’ • 12th c. or earlier: office of deaconess in Byz. church fell into disuse • Early modern period in America • 1768: first group of Greek Orthodox arrives in what is now Florida • 1794: first formal Russian Orthodox mission arrives in what is now Alaska BYZANTINE EMPIRE AND FIVE PATRIARCHATES CIRCA 565 A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • “What Is a Deaconess?” for the Church to Attend to the Various Needs of Its Peo- Ple
    VolumePage 6 12, Is LTSPage News 6 “What is a Deaconess?” for the church to attend to the various needs of its peo- ple. The apostles did not say, “we must concern ourselves with preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, so don’t bother us with com- plaints about physical hun- ger.” Instead, they said that both preaching the Good News and caring for the physical needs of the congre- gation were important, so they appointed deacons to see to the works of mercy. In Romans 16:1-2 Paul calls Phoebe a deaconess, or serv- ant, at the church in Cench- rea. Scholars believe Phoebe assisted Paul by delivering ess is a servant. This speech was given by his letter to the Christians in Deaconess Rome. The service of deacon- Deaconess Rockrohr at Open Let us read from Acts 6. Rockrohr teaches esses continued to be noted Day on 1 September. “Now in these days when the deaconess courses throughout the Church’s his- disciples were increasing in in classroom of the I greet you all on the name of tory. number, a complaint by the Jesus Christ. May the Lord the recently Hellenists arose against the bless our time together so At this point we must make a acquired Hokaai I Hebrews because their wid- that we may be enriched and careful distinction. Some building ows were being neglected in refreshed, strengthened for churches today also have the daily distribution. And service to Him. deacons, and in some the twelve summoned the full churches the deacon is also Many people ask the ques- number of the disciples and trained and called to preach, tion, “What is a deaconess?” said, “It is not right that we lead public worship, and per- so we will begin at that point.
    [Show full text]
  • Doctrine of Deaconess 1. a "Deaconess" Refers to a Female
    1 Doctrine of Deaconess 1. A "deaconess" refers to a female believer serving in the office of deacon in a church. 2. The only New Testament reference to deaconess as a church office is Paul's description of Phoebe as a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea. Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 3. The Greek word translated as deaconess in this passage is rendered as deacon and servant by other versions of the Bible. The office of deaconess was similar to the office of deacon. Their spiritual responsibility was essentially the same, except those deaconesses probably rendered a ministry exclusively to women, particularly in the early years of the church. 4. The office of deaconess became a regular feature of church organization as early as the first part of the second century. In A. D. 112, Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia, wrote a letter to the emperor Trajan of Rome, indicating that in his investigation of Christians he had tortured two Christian maidens who were called deaconesses. 5. The office of deaconess in the Eastern Church continued down to the 12th century. The widows of clergymen, who were not permitted to remarry, often served as deaconesses. Some scholars believe that Paul's standards for widows in 1 Timothy 5:9-12 were applied to these deaconesses. 1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Deaconess Spirit
    JUSTICE T he D eaconess The S FAITHFULNESS pirit Deaconess HOPE Spirit 125 Years in Mission SERVICE IDENTITY The Deaconess Spirit 125 Years in Mission Copyright © 2014 Deaconess Foundation Photo Credits Contents All rights reserved Mike Bizelli: ix, 44, 82, 85, 101 Deaconess Foundation Deaconess Archives: ii, iv-viii, 4-5, 12-13, 22-25, 31, 36, 211 N. Broadway 38-39, 41, 52-53, 58-71, 75-76, 94-95, 97-98 v Introduction: 30 Deaconess In Transition St. Louis, MO 63102 Eden Seminary: 43, 74 The Deaconess Spirit www.deaconess.org Identity Southside Early Childhood Center: x, 16, 35, 81, 86, 90, 92 Justice Published in cooperation with Wiley Price: 7, 40, 50-51, 56 40 Heritage—Planted in the Church 4 Heritage—Responding to Need with Justice 42 Spirit—Serving with the United Church of Christ Reedy Press Christian Gooden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 27 PO Box 5131 6 Spirit—Pursuing Justice in Foster Care 44 Vision—Collaborating to Expand Impact St. Louis, MO 63139 Mark Regester: 2-3, 27, 28, 50-51, 55 8 Vision—Advocating for Equity www.reedypress.com Spoonful of Sugar Photography: 8 46 Deaconess Impact Partnership Library of Congress Control Number: 2014935540 Hope Text Credits 12 Heritage—Helping Hands Faithfulness ISBN: 978-1-935806-00-4 Amanda Cook: 5, 13, 14, 17, 25, 41, 45, 53-54 14 Spirit—Partnering with Parents 52 Heritage—Creating Sacred Space Jane Donahue: 9, 26, 29, 46-49, 72 16 Vision—Lifting the Voices of Children 54 Spirit—Building a Greater World No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic Elizabeth George: 6, 46-49 56 Vision—Caring for Future Generations or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or Jerry W.
    [Show full text]
  • LCMS Deaconess Ministry Information
    “…that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” — 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 ESV — Strong Faith, Fervent Love: Resources Advancing Deaconess Service in the Church and Services The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Deaconess Ministry encourages and supports deaconess formation and mercy work nationally Support for the LCMS deaconess training programs and internationally. Deaconesses are Lutheran women who are theolog- ically trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of mercy, Liaison to the Concordia spiritual care and teaching the Christian faith. They serve domestically Deaconess Conference and internationally — in congregations and institutions that exist to care for others — laboring in the Lord’s harvest fields and using their gifts Assistance and advice to LCMS to bless and serve others and to reach out to them with the partner churches seeking to healing balm of Christ’s saving Gospel. establish the deaconess office Coordination of deaconess DEACONESS GRACE RAO, director, training with partner churches LCMS Deaconess Ministry 888-THE LCMS • [email protected] lcms.org/deaconess • cuc.edu, ctsfw.edu or csl.edu Mercy Care for All by Laura J. Seaman hen Sandra Rhein forfeited tions and ministries. They bear witness Following the example of Peter’s moth- her plans to pursue a master’s and mercy to the young, the aged, prison- er-in-law, who rose to serve immediately W degree in church music to enter ers, women, new mothers, families, the after Jesus had healed her (Matt. 8:15), the deaconess program, she had no idea sick and many others.
    [Show full text]
  • Nominations – Bio Forms and Information Elections – Board of Directors Non-Deaconess Position
    Nominations – Bio Forms and Information Elections – Board of Directors Non-deaconess position 5.1 The Board of Directors shall be elected by the Deaconess Assembly, and shall consist of five deaconesses and four other persons from the membership of the ELCA or the ELCIC. A majority of the directors shall be members of the ELCA. Biographical information, including the gifts and skills each prospective director offers to the board, shall be given to the Assembly so that the Assembly may make an informed vote. The nomination slate presented by the Nominating Committee may consist of two candidates for each deaconess position and a single candidate for each non- deaconess position. The Presiding Bishops of the ELCA and ELCIC, or the bishop’s designee and the Leadership Team shall have seat and voice on the Board of Directors. Bylaws – approved 8.2020 The Nominating Committee will present the following slate for two open non-deaconess positions on the Board of Directors. Voting members will elect two. The Rev. Patricia Davenport The Rev. Patrick Shebeck Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport: The Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport assumed office as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on August 1, 2018. Overwhelmingly elected by the Synod Assembly on May 5, 2018, she is the first African American woman to be elected a bishop in the 3.8- million-member ELCA. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops “Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is already a great Synod, and our mantra is we can do more together than we can alone,” Bishop Davenport says.
    [Show full text]
  • What Can We Say About Phoebe? J
    What Can We Say about Phoebe? J. David Miller The conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome includes The masculine form prostates and its Latin equivalent patronus his most extensive catalog of coworkers. In addition to Paul him- regularly receive the translation “patron,” and we should wonder self, the chapter mentions thirty-seven specific individuals, ten of why translators and commentators have been reluctant to recog- them women. At the head of this list stands Phoebe: nize this sense in the feminine form. James Dunn, for example, has expressed concern: “The unwillingness of commentators to I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church give prostatis its most natural and obvious sense of ‘patron’ is at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is most striking.”4 fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require Indeed, literary and archaeological evidence offers glimpses of from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself the f work o women patrons.5 Consider Phile of Priene in south- as well. (Rom 16:1–2 NRSV) west Asia Minor, who in the first century BC “constructed at her No other page of the Bible mentions Phoebe, leaving us little to own expense the reservoir for water and the city aqueduct.”6 n I the early second century AD, Plancia Magna was benefactress of the go on. What, then, can we say about Phoebe? immense and ornate gates of Perge, the leading city of Pamphy- We f know, o course, her name, which means “bright,” “radi- lia.7 t A the close of the third century AD, Aurelia Leite provided ant,”r o “pure.”1 Though the name Phoebe occurs only here in for the restoration of a gymnasium on the Aegean island of Paros.8 the New Testament, it was not uncommon in the Greco-Roman The f case o Junia Theodora is particularly relevant, for she lived in world.e W also know she was from Cenchreae, situated approxi- mid-first-century Corinth—the same era and area as Phoebe.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Valley Church Governance Document for Deacon And
    Valley Church Governance Document for Deacon and Deaconess Approved by board on July 18, 2017 In Acts 6, the Bible speaks to the establishing the office of Deacons to relieve the elders in the performance of part of their duties, that of serving the individual needs of the members of the church body, so that they can prioritize their time to teach the Word of God and devote themselves to prayer. Deacons meet practical needs and operate under the authority of the elder board in accomplishment of the overall mission and vision of the church. I. Definition of Deacons The Greek word for Deacon is diakonos. It is used in the New Testament to describe literal servants. (John 2:5,9; Matthew 22:13). However, diakonos is most often used in a figurative sense to refer to servants of God. (Romans 15:8; Romans 16:1; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 1:7). Both the noun diakonia and the verb diakoneo are used in the New Testament in the narrower, specific sense of practical service rendered to those who are suffering and in need. (Acts 11:29; Acts 12:25; Romans 15:31; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 6:1; Matt 25:44; Romans 15:25,26. Paul also uses the term as a fixed title, like “overseer” for a distinct body of officials. (Phil 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13.) In the book of Acts, Luke uses the word diakonia to describe the duty or form of service assigned to the "seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom", called to serve at the tables of daily distribution to the widows.
    [Show full text]
  • Deacon and Deaconess
    Start or revitalize a ministry in your church Deacon and Deaconess QUICK START GUIDE This Quick Start Guide for the Deacon and Deaconess is full of important information to help you fulfill your responsibilities to your church. This guide contains a job description, instructions for getting started, tips for maintaining a successful ministry, troubleshooting suggestions, recommended resources, and more. Whether you’re new to this ministry or an experienced volunteer, this Quick Start Guide will inspire you with lots of great ideas you can immediately put to use in your local church. Other titles in the Quick Start Guide series: DEACON AND DEACONESS • Elder • Greeter • Interest Coordinator For a complete list of Quick Start Guide titles visitAdventSource.org Seventh-day Adventist® Church Quick Start Guide for the Deacon and Deaconess Available from: AdventSource 5120 Prescott Avenue Lincoln, NE 68506 402.486.8800 AdventSource.org Designer: Liv Jacobson © 2019 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, photocopied, recorded, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder unless noted. Printed in the United States of America ISBN # 978-1-62909-387-1 Introduction Being chosen for the position of deacon or deaconess is an indication of your church’s confidence in your character and abilities. The role of a deacon and deaconess covers a wide range of activities and involves important and sometimes challenging responsibilities. Traditionally, men have performed the duties of deacons and women have performed the duties of deaconesses.
    [Show full text]
  • Deacon, There a Deacon, Everywhere a Deacon, Deacon a Brief Sampling of Current Uses of the Role/Title “Deacon” in the ELCA and Beyond
    Here a Deacon, There a Deacon, Everywhere a Deacon, Deacon A Brief Sampling of Current Uses of the Role/Title “Deacon” in the ELCA and Beyond By Bishop Bill Gafkjen on behalf of the Transition & Communication Sub-Group + July 2014 This document was prepared for internal use in support of the work of the ELCA Word and Service Ministry Task Force. Three intentions shape its content: (1) to briefly explore current uses of the term "deacon" in ELCA contexts, (2) to similarly explore current uses of the term in ecumenical, especially full communion partner, contexts, and (3) to provide a descriptive paragraph that highlights the distinctive characteristics of rostered deacons of the ELCA in reference to those uses and contexts. A cursory exploration of synodical documents and congregational websites accompanied by conversation with a variety of folks across the church suggests that the word, title and role of deacon is alive and well in the life of the church, albeit in a wide variety of expressions and tasks. The forms and levels of training and formation, as well as public or ecclesial recognition of this ministry, also vary greatly, from local/congregational to synodical, from informal recognition to a freestanding graduation ceremony, from volunteer service to churchwide rostering. The rites of initiation also vary. What follows is a small, simple sampling, not an exhaustive list, either in breadth or depth. ELCA local, synod and churchwide ELCA deaconess. As a consecrated roster of the ELCA, “the Deaconess Community consists of theologically trained, professionally prepared women, called to ministry and service by congregations and synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.” Theological training of ELCA deaconesses typically includes a Masters of Arts in Religion or similar degree.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Deaconess School to Intermountain
    Montana Deaconess School to Intermountain In 2009, Intermountain Patty Williams posed for her eighth-grade graduation picture in 1932 wearing a celebrates its one- lovely dress, grown-up stockings, and new shoes. Even as she did so, Patty harbored hundredth anniversary mixed feelings about the event, for it meant that she would be saying good-bye to the of caring for children. Founded in 1909 as the school that had been her home since she was eight years old. Her mother had died Montana Deaconess when she was very young, and when she was in the second or perhaps the third grade, School by the Reverend her father put her on the train at the Great Falls station, bound for Helena and the William Wesley Van Orsdel and Methodist women, the Montana Deaconess School. Her only companion was her doll. school has guided genera- tions of children to better lives. Here the school’s harmonica band, including Patty Williams (third row, second from left), poses with volunteer A. I. “Daddy” Reeves (left) and school principal Helen C. Piper (right) in 1929. L. H. Jorud, photographer, Intermountain, Helena A Centennial of Restoring Hope for Children, by Ellen Baumler 1909–2009 23 23-41Spr09.indd 23 3/12/2009 9:58:37 AM MHS Reverend Van Orsdel, better known as Brother Van, Pho tog rap arrived in Montana in 1872 and became a mis- h A rc hiv sionary in the territory. He is pictured on the es , H left with fellow Methodist ministers Rev- el en a , erend Thomas C. Iliff, center, and Rev- P A c erend Francis A.
    [Show full text]