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Responsibility as a Deacon

Introduction

  • Deaconship is a RESPONSIBILITY
    • We typically take being a deacon for granted
    • We might treat it like a costume that we wear on Sunday morning, or a privilege to do certain things (e.g. enter the Sanctuary, say certain responses, stand in a chorus, etc.)
    • We might think it's "a blessing on Sunday"
    • It is certainly a privilege and a blessing... but more than that, it is a RESPONSIBILITY
  • The idea of a deacon is present in the Scripture in the New Testament, but it is also in the Old Testament with the concept of the Levites. The Levites played the role that we would now call "Deacon"
  • The word Deacon means "Servant" in Greek
  • We will examine the Responsibilities of the Deacon from three angles
    • The Responsibilities and Duties defined in Scripture
    • The Responsibilities and Duties assigned to you at your ordination
    • The Responsibilities and Duties in the history of the Church as recorded in the Canons

Activity

  • Split into three groups
  • One will examine the Scripture, one will examine the rites of ordination, the third will examine the Canons
  • Each group needs to arrive at a list of responsibilities that are entrusted to us as deacons

Scripture

  • Sources (Coptic Reader/Bible)
    • Acts 6:1-7
    • 1 Timothy 3:8-13
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Rites of Ordination

  • Sources (Coptic Reader)
    • Special --> Consecrations --> Ordinations --> Chanter
    • Special --> Consecrations --> Ordinations --> Reader
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Church Canons

  • Sources (To be printed)
    • Canon 2:49
      • "If any bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, or reader, or singer, does not fast the fast of forty days, or the fourth day of the week, and the day of Preparation, let him be deprived, except he be hindered by weakness of body. But if he be one of the laity, let him be suspended."
    • Canon 2:16
      • "Let a bishop, or presbyter, or deacon who is found guilty of fornication, or perjury, or stealing, be deprived, but not suspended; for the Scripture says: 'He will make an end, no adversary shall rise up twice.' (Nahum 1:9)
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