Servant Leadership. For many, this phrase might seem a contradiction in terms. In the secular world, servants follow orders and leaders determine direction. But in the diaconal world, servant leadership is both an ethos and a practical approach to ministry.
Vocational deacons draw a special meaning from the adage, “Give people fish and you feed them for a day; teach them to fish and feed them for life.” It is the word life that is key here, referencing the Gospel meaning of true living as described by Jesus. Vocational deacons stand to represent Christ as servant, and are ordained to be the bridge between the secular world and the Church. It is their role to draw others like a beacon towards the Gospel meaning of life and towards the sacraments by modeling the ways of Christ through acts of loving and humble service and by patterning their ministries and their lives on his leadership style.
Jesus knew that the days of his earthly ministry would be limited, and so he set about teaching the disciples a different orientation towards power and authority, towards societal norms and values, towards love, and towards the relationship between humankind and God. His leadership plan was to nurture and shape the skills and understandings of those who followed him so that the work of building up God’s kingdom on earth would continue after his death. Christ took every opportunity to teach, to demonstrate, and to encourage others through acts of service grounded in compassion and love, always leading by example. His goal was to create and equip leaders from within his company of followers so that the work would continue across the millennia. Ultimately, the power of his leadership lay in his desire to be perceived first as a servant. In more recent times, this focus on servanthood was echoed by King Charles III in his coronation service: “In His (Christ’s) name and after His example, I come not to be served, but to serve.” On this same occasion, the Archbishop of Canterbury defined service as “love in action”.
Servant leadership is distinguished by its primary focus on serving first and on leading second. The credibility of servant leaders stems from their abilities to be seen as trustworthy servants through consistent acts of loving support, advocacy, and charity. Their leadership is effectively a by-product of their service that is grounded in humility. So it is with vocational deacons. Rather than being affirmed by a salary from the diocese, the dignity of diaconal service is affirmed in the Gospels and echoed in the Sermon on the Mount. Vocational deacons are those who have answered the call of God to be guided by the Holy Spirit in empowering others and in building relationships, with a particular care and concern for the disadvantaged and the marginalized. Vocational deacons are to hunger and thirst for righteousness, foster mercy, and seek and promote peace while they serve the needs of their communities. In doing so, vocational deacons become the hands and feet of Christ in the world. It is through the building up of the body of Christ that diaconal success is defined, one person at a time.
While vocational deacons have a part to play in the liturgy, it should be remembered that this role symbolizes the loving works of service that take place the other six days of the week. Participation in the liturgy does not define the diaconal role in and of itself. Carrying the Gospel during the processional hymn, proclaiming the Gospel, engaging others in prayer, and dismissing the congregation as they prepare to enter back into the world are reminders of the servant leadership role that vocational deacons have been called to fulfill. The stole of the deacon, draped from the left shoulder over the heart to the right side, was symbolically designed to leave the hands free for service and underscores the servant leadership role.
God’s plan, as revealed through Scripture, and Christ’s example reassure us that there is no contradiction in the phrase servant leadership. The presence and work of vocational deacons on behalf of the Church is evidence that the Holy Spirit continues to move across the landscape of our troubled world, bringing hope and practical support to those in need. Perhaps, as you have read this article, you will feel stirred learn more about this order or to further investigate servant leadership for your own life and work. Amen.
The Reverend Dr. Joanne Neal,
Vocational Deacon with Anglican Churches of Pictou County & Professor of Pastoral Leadership with the Graduate Theological Foundation
