An Archdeacon in Your Midst

Many of you have heard my story. Recently, I was appointed by our Bishop, Greg Rickel, to be the Archdeacon of the Diocese of Olympia. Wow, you say!  What is an Archdeacon? Will we see you here at St. Benedict’s (St. John’s) anymore? What does an Archdeacon do? Before I answer these questions let me share with you a little of the history concerning archdeacons.

A Historical Note

The roots of the office of archdeacon go deep in the history of the church. In the first three centuries there were deacons designated as the diaconus episcopol, by which was meant the one deacon in the college of deacons chosen to serve as the bishop’s personal deacon. This deacon was entrusted with the care of the poor, functioned as a procurator for the church and supervised the ministry of the other deacons. In the fourth and fifth centuries the name of the office became standardized as archdeacon, although other names like “the leader of deacons” were also used. 

The practice of archdeacons did not develop further in the Eastern Church and deacon archdeacons still serve as part of the hierarchy of dioceses in the Orthodox Churches. In the West the administrative authority of the archdeacons increased, the office was transferred to presbyters who were most often also canons of cathedrals or other highly placed priests in the administration of dioceses.

Archdeacons were the administrative assistants to the bishop.

In the history of this Diocese the archdeacons have always been a priest. The appointment of a deacon as an archdeacon is a change from that and is a sign of the restoration of the office to its original character as the leader of the deacons in the diocese.

The Role of an Archdeacon

Since this is a new role for the deacon its definition and responsibilities continue to unfold.

Last year in April a small group of deacons met with Bishop Greg to discuss the possibility of an Archdeacon for this diocese. Richard Buhrer, a deacon, was appointed an interim convener of the deacons. Richard and a steering committee of 4 other deacons developed a document, “The Shape for the Diaconate in the Diocese of Olympia – A Proposal”. This document was presented in January 2009 to Bishop Greg and the community of deacons. The outcome was the appointment of an Archdeacon.

Currently, the role of the Archdeacon has four clearly defined responsibilities which are defined by our Canons. Title III, Chapter 7, Section 2 states, “The Bishop may appoint one or more of deacons as Archdeacon(s) to assist the Bishop in the formation, deployment, supervision, and support of the deacons or those in preparation to be deacons, and in the implementation of this Canon.”

1. She/he will be the convener of the community of deacons. Gathering deacons on a regular basis to grow together as community, share ministries, and to help develop a clear understanding of the deacon’s role in the church and the world.
2. She/he will definitely NOT be a gate-keeper, a required intermediary level that deacons must use in order to have access to the Bishop. Every deacon retains the right and the ability to request assistance directly from the Bishop and to negotiate time with him to address their needs. Rather than a gate-keeper, the Archdeacon can act as a gate-OPENER, an advocate and representative to the Bishop on behalf of the deacons of the diocese, assisting the bishop in prioritizing the needs/concerns of individual deacons. The Canon to the Ordinary and the Archdeacon will consult concerning the deployment of deacons in the diocese in  conversation with the bishop. The Archdeacon working with the Canon will track all Letters of Mutual Ministry Agreements for the deacons. All deacons who are actively serving in the diocese will have Letters of Mutual Ministry Agreements. Those deacons who have reached the age of 72, as stated in the Canons, will need to renew their Letters annually and be approved by the Bishop to continue to be active.
3. The Archdeacon will be the ex-officio chair of the Council/Commission on the Diaconate. The Archdeacon will be, as it were, an apostle for the  diaconate in the diocese. She/he will be available to respond to invitations from individual priests and congregations to preach and teach them about the diaconate. When the Bishop is not able to attend celebrations of new ministry for deacons assigned within the diocese, the Archdeacon should represent him on these occasions.

The Archdeacon Hopes

I am still in awe of the hugeness of this appointment. I pray daily God will give me the strength, energy, and knowledge to be the role model for future Archdeacons in this diocese.

The hopes I have are achievable, however, I know it will be hard work.

My first hope is that no matter where our bishops are visiting there willalways be a deacon with them. Why?  So that our congregations have a clearer understanding of the deacons link to the diocesan. When we are ordained, it states in The Examination:  “…..God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.” (BCP, pg 543) As deacons we belong to the diocesan and our accountability is to the bishop. We serve in the parish at the pleasure of the rector/vicar. Our first response should always be to the bishop when we are asked to carry out other duties. When you don’t see us in church on Sundays it could be because we are off somewhere with one of our bishops, or out serving all people in some other capacity.

My second hope would be to have a deacon in every congregation. To help identify individuals who are already deacons and help them to know who they are.

My third hope would be to help the community of deacons develop a diocesan-wide ministry we all might share in.

My last hope would be that we develop a Council for the community of deacons. As the role develops and unfolds it will become clear as to how this will happen.