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ORDER OF DEACONS

Deacons

Deacons are clergy leaders who are called by God, authorized by the church and ordained by a bishop to a lifetime ministry of word, service, compassion and justice. Deacons exemplify Christian discipleship, nurture others in their relationship to God, and lead church people to respond to the needs of the needy, neglected, and marginalized of the world.

In the congregation, Deacons teach, preach, officiate at funerals and weddings, offer pastoral care, and administer the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, lead discipleship development ministries, and help lay people identify and claim their own ministries. Deacons lead the congregation in its servant ministry and equip and support all baptized Christians in their ministry as well as seekers in the world.  Through the Order of Deacons, The United Methodist Church affirms this historic, central, and distinct ministry.

Outside the walls of the church, Deacons share the good news in word and in their advocacy for the poor, neglected, oppressed, and discouraged; provide ministries of mercy; and invite Christians into these ministries.

Deacons in East Ohio serve on church staff in Christian education, missions, discipleship, and music ministries, as chaplains in hospitals and resident care facilities, and leaders at nursing homes. Deacons are working as nurses, leading mission sites and conference committees, advocating for job and community development, raising funds and building connections with people living in scarcity and reentering life as restored citizens after incarceration, counselors, as United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) coordinators, facilitators of calls to ministry, advocating for and resourcing international newcomers, on staff in the conference and in the North Central Jurisdiction. God calls us to serve in the world and in a set apart order of clergy collegiality that keeps us accountable and connected to God and each other.

Deacons help to connect the needs of the world to the church and Christ followers. Deacons help to build bridges and on-ramps for people in the world to connect with Christ followers, faith, God, and the Church.