The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice
This article proposes an innovative direction for Christian social practice by reclaiming and revitalizing the diaconate of all believers. While the ministry of the laity received attention in ecumenical circles in past decades, the diaconate of all believers now needs elaboration and reception. A f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/741 |
| _version_ | 1827735815781875712 |
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| author | Craig L. Nessan |
| author_facet | Craig L. Nessan |
| author_sort | Craig L. Nessan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article proposes an innovative direction for Christian social practice by reclaiming and revitalizing the diaconate of all believers. While the ministry of the laity received attention in ecumenical circles in past decades, the diaconate of all believers now needs elaboration and reception. A focus on the diaconate of all believers can provide a vital theological and practical paradigm for expanding Christian social practice. In this paradigm, diaconia engages the world through the involvements of Christian people in all their roles and relationships in life, including family, work, civic engagement, and church. Christian communities need to undertake focused education and intentional formation of the diaconate of all believers through their worship and educational practices. The liturgy provides substance for this formation process. Reclaiming the diaconate of all believers as a primary expression of the church’s diaconal practice means reorienting the ministry of deacons, pastors, and bishops in relation to the universal diaconate. The recovery of the diaconate of all believers has significance for a revised ecclesiology and theology of ministry that places ministry in daily life at the forefront of Christian social practice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:58:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7703dcd9a951410ea6ae2d6cc43250b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:58:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-7703dcd9a951410ea6ae2d6cc43250b72023-11-18T12:23:11ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-06-0114674110.3390/rel14060741The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, PracticeCraig L. Nessan0Contextual Theology and Ethics, Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, Dubuque, IA 52003, USAThis article proposes an innovative direction for Christian social practice by reclaiming and revitalizing the diaconate of all believers. While the ministry of the laity received attention in ecumenical circles in past decades, the diaconate of all believers now needs elaboration and reception. A focus on the diaconate of all believers can provide a vital theological and practical paradigm for expanding Christian social practice. In this paradigm, diaconia engages the world through the involvements of Christian people in all their roles and relationships in life, including family, work, civic engagement, and church. Christian communities need to undertake focused education and intentional formation of the diaconate of all believers through their worship and educational practices. The liturgy provides substance for this formation process. Reclaiming the diaconate of all believers as a primary expression of the church’s diaconal practice means reorienting the ministry of deacons, pastors, and bishops in relation to the universal diaconate. The recovery of the diaconate of all believers has significance for a revised ecclesiology and theology of ministry that places ministry in daily life at the forefront of Christian social practice.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/741baptismdaily lifediaconate of all believersdiaconiaecclesiologyformation |
| spellingShingle | Craig L. Nessan The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice Religions baptism daily life diaconate of all believers diaconia ecclesiology formation |
| title | The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice |
| title_full | The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice |
| title_fullStr | The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice |
| title_short | The Diaconate of All Believers: Theology, Formation, Practice |
| title_sort | diaconate of all believers theology formation practice |
| topic | baptism daily life diaconate of all believers diaconia ecclesiology formation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/741 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT craiglnessan thediaconateofallbelieverstheologyformationpractice AT craiglnessan diaconateofallbelieverstheologyformationpractice |