The primary role of a Deacon is to model Servant Leadership for the people of God by ministering the Gospel in word and deed: seeking out the lost, weak, poor, alien, and marginalized in society, and supporting the Priest in public worship.

As 1 Timothy 3:8-13 puts it, “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but soberminded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

The Bishop’s Exhortation from the ACNA Diaconal Ordination Service offers additional helpful commentary on the vocation of a deacon:

“It belongs to the office of a Deacon to share in the humility and service of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the strengthening of the Church, which is his body. A deacon is to read the Gospel and proclaim Christ at all times through service, to instruct both young and old in the Catechism, and, at the direction of the Bishop or Priest, to baptize and preach.

“A Deacon shall assist the Priest in public worship, to guide the intercessions of the Congregation, to aid in the administration of Holy Communion, and to carry the Sacrament to those who are kept from the Table by illness, infirmity, or imprisonment.

“Furthermore, a Deacon is to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. It is the Deacon’s office to encourage and equip the household of God to care for the stranger, to embrace the poor and helpless, and to seek them out, so that they may be relieved.”

For more on the characteristics of a deacon, review our Credentialing Manual.

The Primary role of the Presbyter is to shepherd the people of God as a minster of Word and Sacrament: preaching the Gospel, caring for, encouraging, and leading a congregation to Christ and His work, leading his own family well, and serving those in authority over him.

As 1 Timothy 3:1-7 directs, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

We learn further from the Bishop’s Examination from ACNA Presbyter Ordination Service, “A priest must be determined to instruct the people committed to his charge from the Holy Scriptures; to teach or maintain nothing as necessary to eternal salvation but that which may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures. He must be diligent always so to minister the doctrine, sacraments, and discipline of Christ, as the Lord has commanded and as this Church has received them, according to the Commandments of God, so that he may teach the people committed to his charge to keep and observe them.

“He must be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away from the Body of Christ all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God’s Word; to use both public and private admonitions and exhortations to the weak as well as the strong within his charge, as need shall require and occasion shall be given. He must be diligent in prayer, in the reading of Holy Scripture, and in such study as may further the knowledge of the same, laying aside all distractions of the world and the flesh.

“He will be diligent to frame and fashion his own life, and the life of his family, according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make himself and them, as much as he is able, a wholesome example and pattern to the flock of Christ. He will maintain and set forward, as much as he is able, quietness, peace, and love among all Christian people, and especially among those who are or shall be committed to his charge.

“He will reverently obey his Bishop and other chief Ministers who, according to the Canons of the Church, may have charge and authority over him, following with a glad mind and a good will their godly admonitions, and submitting himself to their godly judgments.”

For more on the characteristics of a presbyter, see our Credentialing Manual.