Re-examination of the Diaconate

"In a move which could signal a longer-term shift in the ministry of England's established church, the role of deacons as missionaries to their communities should be taken more seriously, argues a report from the Church of England’s Faith and Order Advisory Group published last week.
It suggests that people exploring a vocation to the priesthood should be encouraged to consider ministering as a deacon – the ‘diaconate’ - as a long-term option just as a stage on the journey towards 'proper' ordination, as some see it."

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5613

This article touches upon a very important concept that we as Indian Orthodox need to re-examine. Within the history of the Church, the role of the diaconate has been an important one. Unfortunately, today's image of the role within the Malankara establishment has become distorted. Deacons of today are placed in the same boat as clergy and set apart in the eyes of the general congregation imparting a needless stroking of the ego on impressionable young men. While we most certainly respect their ordination, the title of "Deacon" should be restored as having a unique identity within the ministry rather than as a "Semassan-Achen"(aka Achen Jr. or Achen-Lite).

Certainly within the American Diocese of today, we can see the active involvement and unquestionable positive results of the young men who have already accepted this position. By concentrating on re-establishing each of the separate orders of the diaconate (Reader, Sub-deacon, etc.) the results would be threefold:

1) Better organization of "manpower resources" within each church.

2) Attracting even more qualified individuals who are interested in taking up the work of the Church but who do not necessarily wish to take the "next step" towards priesthood.

3) Removing the thick line between clergy and the faithful. Deacons should be returned to being normal congregants who have taken an extra committed step.

Successful achievement of these three points would no doubt enhance the ability of existing priests to better tailor their energies within congregations. They'd have more time to conduct services, minister to those in need, and even extra time to prepare sermons. (And after some of the messages I've heard in churches, some might argue that the latter is the most important....)

As per the article, the Church of England is certainly on to something in taking another look at the role. While some may argue that that is a totally different institution, within our own Oriental Orthodox brotherhood to see the positive effects of numerous deacons and a more defined set of orders.