Diaconal Studies

CONTENTS

List of Figures vii
Abbreviations ix
Foreword by Ted Dodd xi
Foreword by Jean Berchmans Mweningoma xiii

Introduction by Craig L. Nessan and Darryl W. Stephens 1

PART 1: DIAKONIA FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
1-Establishing Diaconal Studies in North America
Craig L. Nessan 15
2-Emergent Diakonia in Response to Changing Contexts
Sandra Boyce 29
3-Ecumenical Convergence on the Diaconate in North America
Mitzi J. Budde 39
4-The Problem and Promise of the Diaconate
Benjamin L. Hartley 51
5-Strengthening Diakonia for a Thriving Church
Margaret Ann Crain 63

PART 2: LIBERATING DIACONAL PRAXIS
6-Christian Diaconal Practice Through the Lens of Human Dignity
Ignatius Swart 75
7-Liberating Diakonia in a Brazilian Perspective
Dionata Rodrigues de Oliveira 89
8-A Theology of Diakonia at the Margins
Norma Cook Everist 101
9-The Work of Diakonia Toward Koinonia Among
LGBTQIA+ Persons and the Church
Leo Yates Jr. 111
10-De-Subjugating the Servant Image as a Theo-Diaconal Intervention
Man-Hei Yip 123
11-Developing a Trauma-Informed Diaconal Praxis
Darryl W. Stephens 133

PART 3: DIACONAL LEADERSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY
12-The Diaconal Spirituality of Activism in the Philippines
Norma P. Dollaga 149
13-Women Shaping Diaconal Theology in The Episcopal Church
Valerie Bailey 159
14-Reclaiming the Lessons and Legacies of the Earliest
Episcopal Deaconess
Daphne B. Noyes 173
15-Imagining the Future of Diakonia
Jessica Bickford 185
16-Reclaiming Spirituality in Diaconal Work in Germany
Johannes Eurich 195

PART 4: DIACONAL STUDIES AND FORMATION
17-Diaconal Studies in an Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Norway
Annette Leis-Peters 207
18-A Norwegian Case for Formation in the Diakonia Curriculum
Kristin Husby Dyrstad 221
19-Investment in Diaconal Flourishing in The Episcopal Church
Lori Mills-Curran 239
20-A Competency-Based, Mentor-Assessed Path for Diaconal Formation
Julie Anne Lytle 251
21-Theology of Liberative Service
Mary Elizabeth Moore 265

Index of Names 275
Index of Subjects 277
Contributors 285

Craig L. Nessan is the William D. Streng Professor for the Education and Renewal of the Church and Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Darryl W. Stephens is an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church and teaches at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

WHY WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN?
Questions to the Authors

Diaconal Studies: Darryl Stephens and Craig Nessan

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
We needed a resource to teach and teach about diakonia for church leaders in North America.

2. What is distinctive about the content of your book?
This collection of essays has not been published before. This book combines ecumenical perspectives, scholarly acumen, and practical knowledge to shape the diaconate into the church's future.

3. Why is this subject important?
The church in North America is undergoing a profound shift at the end of Christendom. Diakonia provides a missional perspective, methodology, and praxis for this new mission field. Diaconal studies has the potential to renew the church as it meets new challenges in North America.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry? Ministry beyond the walls of the church, empowering neighbors and neighborhoods, and advocating in solidarity with the impoverished—this would make a huge difference for ministry that has become a chaplaincy of the status quo.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
Thank you to OCMS and Regnum for supporting us in this project.

DIACONAL STUDIES:
Lived Theology for the Church in North America
Diaconal Studies explores and creates new ways of incarnating the church’s ministry, seeking to enhance connections between doctrine and daily life, service and social critique, solidarity and transformation – for a wide array of helping professions. This book aims to accelerate learning between North American and global diaconal
educators and reflective practitioners, with contributors from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Norway, South Africa, and the United States. Deeply rooted in the theological tradition, diaconal studies can ground, renew, and invigorate interdisciplinary academic discourse to address the most urgent challenges in the contemporary world.
A passionate and thoughtful addition to the field of diaconal studies.
Ted Dodd, President of DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Caribbean (DOTAC)

From the challenges of establishing diaconal studies in North America to the liberating praxis at the margins, this collection offers a compelling vision for the future of diaconal ministry, emphasizing human dignity, ecumenical convergence, and transformative leadership. I highly
recommend this book to everyone who wants to explore further how diakonia can thrive in a rapidly changing world, bringing hope and justice to the communities it serves.
Stephanie Dietrich, Professor of Diaconal Studies,
VID Specialised University, Oslo, Norway

Diaconal Studies is a fresh look at diaconal ministry and its necessity to the health and vitality of the church. It will be a valuable resource for those engaged in diaconal ministry, those considering a call to a ministry of service, theological faculty, boards of ordained ministry, and
pastors seeking to extend the call and ministry of the diaconate. Its rich historical perspective, ecumenical reach, and practical insights will deepen and broaden the understanding and transformational nature of diaconal ministry.
John Schol, Bishop of The United Methodist Church

Diaconal ministry – whether ordained, lay or commissioned – is essential to the vitality and integrity of Christian witness in any age. This compendium invites and equips the Church for new expressions and understandings of diaconal ministries.
Nathan D. Baxter, Bishop (retired),
The Episcopal Church Diocese of Central Pennsylvania