The Servant Ministry of Jesus: Twenty years of a renewed diaconal ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn

Edited by Anne Ranse, Peter Robert Rose and Graham Lindsay
In 1993 Bishop George Browning, with his installation as bishop of the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn, brought with him from Brisbane a vision for the renewal of the vocational or permanent diaconate. While all deacons are able to seek ordination to the priesthood some remain deacons permanently, dedicating themselves to a life of service, proclamation and outreach to the community.
This book tells the story of the past twenty years of a renewed diaconal ministry in Canberra & Goulburn beginning with the theological foundation of the renewed approach underpinned by the article in chapter 1 by Jeff Driver (former Archbishop of Adelaide).

Bishop Matt Brain, in chapter 2, gives us a vision for the future of the diaconate from the perspective of his role as the director of Diocesan Ministry Training and Development in 2017.
Chapter 3 deals with historical and theological aspects of diakonia (the servant ministry, one who serves) and the meaning and purpose of the work of deacons in the church. Chapter 4 includes a series of reflections of the diaconate from various clergy in the Anglican Church of Australia.
In chapter 5 we read about the formation and maintenance of the Household of deacons. The ?household? model of organising the deacons seems to be universally used. The position of Archdeacon to the Household of Deacons, to oversee, equip and encourage distinctive deacons, was initiated in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn by Bishop Browning. Many of the practical and organisational issues are discussed here.

Personal reflections by deacons and others form chapter 6 whereas chapter 7 are stories by deacons about their experiences and journies.
Chapter 8 is a 'directory' of deacons who were initially ordained as vocational deacons over the past 20 years. A few have subsequently sought ordination to the priesthood.
The book concludes with a select bibliography for those who may wish to learn more about what it means to be a deacon in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn in the twenty-first century.