Diaconal Studies—the book

Diaconal Studies: Lived Theology for the Church in North America 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.

Contributors include scholars and practitioners from Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, Reformed, and uniting ecumenical Protestant traditions. Click on each author’s name below to view a video introduction of their chapter.

Endorsements

This remarkable compilation illuminates the vital role of deacons and diaconal ministers throughout history and into the future. With deep theological insights and practical implications, each contribution enriches our understanding of diaconal ministry’s transformative influence in the church and the world. A must-read for clergy, lay leaders, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of service and leadership.
—Amie Stewart, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Church

A passionate and thoughtful addition to the field of diaconal studies.
—Ted Dodd, President, DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Caribbean (DOTAC)

Across theological and ecclesial traditions, the diaconate is changing the Church. In this bold collection of essays spanning denominations, cultures, and nations, we see how further change is necessary and how theological education and scholarship can respond as well as lead the way.
—Lake Lambert, President of Hanover College, Indiana, and Diaconal Minister, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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

Diakonia is our pulpit in the midst of society. Through diaconal work, we go where God and people need us most, where life is both broken and vividly alive. This book offers an inspiring adventure to think theology from that starting point as a pillar of church development in the twenty-first century.
—Beate Hofmann, Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck, Germany

Lived Theology for the Church in North America… amplifies the challenges in our churches and communities, and energizes everyone for radical service. It affirms the infiniteness of incarnation and the promise of salvation that comes from shared diakonia.
—Lizette G. Tapia-Raquel, Academic Dean, Union Theological Seminary, Philippines

Lived Theology for the Church in North America is an important contribution to the future of diaconia and the diaconal church in its engagement with the issues facing diverse people and societies. The book aims to catalyse developments in learning and formation for diaconia by drawing on different experiences. In fact, the book is a good example of learning by difference—writers are from eight different countries and diverse protestant traditions, each with their understanding of diaconia. It is a timely contribution to advancing learning and formation for diaconia and the diaconal church not only in North America but in other world regions.
—Tony Addy, Research Associate, VID University Norway and Pretoria University in South Africa

Contributors and Video Introductions:

• Valerie Bailey is chaplain to the college at Williams College, Massachusetts, and a priest in the Episcopal Church (US).
• Jessica Bickford is a deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada-Diocese of Montreal and co-founder of Phoenix Community Projects, where she serves as the executive director.
• Sandra Boyce is president of Diakonia World Federation and a member of the United Church of Australia.
• Mitzi J. Budde is head librarian and professor at Virginia (Episcopal) Theological Seminary and a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
• Margaret Ann Crain is professor emerita of Christian Education and Deacon Studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological School and an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church.
• Norma P. Dollaga is a deaconess in the Philippines Annual Conference of the Manila Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, appointed to Kapatirang Simbahan Para a Bayan (KASIMBAYAN) / Ecumenical Center for Development.
• Kristin Husby Dyrstad is a deacon in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Norway, working on a Ph.D. at VID Specialized University about the history of deacon education.
• Johannes Eurich is extraordinary professor for practical theology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, director of the Institute for Diaconal Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany, and chair of The International Society for the Research and Study of Diaconia and Christian Social Practice (ReDI).
• Norma Cook Everist is Professor of Church and Ministry, emerita, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Iowa, and a deaconess and pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
• Benjamin L. Hartley is an associate professor of Mission and World Christianity at Seattle Pacific University and an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church.
• Annette Leis-Peters is a professor of Sociology of Religion and Diaconal Studies and academically responsible for the PhD program in Diaconia, Values and Professional Practice at VID Specialized University in Norway.
• Julie Anne Lytle is an ssociate professor and director of Distributive and Lifelong Learning Initiatives at Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation, Chicago.
• Lori Mills-Curran is former executive director of the Association for Episcopal Deacons and founding executive director of ProGente Connections, an ecumenical immigrant advocacy ministry in the Boston area.
• Mary Elizabeth Moore is Professor Emerita of Theology and Education and Dean Emerita of the School of Theology, Boston University, and a deacon in The United Methodist Church.
• Craig L. Nessan is the William D. Streng Professor for the Education and Renewal of the Church and a professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Iowa.
• Daphne B. Noyes is a deacon in the Episcopal Church (US) and recipient of research grants from the Episcopal Women’s History Project and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church.
• Dionata Rodrigues de Oliveira is the diaconal advisor of Nordeste Gaúcho Synod and is the Community of Deacons coordinator for Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil.
• Darryl W. Stephens teaches at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania, and is a deacon in The United Methodist Church.
• Ignatius Swart is a full professor in the Department of Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, and a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
• Leo Yates Jr. is an adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary and a United Methodist deacon serving in pastoral ministry.
• Man-Hei Yip is an assistant professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Iowa.

Funding

This project was supported by grants from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. Open access publication was made possible in part by financial support from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church.