Archdeacons

Archdeacons work alongside the deacons in their regions to support them in their ministry as well as to encourage support and connections between deacons. This includes:

• Gather deacons for all-diaconate retreats and other regular gatherings regionally (prayer, study, fellowship, support, etc.).
• Encourage all deacons to serve at all levels of leadership within the Church and their regions.
• Walk with deacons who seek to retire from active ministry.
• Walk with deacons who seek to be released or removed from holy orders.

All of this is to empower the Church to engage in ministry beyond the four walls of the church building and create a stronger diaconal community across ECCT.

In addition, one Archdeacon will serve on the Advisory Council for the Province I School for Deacons and another will serve as a liaison for the Association of Episcopal Deacons. A third will interface with the work and ministry of Province I, of which ECCT is a part.

All deacons continue their special relationship with the Episcopate, continuing to reach out and connect with bishops for pastoral care and support. Archdeacons will offer another layer of support for our deacons in their life and ministry.

Archdeacons will meet regularly with the Bishop Suffragan, including quarterly gatherings with the Archdeacon’s Council. Archdeacons will work with the Bishop Suffragan on exploring a deacon’s parish placement by monitoring lengths of assignments as well as locations. They will also assist in parish transitions. Archdeacons may also occasionally accompany bishop visitations and participate in ECCT events, especially in liturgy and at mission-focused events. Finally, when given appropriate permission, the Archdeacons will relay concerns to the Bishop Suffragan on behalf of deacons who might desire pastoral support.

ECCT Archdeacons will help find, form, and foster deacons and further promote the understanding of the diaconate throughout ECCT.

Find: Parishes often see and know members called to the diaconate already.

Form: Support efforts in the Office of Lay & Ordained Vocations to connect aspirants to appropriate mentors.

Foster: Create and facilitate opportunities for consistent collaboration among deacons in ministry.

Archdeacon assignments are non-stipendiary. The ECCT budget anticipates absorbing the cost of mileage, relevant incidentals, and continuing education relevant to the role (e.g. Association of Episcopal Deacons).