Search Results diaconal conference

  • 06/01/2012Making Connections, Exploring Diaconal Ministry – Diaconal Conference Sept 2011

    For information about the conference and to download the recordings from the conference see the link below:

    Diaconal Conference Information

  • 08/09/2011‘Making Connections’ – Exploring Diaconal Ministry

    8 September 2011–9 September 2011

    Over 140 people gathered at St John’s College, Durham University for ‘Making Connections’ Exploring Diaconal Ministry, a major international ecumenical conference held in September. The conference brought speakers and guests together from various denominations to explore the renewed interest in diaconal ministry and its potential contribution to the wider church and society.

    The event included a presentation and discussion of emerging findings from a two-year research project exploring Good Practice in Diaconal Ministry in the Methodist Church of Great Britain, led by Dr Andrew Orton of Durham University and funded by the Methodist Church of Great Britain.  Leading experts, including Dr Paula Gooder and the Rev Dr Maurice Staton addressed the conference on themes such as the historical, biblical, denominational and contemporary understanding of diaconal ministry.

    Former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference Deacon Eunice Attwood spoke about understandings of diaconal ministry in a Connexional Church, and the Rev Canon Professor Paul Avis explored the reconstruction of the diaconate within ecumenical dialogue.  Dr John N Collins gave a public lecture as part of the conference on ‘The Ties that Bind: Deacons Today in the Light of Yesteryear’, which addressed the diversity of deacons’ roles across the ecumenical spectrum.

     Full-Press-Release

    Conference Recordings available to download:

    Paula Gooder Keynote Address – Than Nature of Diakonia and how it Relates to the Role of a Deacon.

    Maurice Station Keynote Address – The Development of Diaconal Ministry in Methodism

    Todd Stockdale – Introduction to Part 1: The Contemporary Nature of Diaconal Ministry in British Methodism

    Andrew Orton – Introduction to Part 2 – Relationships between Different Ministries (Lay and Ordained)

    Paul Avis Keynote Address – The Reconstruction of the Diaconate and Ecumenical Dialogue

    Eunice Attwood Keynote Address – Developing Deacons

    Andrew Orton – Introduction to Part 3: Contemporary Diaconal Practice – Learning and Dilemmas

  • 11/05/2011Press Release – Diaconal Conference 8th and 9th Sept 2011

    ‘Making Connections’ Exploring Contemporary Diaconal Ministry

    A major international, ecumenical conference on diaconal ministry in the contemporary church is being held at St. John’s College in Durham on 8th and 9th September this year.

    The conference will explore the remarkable re-emergence and growth of diaconal ministries across many church denominations, and their implications for the Church and its relationship with wider society.  for more see

  • 03/02/2011Diaconal Research

    GOOD PRACTICE IN DIACONAL MINISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT

    Click for the Executive Summary Document

    This research was set up jointly between the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order, Deacon Sue Culver, and the Director of the Wesley Study Centre, the Revd Dr Calvin Samuel, and funded by the Methodist Church.  The research aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by Deacons in the Methodist Church in their work.  The aims were to explore the issues arising for Deacons in their work, including their own understandings of their work and their experience of the dilemmas that this can raise.

    The research built on earlier doctoral work by the researcher, Dr Andrew Orton, exploring different understandings of good practice in Christian community work.  The approach taken was based on using questions to encourage reflection and help develop understanding of this work.  The project included some individual observations and discussions with deacons as they worked, some group interviews to explore collective understandings, and some interviews with other key people whose perspectives may help the Order to reflect on their work.  Andrew is a professional community worker who has experience of working with a wide range of churches, charities, and other organisations as they engage in local communities.  He is a member of the Methodist Church and has also been involved in teaching deacons and community/youth workers at Durham University.

    It was hoped that the research was useful:

    (i)  to individual deacons who participated, through encouraging constructively critical reflection on their own work in light of others’ experience;

    (ii)  for the Methodist Diaconal Order, in terms of helping to develop spaces and resources within its patterns of ministry which support the initial and ongoing development of diaconal practice;

    (iii)  for the Methodist Church, through facilitating an improved understanding of diaconal ministry and its place in the wider church;

    (iv)  for the wider church, through contributing evidence to continuing ecumenical conversations on diaconal contributions to the Body of Christ;

    (v)  for those with whom deacons work, through the new ideas and resources which may be generated through the participative research process.

    Andrew is happy to answer any questions about the research.  His contact details are:

    Dr Andrew Orton, Wesley Research Fellow, Wesley Study Centre, St John’s College, Durham University.  Tel. 0191 334 3898 Email: a.j.orton@durham.ac.uk

     See here for Press Release re Making Connections Conference (September 2011).

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