Charge to Deacons

Related to the sermon I preached yesterday on diaconal ministry, below is the charge that we give to new deacons when they are ordained at Trinity:

Charge to Deacons: (Name), you have received of the Lord Jesus to serve his church as a deacon, according to the word of the Apostles, that the elders and pastors may give themselves to the ministry of word and prayer. You are called to work with the pastors and elders as heralds of Christ’s kingdom. You are to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, to serve the community in which we live, bringing to the Church the needs and hopes of all the people. You are to work with your fellow members in searching out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the world that the love of God may be made visible. As a deacon, you are to share in the pastoral ministry of the Church and in leading God’s people in worship. You are to read the Word and bring the needs of the world before the Church in intercession. You are to labor to lead the lost to faith and bring them to baptism. You are called to assist in administering the sacraments, to distribute communion, and to minister to the sick and housebound. Therefore, we charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; lead the people of God in true religion, which the apostle James says is to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.  Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, be servant unto all, that in losing your life you may indeed find it.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called; for those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.