An article from Karl Sigurbjörnsson, Ragnheidur Sverrisdottir, Sigurdur Arni Thordarson with the title “Diaconia in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland” published in: NEO Nordisk Ekumenisk Orintering nr 2 juni 2002. p. 12-13.

 

Theological context

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland, ELCI, did endorse the Faith and Order document Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. The article M31 focuses on the meaning of diaconate in the Church: “Deacons represent to the Church its calling as servant in the world. By struggling in Christ’s name with the myriad needs of societies and persons, deacons exemplify the interdependence of worship and service in the Church’s life. They exercise responsibility in the worship of the congregation: for example by reading the scriptures, preaching and leading the people in prayer. They help in the teaching of the congregation. They exercise a ministry of love within the community. They fulfil certain administrative tasks and may be elected to responsibilities for governance.”

Restoring the diaconate in Iceland

Based on this article steps were taken by the ELCI to restore the diaconate as an ordained ministry with its own right. Deacons are ordained by the Bishop of Iceland. Some theologians questioned the need, the rationale, the status and the functions of deacons in the ELCI. They wondered in what sense the diaconate could be considered as a part of the ordained ministry. That discussion is kept alive and is a necessary one. The ELCI enterd the Povoo Communion with a spirit of openness. The Porvoo Common Statement presupposes and expresses threefold ministry within the christian church. The article 58 (v) states: “to welcome persons episcopally ordained in any of our churches to the office of bishop, priest or deacon to serve, by invitation and in accordance with any regulations which may from time to time be in force, in that ministry in the receiving church without re-ordination;” The Porvoo Statement also makes clear the commitment of the Porvoo-communion (art. 58): “vii) to work towards a common understanding of diaconal ministry.” This also summarizes the situation within our church. The more deacons who are called and practicing in Iceland the clearer it becomes how valuabe they are. But the deacons themselves and the theologians working on theology of ministry have continued discussion of the meaning of diaconia in Iceland. That endeavor is an important one and also shapes ecclesiology in Iceland.

The caritative service of the church

More and more pastors are doing special ministry, called and hired by the health-sector. The Bishop has also provided new openings for pastors serving special groups, e.g. immigrants, mentally retarded, prisoners, inner-city youths etc. Other diaconal work of the ELCI is mostly organized on the parish level and done either by ordained deacons or lay workers and volunteers. Presently, ten deacons are working in parishes and one for a whole diocese. Two deacons have been employed by hospitals and six deacons have received call from schools and caritative organizations. In January 2002 four deacons were ordained, entering both special services and parish ministry.

Education of deacons

Deacons in Iceland is either a very old or a quite new phenomenon. Deacons were a part of both pre- and post- reformation era. By the beginning of the twentieth century they were history. In the 1960s two deacons were ordained and some others received diaconal education in Scandinavia, but formal posts and roles for them were lacking. After a debate in the early 1990s the Church Assembly decided to reestablish the office of the deacon in the Church of Iceland. Subsequently, in 1993, the Department of theology at the University of Iceland launched a program for educating deacons. Two tracks are presently available, one-year program (30 credits) and the other, a three-year program (90 credits). Both programs prepare students for becoming deacons in the fields of education and charity work. Applicants for the shorter program must have a degree in education, nursing or related fields. This program is comparable to diaconal education in Scandinavia. The longer program is intended for students who fulfill general requirement for university study but without any prior professional education. Students are required to take courses in sociology and nursing. Students in both programs have to complete two months field practice organized by the church.

Diaconia of the Church is needed

The homongeneous Icelandic society is breaking up, with its traditional sense of solidarity. It is becoming more pluralistic. In spite of the economic affluence more and more people are being crushed in competition and social disintegration. The congregations within the ELCI are realizing that the state or the communal welfare systems are not doing an adequate job in securing welfare of all. Hence, the old christian mission of caring for the needy is being rediscovered. For several years now, more diaconal candidates have been educated than have been hired by the Church. Given the social tasks and needs more and more parishes will call deacons. The boards of the parishes also have become more sensitive towards the importance of deacons within the Church. Deacons have been welcome by more and more pastors who have come to realize that they pose no threat.

The future of diaconal identity and theology

Because diaconal ministry is that new in the ELCI, the identy of the deacon is in the process of becoming. This both applies to the personal dimension of the deacons and also to the understanding of ministry within and for the church. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland keeps a listening ear to the flourishing discussions on the role and meaning of diaconia in the Church.

Karl Sigurbjörnsson, Ragnheidur Sverrisdottir, Sigurdur Arni Thordarson