This Foundational Order: The Historic Diaconate for the Modern Church

by Tara L. Jernigan

With more than eighteen years’ service as an Anglican deacon and educator, Tara Jernigan has written this book to highlight for today’s deacons, those historical moments that have shaped the Order for two millennia. Historical deacons, who’s cultural and ministry contexts were often vastly different from current times, teach us what it means to be a deacon, and how to wrestle with the less comfortable parts of this vocation and devotional life. In short, they show us what it looks like to be a reflection of Christ, the true Deacon. That, after all, is the call and nature of the diaconate.

This Foundational Order gives voice to those deacons of old who would, each in their turn, come forth to remind the deacons of today what it means to be fully in holy orders, as they serve our Lord and his Church.

142 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am conflicted on the review for this book.

Parts of it are really excellent. I especially liked the section focusing on historical deacons. But that section was too short - I would have liked to have more in-depth examples..

The chapter at the end on what deacons are doing in the liturgical service was good, although to me, its over-focus on exact placement of napkins and chalices shows the author's Nashotah House roots (and I say that as one trained in high-church liturgy by Bp. Zampino when he was with the Charismatic Episcopal Church).

But the editing (or rather, the lack of it) and lack of proofreading really brought this book's value down. I kept looking at the title page to make sure I hadn't gotten an advanced reader copy.

To me, the most valuable part of the book was the bibliography - Deacon Jernigan used it to give us links to many other good resources.

I'm glad I read this. I'll keep it on my shelf.

[Jane Burkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vocational diaconate, relatively newly resurrected in Anglicanism, is suffering an identity crisis. Different denominations have vastly different takes on what a deacon is, and the Episcopal Church seems to have settled on something like an ordained social worker. This book provides a richer view drawn from history, demonstrating that deacons in the past were well-educated catechists, preachers, and personal agents of bishops. Most of the book consists of this illuminating historical review.

Chapter 8, "The Current State of the Diaconate," was unfortunately rather disorganized, and the logic difficult to follow. An argument against ordaining people directly to the priesthood (skipping the diaconate) was mixed in with definitions of the diaconate in relation to the other orders. The muddled nature of this chapter was a real missed opportunity. It was here she made her argument for the ontological nature of the diaconate, but I came away not sure how the diaconate is ontologically different from the priesthood. The book says things like deacons are "models of self-emptying and profound obedience, which is the root of the diaconal ontology," and the diaconate is "defined in the relationship of the deacon to the bishop, consistently in iconic submission as this 'inferior' [i.e., lower] order, limited in function by that nature of Christian ministry." And again, "the place of the diaconate as 'this inferior order' becomes essential, for it thus embodies the uniquely Christian ideal of servant leadership and becomes almost revolutionary as an icon of Christian submission." (Note that "inferior" here refers solely to the diaconate being a lower position than the other orders, not to inferior quality.)

The challenge for me is that priests are also in submission to the bishop, they are also supposed to be servant leaders (as is the bishop), they are also icons of Christ, they are also supposed to set aside their "power" to serve. Rectors may have a lot more autonomy, but it's not clear to me (a lay person) that associate/assistant priests are in that much less submission than deacons. In short, nothing she says about the servanthood of deacons couldn't be applied to priests (and of course priests never stop being deacons).

Furthermore, I would have liked if she had approached from the angle of contrasting the ontological difference between deacons and laity; she then could have discussed how the laying on of hands “confers an indelible spiritual character” that enables deacons to serve as icons of Christ in a way different from the laity, which I think would have been very fruitful, especially in answering the common question "Why should you be ordained rather than continue your ministry as a lay person?"

The book would also benefit from copy editing. In addition to the muddled chapter 8, there are numerous small grammatical errors and a few redundant passages (sometimes almost word-for-word identical) throughout. These are minor annoyances, however, and the book is definitely worth reading for anyone interested in the vocational diaconate.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rev Deacon Jernigan's book condenses years of teaching and practice into a concise guide for those who are considering Holy Orders or looking for a reasoned voice of experience on the topic.

This is the book I wish I had when I was a postulant. As the only Deacon in my parish, I didn't have an immediate mentor on the journey. The Diocese had many Deacons, both vocation and transitional, and my Priest was, of course, also a Deacon, but it's always helpful to have someone who answers the practical questions with an eye on the theory behind it all. This is where Jernigan's work fills a very real need. It doesn't hurt that this perspective is distinctly Anglican, although I'm sure other traditions will find it to be useful, too.

As a literary work, the book is well organized. It builds from the work of Christ as the proto-servant, to other Biblical examples, to the history and tradition of the Church. The setup for present day Deacons is well established. I'd enjoy hearing more of Jernigan's thoughts the future of the Western Church amidst the accelerating secularization of society. She begins to go there, but seems to hold back from expressing her full opinion.

There are some sentences that work if each chapter is read independently, but are a bit repetitive when read straight through. Some concepts would benefit from further exposition and explanation. I laud Jernigan's effort to capture the essence of a vocation which has a broad array of expressions.

[Bob Ayres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jernigan's work is an excellent addition to the understanding of the diaconate and particularly the Order of Deacons in the Anglican Church as a foundational order. I intend to use and recommend this book for those in the discernment and postulancy for ordination process. Her research is varied and solid without becoming inaccessible for those not in academia. Jernigan has a readable "way with words" that is both informational and inspirational. Five stars.

[Lukas Stock · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like here. Working towards a diaconal identity based in ontology and using classical ideas like agency and the connection to the bishop is extremely helpful.

Unfortunately, this work is poorly written. Typos and egregious grammatical mistakes abound throughout. It’s still readable, but a good core argument is somewhat obscured by distracting mistakes that there’s no excuse for going to print with.

[John Damon Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful overview of the Diaconate in scripture and throughout history.

Most ministry is actually deaconing, and thus it is an order we need very much to revitalize.

Would have appreciated a bit more of a vision for what she thinks it should look like in the modern era.