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Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach. These are the words a newly ordained deacon hears from his bishop as the Book of the Gospels is placed in his hands. It is a solemn but joyous moment in which the deacon is called to a lifelong pursuit of bearing witness to Christ the Servant. The foundation of the deacon’s diaconate, the very foundation of his ministry, is intimate communion with Christ the Servant. This communion originates and deepens in the interior life, and it is here, through prayer and meditation, where he truly discovers God on a personal level and, at the same time, discovers himself in a more profound way. In Encountering Christ the Servant: A Spirituality of the Diaconate, Deacon Dominic Cerrato, PhD, offers deacons and deacon candidates an integrated approach to diaconal life and ministry, rooted in the cultivation of the interior life. In this study, Deacon Dominic outlines the primacy of the interior life, the necessity of abandonment, the sacrament of the present moment, and living the Servant Mysteries. Entering into a new and more intimate relationship with Christ the Servant will open deacons and deacon candidates to their true identity, and their mission, as heralds of the Gospel of Christ. "In this book, Deacon Dominic provides a fresh way of looking at the diaconate based on his personal experience, unique theological reflection, and a spirituality centered on Christ, the Servant. His insights are worthy of contemplation by the laity and priests." — Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri "A fascinating book that every deacon — and anyone curious about deacons — should add to their library. Deacon Cerrato has crafted a rich resource that serves as an excellent introduction to the spirituality of the diaconate, linking this vocation of service to the entire Body of Christ. Encountering Christ the Servant really means encountering him in one another — and this book helps open our eyes to the beautiful possibilities of a servant church." — Deacon Greg Kandra, author and blogger, The Deacon's Bench "Encountering Christ the Servant penetrates the heart of diaconal spirituality like no other work before it. Rooted in the ordained deacon's intimate participation in divine love and cultivated by a rich interior life that enlivens his ministry, Deacon Cerrato elevates and advances the understanding of deacons as a living icon of Christ the Servant. This book, which shines a bright light on the spiritual life of the deacon, is truly a gift to the entire Church!" — Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, author of Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African American Priest "Anytime there is a specialized work that focuses on the uniqueness of the deacon, it is a blessing. Anytime anyone attempts to plumb the depths of diaconate identity and spirituality the blessing is doubled! Readers who draw from this text will be consoled, challenged, and hopefully opened up to God's plan for their ongoing conversion. Thank you, Deacon Dominic, for providing one aspect of a broader and important movement seeking the renewal of the Diaconate." — Dcn. Stephen F, Miletic, Ph.D., Professor of Scripture, Interim Director at the Institute for Diaconate Renewal, Franciscan University of Steubenville ABOUT THE AUTHOR Deacon Dominic Cerrato, Ph.D., is Editor of OSV’s The Deacon magazine, Executive Director of Diaconal Ministries, and Director of Diaconal Formation for the Diocese of Joliet. Ordained 25 years, Deacon Dominic is an author, national speaker, and retreat master. In 2020, he was appointed by Pope Francis to the international papal commission on women and the diaconate. He and his wife, Judith, have been married for 38 years, and they have 10 children and many grandchildren.
Leadership is a subject that has gained impressive visibility in the past two decades. The number of books, monographs and articles, as well as seminars, devoted to the development of one's leadership skills has been almost exponential growth. This study is an attempt to forge a full-orbed theology of Christian leadership grounded in the teaching of Scripture. What emerges from tracing the theme of leadership through the biblical record is a servanthood pattern, one that is wholly distinct from prevailing secular models. Our exposition begins with the biblical language of the servant, the term of choice for those great leaders used of God to further his saving purposes in the world. Eleven Old Testament and five New Testament leaders are profiled. The portrait of Jesus Christ focuses on three motifs that governed his training of the twelve for kingdom ministry. The Pauline letters are mined for those convictions that governed Paul's practice of leadership, both of his mission team and of the faith communities that emerged from that mission. The treatment of each leader, from Joseph to Paul, begins with a series of preliminary questions and concludes with a mini-profile that correlates the biblical data with these questions. The final chapter offers a summary profile of the servant leader, one whose character, motives and agenda align with the divine purposes. Though designed as a textbook for upper level college and seminary courses on leadership, the book's readable format is ideal for churches and parachurch organizations in their leadership training programs. The author's prayer is that this work will serve as a catalyst to call God's people back to Scripture and thereby raise up a whole new generation of authentic servant-leaders.
Written by eleven biblical scholars, this study explores the theology of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 and answers a number of imporant questions: What is a Christian interpretation of Isaiah 53? What is a Jewish interpretation of Isaiah 53? How did the New Testament writers understand Isaiah 53? How should forgiveness and salvation be understood in Isaiah 53? How can Isaiah 53 be used in Jewish evangelism? How do we preach Isaiah 53?
"This book presents a biblical theology of discipleship that gives the “big picture” of God’s relationship with humanity. It surveys God’s interaction with humankind from Eden, through the sequence of the biblical covenants, and on into the fulfillment that comes in Jesus. Throughout, the twin themes emerge—one of God’s demand of righteousness and another of his prior, enabling grace. Discipleship to Jesus stands in relation to its Old Testament precedents, preserving continuity in the grace/demand interplay. Jesus’ ministry to Israel is the fulfillment of the interactions between God and his people, assuming the roles of righteous King and gracious Servant. Faithful discipleship to Jesus the King, therefore, must always involve responding to his bracing call for righteousness, but doing so in the ongoing experience of the Servant’s prior, enabling grace. This book provides an understanding of Jesus that will facilitate ongoing experiences of transforming grace, which in turn will enable faithful discipleship. As such, it presents a view of Christian discipleship that is grounded in an informed Christology of Jesus, the Servant King."
With careful biblical exposition and keen cross-cultural awareness, Duane Elmer offers principles and guidance for avoiding misunderstandings and building relationships in ways that honor people in other cultures.
Through the three areas of calling, formation and ordination, and ministry, The Heart of the Diaconate outlines what those who are considering the diaconate must possess if it is truly going to be an effective and vibrant ministry within the church. With a focus on availability to both prayer and ministry, the future of the diaconate must be mystical, youthful, and possessing one evangelical question, "Where has the gospel yet to reach, and how may I announce it in those places?" +
Since its implementation in 1968, the diaconate has been struggling to find its voice within the larger Church. Its suppression as a permanent part of the three-fold hierarchy for over 1000 years has left the order theologically impoverished leading to confusion as to the role and mission of the sacred office. This book is a response to the International Theological Commission and indeed the Church herself, to develop a more refined theology of the diaconate using Pope John Paul II's Personalism and Theology of the Body. The unique aspect of Deacon Cerrato's contribution is that it grounds diaconal theology in the interplay between divine and human love. Where other theological approaches tend to reduce deacons to their function, to what they do; a personalist approach roots deacons in who they are, Christ the Servant. In this regard, diaconal service is not doing something, but instead giving Someone. This contextualizes the diaconate in terms of a salvific gift-of-self that wills the good of another for the sake of the other. Using Pope John Paul II's approach to Scripture, Deacon Cerrato takes these insights to explore what it means "to serve at table" (Acts 6: 2-3). Finally, in what he calls the Establishment Hypothesis, Deacon Cerrato shows how all of these insights lead to a more integrated and organic understanding of Holy Orders. Endorsements: What Deacon Cerrato has accomplished is to pioneer a more creative approach to diaconal identity beyond the ready ecclesial documents which, while indispensable, do not contain all that the faith-filled intellect wants to ponder and receive from the truth of the diaconal mysteries. Let this work of Deacon Cerrato open your imagination and coax us all to think anew. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D. Director of the Institute of Priestly Formation The Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in its opening line tells us that "the origin of the diaconate is the consecration and mission of Christ, in which the deacon is called to share." Sophisticated philosophical language can tell us what this means; but the lived reality is what deacons are called to do. Deacons are not simply church decorations understood by their functional placement at the altar. They share in the very servanthood of Christ our Savior. We are grateful that Deacon Cerrato has given us such a thorough and engaging study of the theology of the diaconate. Most Rev. Jeffrey Monforton, Bishop of Steubenville This book thankfully focuses on the "what" or essence of the mystery of Christ the Servant. Service is always relationship, ministry is Christ's relationship with those in need. Cerrato plumbs the depths of Scripture, Patristics and takes advantage of certain philosophical currents to unfold the deeper mysteries of Christ the Servant, present and engaged in what is today called the Permanent Deacon. This work has opened up and advanced new vistas for a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ the Servant actualized in ordained ministry. Deacon Stephen Miletic, Ph.D. Professor of Scripture, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Winner of a 2022 Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Award: Resources for Ministry (Third Place). Whether you are seasoned from years of ministry or are just getting started living out the vows you made at ordination, this essential handbook will provide the spiritual and practical support you need as a Catholic deacon in the Church today. In Our Life of Service, international speaker and bestselling author Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers will inspire and uplift you as he and his brother deacons—including Greg Kandra, Larry Oney, Dominic Cerrato, and Thomas J. Fox—share their testimonies and insights about how to serve God with determination, faith, and vision. Burke-Sivers explains the gift of the diaconate as a living image of Christ the Servant in the world, a source of comfort and hope at a time when both are in short supply. Burke-Sivers explores the daily realities of life to answer important questions about the diaconate such as: What does the Church teach about the purpose of this ministry both within the parish and the world? How are the three key responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying, and leading entrusted to a deacon at ordination practiced in daily life? How does his commitment to his wife help a married deacon balance his duties to his family and ministry? What are practical strategies and solutions for the challenges deacons face, especially when conflicts arise within ministry? Burke-Sivers also calls for younger, more diverse groups of men who reflect on the face of the Church to become permanent deacons in order to bridge the gap between the Church and the world and to reach the unchurched. Each chapter contains questions for reflection, action steps, and prayers to help deacons strengthen their own commitment to their calling. Drawing from the writings of St. John Paul II and other ecclesial writings about the purpose and gift of the permanent diaconate, Burke-Sivers educates and inspires us to more fully appreciate this gift and enriches and encourages those who have themselves answered this call. Written for deacons in active ministry, Our Life of Service is also inspiring reading for Catholics in the pew who are considering a call or who simply want to understand the purpose and gift of the permanent diaconate.
I am often disturbed or disappointed by what I experience when I "go to church",' says David Peterson. 'At first glance the issues seem to be practical... Mostly, however, these practical failings seem to reveal a poor understanding of why we gather, little awareness of how to lead a gathering effectively, and an inadequate grasp of what we should expect from our time together.' In response, Peterson offers this accessible and stimulating exposition, intended to help everyone involved in planning and leading church services think more biblically and creatively about this important ministry. Our ultimate aim should be to honour and glorify God as we take our part in the edification of his church. 'We encounter God by listening to what he has revealed to us in Scripture and by responding to the work of his Son, as the gospel directs. The gift of his Spirit enables us to minister his truth to one another and to take our part in the building of his church. In biblically informed singing, in reading and reflecting on the Bible together, in biblically driven prayer and praise, and in sharing the Lord's Supper together, God confronts us with his character and will for us and makes it possible for us to submit to and serve him appropriately in every area of our lives.'