What's a Presbyter?

Another thing from the Welcome Service: overheard behind me, somewhere in the congregation, "What's a Presbyter?" This was because it was announced that there were two student ministers, myself (a Presbyter) and someone else (a Deacon).

In some ways this highlights some of the issues with ministry. I am a Student Minister. I am also a Student Presbyter. The Presbyter part indicates that I am going to be one of the Ministers that will preach the Gospel, declare God's forgiveness to the penitent, baptize, confirm, preside at Communion, lead God's people in worship, prayer and service, minister Christ's Love and compassion, and serve others. At least, that's what it says in the Ordination Service, and in the Methodist Church report "What is a Presbyter".

To some, the confusion may start here. Isn't that what a Minister is? Historically yes, but this isn't the only form of ordained ministry in Methodism; we also have Deacons. Deacons have a somewhat different focus and set of responsibilities; they are also part of a Religious Order. This page from the Order's own website explains better than I can what a Deacon means; or at least in the Methodist Church. (That's another problem by the way; virtually all denominations have their own definition of what a Deacon is, should they have them at all!)

So both Presbyters and Deacons are Ordained Ministers. This is important to remember; something that frequently irks Deacons (or occasionally people like me who know Deacons and Student Deacons) is when someone refers to "Ministers and Deacons" - it somehow implies that they aren't actually ministers, when in fact they have a different type of ministry. The page from the Diaconal Order mentions the confusion, and in some ways it's not surprising when even the Methodist Church Website seems to list "Ministers" and "Deacons" in seperate sections - look at this page!

Ah well, back to work....