Did you know that ALL are called to be "deacons" by virtue of our baptism and confirmation, both men and women? The word "deacon" comes from a Greek word (diakonia) and means "Servant."

Historically, there is a particular ministry carried out by those filling an Office of Word and Service. This ministry has been called the Diaconate. 
Once provision has been made for the "one thing needful" -- the regular ministration of the Gospel and Sacraments, from which the church lives -- the very next most urgent task is to provide for the bodily needs of those members of the church who are unable to provide for themselves. It was for this purpose that the diaconate office was established in Acts 6. The rationale is clear: on the one hand the bodily needs of the people must not be neglected, but on the other hand the Apostles must be able to devote themselves to "prayer and the ministry of the Word" (v. 4). The result is the creation by the church, in Christian liberty, of that special auxiliary office, the glory of whose incumbents it is to be angels of mercy in a cruel world. Although the deacons of Acts 6 were men, we encounter in Romans 16:1 Phoebe, who was a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea. 

The deacon serves in one or more particular ministries in the congregation.  These include ministries such as social ministry, youth ministry, stewardship, outreach, visitation, evangelism, and outdoor ministry. Through the ministry of Word and Service, the deacon ministers to the baptized by nurturing the life of Christ within them, grounding them and their ministries in the gospel and common sacramental life of the community, thereby assisting the pastor in equipping the saints for their ministry to the world.  

The thing that distinguishes the diaconal from the pastoral ministry is the area of responsibility or jurisdiction.  Pastors are given the responsibility for the general life of the whole congregation.  Pastors may delegate to deacons the responsibility for particular ministries within a congregation.  In addition to jurisdiction, presiding at the sacramental ministries of the church distinguishes the pastoral from the diaconal office.

Distinguishing the diaconal ministry from the common ministry of the baptized is vocation and accountability. Diaconal ministry is an ordered ministry of teaching and shepherding the life of the gospel among the baptized. The deacon is held accountable to the constitutions, doctrines and disciplines of the Church in ways that volunteers are not. The deacon's ministry is to be in accord with and accountable to the Word and Sacrament ministry of the local congregation and under the direction of the pastor.