The History of the Diaconate (3): Its Place in Christendom since the Reformation

We have seen that the office of deacon as instituted in the New Testament church fell into disgrace during the Middle Ages, when it was considered inferior to the priesthood, and when the deacon was assigned liturgical, pastoral, and administrative duties, but not the care of the poor. Out of the Reformation came new branches of churches -- Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist, and Anglican. Each had its own view of church government, and consequently its own view of the place and work of the...