Church of Norway has a new Plan for diakonia!

January 2009 - Kari Jordheim writes ...

I want to share some elements of this new plan document with you in DIAKONIA, because I hope that you can find some inspiration from this to your work in your place. Diakonia is our common task, our calling, and probably some of the thoughts we have done on diakonia as an essential part of being Church here in Norway, can be recognized by you. The Plan has not been published in English yet, but this paper is based upon the first draft of the English translation.

About the Church of Norway

Most Norwegians (about 83 %) belong to the Church of Norway and many people’s religious lives find expression in church rituals and holidays.

The country which has 4,5 million inhabitants, is divided into 1284 parishes, 106 deaneries and rural deaneries, and 11 dioceses. The Church of Norway is a state-church with the king as its supreme representative, but the state church system has been under attack for the last century. The church today has more autonomy than before and there have been several reforms which show that the strong ties between the Church and the state have loosened. The church is led by a General Synod with democratic chosen delegates from the dioceses, and the government has handed over to the diocesan councils to appoint the pastors.

(see homepage; www. kirken.no/english)

The Church of Norway has about 220 parish deacons, but a lot more people with diaconal education are working in diaconal organizations, institutions and also in other positions in the church-structure.

Plan for diakonia

In 1987 the first Plan for diakonia was adopted by the General Synod. In 1997 the Plan was updated in accordance with current laws and regulations. In November 2007 the General Synod adopted a new Plan for Diakonia, and this time it a also a new definition of diakonia.

The vision for the diaconal service of the Church of Norway is the following:

In life and service making God’s love real for all human beings and all creation.

The plan is based on the following definition of diakonia:

Diakonia is the caring service of the Church. It is the Gospel in action and is expressed through love for the neighbour, inclusive community, care for creation and the fight for justice.

This definition expresses and intended direction for diaconal work, and the meaning of a central document is that the local parishes should base their local plans on these main elements and relate to local needs , resources and possibilities for cooperation, while at the same time be seen in relation to the total strategy of the parish.

The Plan wants to underline that all Christians are challenged to live a daily life in service for others. This applies to all age groups. Diakonia is a key note in all parish life and is at the same time expressed directly in practical measures. Diakonia has a special responsibility where few or none are caring. Mutuality and respect for dignity of others in fundamental.

Globalisation is a particular challenge for diakonia. Cultural and ethnical diversity is reflected in parish life. Suffering human beings are our concern, whether they are living nearby or in other countries. Care for creations is a global and a local responsibility.

In the Plan it is especially underlined how important it is with cooperation in this field. It is said that: Cooperation is vital and offers numerous possibilities. It is recommended to seek cooperation within the Church, with other churches, with organisations and institutions, with public services and also with groups representing other faiths. It is important to have a broad approach to diakonia, by seeing parish diakonia in relation to the service of diaconal institutions and organizations.

The first part of the plan reflects the basic understanding of diakonia theologically as part of the mission that God has given the Church, and which is expressed in our joint Christian faith. Diakonia is being as well as doing and is a part of being a believer. To transform faith into action means to ask time and time again: who is my neighbour? (Luke 10, 29-37) It is also to place oneself at disposal, as a community and as individuals, and ask: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18,41) and to visit the marginalized, the sick, the hungry, the thirsty and the strangers (Matthew 25, 35.46). This part also tells about how the understanding of diakonia gradually has emerged within the Church of Norway. The second part of the plan document presents tasks and practical methods . Here is guidance for drawing up plans and carrying out diaconal work in the parishes.

Four focus areas

The definition of diakonia is forming four areas of work to focus on; love for the neighbour, inclusive community, care for creation and the fight for justice.

Love for the neighbour concerns the whole human being. There are periods in life when we have the ability and the possibility to give, at other times we need to receive. Mutuality is a key word. Life conditions are different, possibilities for change are different. Care and love to the neighbour is based on mutuality equality and respect for the integrity of the other.

Inclusive community is an important expression of the Church’ care for fellow human beings. The Bible describes the community as one body with many parts and functions (1.Cor.12). This community includes people of both sexes, of different abilities and of different cultures and ethnical backgrounds. In an inclusive community the individual person shall see and be seen. Here mutual comfort and help is given, new strength is released and new hope is granted.

A new element in this definition of diakonia that hasn’t been mentioned in earlier definitions, is care for creation as a part of our God-given task to be stewards. It implies the responsibility to preserve the integrity of the entire creation. Today it is evident that human activity and our greedy consumption of resources is threatening creation, numerous species of animals and plants and the entire ecosystem. The understanding of human kind as nature’s lord and master needs to be corrected. The Church needs to enhance the understanding that human beings are dependent on all their relations - to God, to fellow human being, to themselves and to the rest of creation. Our aim should be to find the joy and gratitude of belonging to the ecological fellowship of creation. This will lead to plain speaking in society and to concrete action in our own lives.

The fight for justice implies to stand side by side with our fellow human beings, not as passive observers but as active participant. Human beings are dependent on social structures. Global systems are affecting the lives of individuals. Thus, it is necessary to clarify the causes of human misery and suffering, to work to change conditions that are upholding misery and to create new conditions for life. To express solidarity is to enter the fight and work for justice and peace.

 

So far the new Plan for diakonia in the Church of Norway. Working with diakonia in different parts of the world as deacons, deaconesses and diaconal servants in different areas, we are all part of the world-wide church, a world-wide community, and we all have the same goal - to serve Him, the greatest of all deacons, and to use our lives to do the Gospel in action.

Kari Jordheim
Diakonhjemmet University College
Oslo, Norway