Diaconal means relating to a deacon or to the role of a deacon, which can mean the ecclesiastical office of Deacon, but which can also refer to forms of service provided by all believers in general. In our Basileian way of life, all believers are diaconally called to “serve the Church and the world” with their gifts and resources. All believers, regardless of their particular office in the Church – baptized believer, Deacon, Presbyter or Consecrated Abbot – are called to diaconal service. In Basileia this means specifically to diaconal service with a missional initiative and/or with our respective Presbyter Councils, Deacon Councils and Missional Councils. All Basileians, not just some, are called to serve diaconally in these ways, regardless of their particular office. As Jesus said to His disciples as they disputed among themselves who was the greatest, “But I am among you as the one who serves or literally, as one who “deacons” (Lk. 22:27). The word “serves” in Luke 22:27 is a translation of διακονῶν (diaconon). Thus since Jesus is among us as one who deacons, how much more should we be diaconal in relation to all?
Also see Deacon, Priesthood of All Believers, and Serve the Church and the World.