Elder vs. Deacon: Understanding the Difference

Many people don’t realize there are two clerical orders in The United Methodist Church (UMC), because clergy tend to emphasize their job titles rather than their clerical order. This is, in part, because there are some Annual Conferences who only have few ordained deacons. Unless you attend a church that has a deacon on staff, or participate in denominational events where deacons are often represented, it is possible for someone to never know! Consequently, the difference between elders and deacons in The UMC can be confusing or simply unknown. Both orders bring unique gifts and graces to the church and are important to the life and growth of  the church and the community. The roles of deacon and elder shouldn’t be seen as a hierarchy, but rather as a partnership in The UMC’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Nonetheless, if you’ve discerned a call to ministry and are seeking ordination, you have to discern your path. Are you called to ordination as an elder or a deacon? Understanding the difference between the two orders is the first step to determining which one you are called to. 

The main difference between elders and deacons is: 

• Elders typically serve in the local church, ordering the life of the church, with their center of gravity at the pulpit, Table and Font. 
• Deacons typically serve in appointments beyond the local church, bridging the church and the world, with their center of gravity at the threshold of the church. 

This doesn’t mean elders aren’t ever found in appointments outside of the local church, or deacons aren’t ever appointed to local churches, preaching or presiding at the Table or Font. Understanding your center of gravity, the heart of your call to ordained ministry, will ultimately determine which ordination path you will take, and could influence your educational journey. 

Read on to discover more about the roles of elders and deacons, which one you may be called to, the ordination pathways of each, and the educational possibilities. 

Defining the Role of United Methodist Elders  

Elders are defined in The Book of Discipline by their dedication to the fourfold lifetime ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order and Service ( ¶¶340).

1. Word & Ecclesial Acts: To preach, teach and be faithful to the Word of God in worship, discipleship and evangelism. To counsel people with personal, ethical or spiritual struggles. To perform the ecclesial acts of marriage and burial. To visit the aged, sick, imprisoned or in need.
   
   
2. Sacrament: To administer the sacraments of baptism and The Lord’s Supper. To explain the meaning of sacraments and encourage the congregation to participate fully in each. 
   
   
3. Order: To lead the administrative and organizational affairs of the local church. To lead the church in tithing to the annual conference and general church. To participate in denominational programs and training. 
4. Service: To embody the teachings of Jesus in servant leadership. To build up the body of Christ as a caring and giving community for the world. To participate in community, ecumenical and interreligious concerns. 

The elder’s center of gravity is the Table. As such, the four characteristics of an elder’s ministry are created with the local parish church in mind. Generally speaking, elders work with lay people within local congregations , seeking perfection in Word and deed. This is why elders typically serve as pastors in the local church with preaching and the sacraments at the center of their ministry. 

However, elders are not limited to only local congregations. They also commonly serve as hospital, prison, and military chaplains, missionaries who serve as pastors or evangelists or denominational leaders at the conference or general level. Sometimes, elders also serve in non-profit or academic settings as well.

The Greek word typically translated in the Bible as elder is “presbuteros,” literally meaning “elderly.” Although members of the order of elders do not have to be elderly, the biblical use implies that elders act in a role of authority in the local assembly of Christians. 

Those who are called to the Order of Elders dedicate themselves to itineracy. This means the elder serves in their appointment, whether it be in the local church or beyond the local church, at the pleasure of the presiding bishop, for one year at a time. An elder’s new appointment is discerned and initiated by the presiding bishop and appointive cabinet, not the individual elder or the local congregations. Annually, elders are either reappointed to their current context, or moved, depending on the needs of the conference and the congregations involved. These shifts happen at different intervals, but on average new appointments occur every five to seven years. 

Defining the Role of United Methodist Deacons 

Deacons are defined in The Book of Discipline by their dedication to the fourfold ministry of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice (¶¶329). 

In 1996, the Order of Deacons was established as a separate ordination track in The UMC. With its relatively recent creation as a separate order, there’s often confusion about the role of deacons in the church, and what they do that’s different from elders. While The Book of Discipline states that deacons are called to Word, Service, Compassion and Justice, it doesn’t define the fourfold ministry of deacons with the clarity that it does elders. Additionally, prior to 1996, “deacon” was the provisional status for individuals seeking ordination in The UMC. It is easy to see how the role of deacon might be confusing to some. 

However, The Book of Discipline does outline that deacons are called to justice and compassion work for “those on the margins of society.” This makes sense, given that the Greek word for deacon, “diakonia,” means “to serve.” The sash worn by deacons in The UMC is designed to reflect the towel Jesus used to wash the disciples’ feet when he modeled servant leadership to the church.

While both elders and deacons are called to serve, deacons, with their center of gravity at the threshold of the church, bridging the church and the world, often find themselves in appointments outside the church, where they are addressing the needs of those on the margins. Deacons often serve as nonprofit leaders, missionaries who act as compassion workers or evangelists, or hospital, prison, and military chaplains. 

When deacons are appointed full-time to the local church, they are often in discipleship roles that help the congregation to embody their faith in the community outside the walls of the church. Most often, deacons lead congregations in mission, outreach, and justice ministries, as well as teaching and other discipleship. 

Full-time local church appointments are rare for deacons, which often means they are bi-vocational, working in a ministry appointment that may be part-time, as well as part-time in a church. Regardless of whether a deacon is appointed to a local church or not, it is important that deacons have a home church or secondary appointment where they are connected to a local church. Deacons provide unique and important leadership in church communities.

In 2024, General Conference also gave deacons the authority to administer the sacraments “when contextually appropriate.” While there is still some debate on when it is or is not “contextually appropriate” for deacons to administer the sacraments, this was a significant adjustment to the ministry of deacons throughout The UMC, and has opened up opportunities to deacons throughout the connection. With this update to the discipline, the biggest difference between the two orders is that deacons are nonitinerant. This means a deacon generally must seek their own appointment, and submit it for approval by their bishop and appointive cabinet.This also means deacons must seek a new appointment when they discern a new call or their time at an appointment comes to an end. It is unusual for a bishop to ask a deacon to itinerate as they would an elder. Additionally, this means that deacons are not guaranteed an appointment, like elders. 

How to become a UMC Elder or Deacon

When it comes to becoming a United Methodist elder or deacon there are certain education and ordination requirements you’ll need to complete. 

Degree Options: Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry  

Elders and deacons have different educational requirements for ordination.

Elders must earn a Master of Divinity, which is a three-year program designed to prepare students for pastoral ministry. This is considered the gold standard of ministry degrees across many denominations.

Many deacons choose to earn a Master of Divinity, as well, since it contains all the requirements for both orders. Many deacons pursuing positions that are supplied by both orders choose to earn a Master of Divinity due to its competitive value in ecumenical spaces. 

However, deacons also have two other educational pathways to ordination. Many deacon candidates earn a two-year Master of Arts in Ministry degree, which meets the minimum requirements for deacons and offers elective opportunities that may pertain more to their calling. 

A second option, for deacons pursuing roles outside the church who have a master’s degree in that field, candidates are only required to add 27 hours of master’s-level theological study hours to fulfill the education requirements for ordination. 

Deacons and elders in the UMC must earn master’s degrees at a seminary approved by The UMC. The easiest route is to attend a United Methodist seminary, such as Perkins School of Theology, which curates classes specifically with UMC ordination requirements in mind. 

Although there are many other approved seminaries to choose from, be aware that not all seminaries will offer the three required, Methodist-specific courses: Methodist history, polity and doctrine. If you choose a non-United Methodist school you’ll have to acquire those nine credit hours through United Methodist seminaries, in addition to your degree. 

If you’d like to learn more about the specifics of earning an M.Div. or M.A.M. degree, check out our page on Becoming a Seminary Student. 

Ordination Requirements

The process of ordination often begins in conjunction with attending seminary. While you’re attending school, you will begin the process of Candidacy, the pathway to becoming an ordained elder or deacon in The UMC. 

The certification process for candidates is outlined in ¶¶310 of The Book of Discipline. Note that this is not the full process for ordination, and each Annual Conference has its own nuances. After paragraph 310, the process splits depending on which order you seek ordination in. Those seeking “provisional membership” as an elder will find the remaining steps outlined in ¶¶324. Those seeking ordination as a deacon can find their remaining steps under ¶¶335.  

Reading the steps straight from The Book of Discipline can be tedious. Check out Resource UMC’s pages on Ordination: Becoming an Elder or Steps to Become an Ordained Deacon. 

The pathways to ordination (and other forms of formal church leadership) are also summarized step by step in this General Board of Higher Education & Ministry PDF (refer to ¶¶310,  ¶¶324, and ¶¶335).

Don’t worry if you’re confused about the process. Just take the first step. Notify your local pastor and your district superintendent that you’re interested in pursuing ordination, and they will guide you through the process.

Called to Ministry: Should I become an Elder or a Deacon?

Even after you know the difference between the two, choosing between becoming an elder or a deacon can be difficult. It’s easy if you’ve been called to something decidedly marked by the traits of one or the other. But if you haven’t discerned a particular vocational call, it can be hard to determine which one is right for you. 

One way to determine which order you’re called to is to compare and contrast the two. 

There’s a lot of overlap between elders and deacons. However, for most, the question of whether to become a deacon or elder boils down to feeling called primarily to compassion and justice work in the world (deacon) or if you feel called to lead congregations in administrative and preaching roles (elder). It is important to ask yourself, “where do you feel your center of gravity? At the pulpit, Table, and font? Or at the threshold of the church?”

Often, you’ll discover God is already preparing you for one role or the other. Being prepared for elder or deacon can be marked by different gifts and graces. 

The UMC outlines 20 spiritual gifts on their page Exploring Spiritual Gifts. Consider which ones you embody, or take their quiz. Some of them fall more under the category of elder, and others fall under the category of deacon. Consider which spiritual gifts you have that may help you if you take on the role of elder or deacon. 

If you need further help discerning whether you’re called to ordination as an elder or deacon read our page: Am I Being Called to Ministry. Many of the discernment practices outlined there are as applicable to discerning a clerical order as they are to discerning a call to ministry in general. 

Although focusing on the differences between elder and deacon helps many people decide which order they should pursue, for others it’s still a difficult decision. If you get stuck in your decision, it’s important to keep these two things in mind: 

• You don't have to decide in a vacuum. In fact, you shouldn’t! Talk to people who are already ordained about their experience and ask for advice. Be sure to contact people in the vocational role you’re pursuing. The UMC believes in the power of Holy Conferencing– you should participate in this act while you discern your call!
• Trust the Holy Spirit. God calls some people to vocations that can fall under either role. If you’ve been wrestling with which track you should follow for many months or years, just start on a path,. and know that God can and will use your ministry, regardless of which path you take. 

Knowing the difference between the two can clarify which one will help you fulfill your call and define which pathway to ordination you will take, but ultimately the choice between elder or deacon is between you and God. May God bless you on your journey to ordination and in your role as a minister. 

Start Your Journey to Becoming a United Methodist Elder or Deacon at Perkins

Perkins School of Theology is training the next generation of diverse leadership in the world. Whether you want to feel called to be a deacon or elder, earn your credentials with Perkins. Classes are taught by Perkins’ world-renowned faculty who boast diversity in theological and denominational thought. 

Give yourself the best education United Methodism has to offer by applying to today so that you can serve the world tomorrow.