The joy of being a deacon in the Church of Sweden
At the Priests and Deacons Conference in our link diocese in Växjö, one theme came through clearly: the diaconate is a distinctive and valued ministry in the Church of Sweden. Deacons play a central role in mission and ministry, often working at the meeting point between church and community, faith and everyday life.
The Revd Maria Jukes, chair of the diocesan link, met with people at the conference to share what they most value about being a deacon.
Walking alongside others
For many, being a deacon means accompanying people through the realities of life. Marie Nilson said:
“What I love about being deacon is the meeting with all wonderful people in all different situations that are struggling in their lives and that they are celebrating the Lord with me. To be a guide in life, to show the way, to take someone's hand and walk beside the person for a while, to be the witness of Christ in people's lives. I love being a deacon. It's the best job in the world. And yes, I feel blessed to be a deacon!”
Julian Renhorn echoed that same sense of companionship:
“What I really love about being a deacon is to share life with the people I meet and to make normal life visible in service and in the Church.”
Serving God and neighbour
The calling of a deacon is both spiritual and practical - rooted in worship, but expressed in care for others. Maria Sidenvall-Lind said:
“What I love the most about being a deacon is that I can serve both God and the people in my parish and the people who are in Christ.”
Her words reflect a ministry that connects devotion to God with loving service to neighbour.
Helping people find strength
Anna Ekelund spoke about the privilege of seeing people grow and flourish:
"What I love most about being a deacon is that I go with people and see them grow and become a better person or find their power in their own life.”
She also highlighted the distinctive identity of the Swedish diaconate: “Being a distinctive deacon is that I have chosen this. This is what I work with and this is what I build my profession around, my calling around, and I'm getting better and better and I'm not on my way to anything else, I'm just doing this.”
Meeting people where they are
For Dan Ahlvin, diaconal ministry extends far beyond church walls.
“What I love the most about being a deacon is sharing people's life. I've discovered that a lot of people live in solitude, live alone, no one to share their inner thoughts, their inner longings with.”
He continued: “I don't see church as a special group of people. It's all people around the world... I like to be outside meeting people in society, in their homes and share the love of God.”
A ministry the Church treasures
These conversations revealed a ministry marked by presence, compassion and commitment. In the Church of Sweden, deacons are not simply passing through on the way to something else. For many, this is a lifelong vocation: to serve Christ by serving others, and to walk with people through all the joys and challenges of life.