Editing Deacon (section)

=== Other Presbyterian churches ===
One of [[John Calvin]]'s legacies was to restore the diaconate as a servant ministry.<ref>{{cite web |last=Apple |first=David S. |date=2005 |title=The Role of the Deaco |url=http://old.tenth.org/fileadmin/files_for_download/ACTS_articles/Role_of_the_Deacon.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132304/http://old.tenth.org/fileadmin/files_for_download/ACTS_articles/Role_of_the_Deacon.pdf |archive-date=2014-04-13 |access-date=2013-10-23}}</ref> Individual congregations of the various [[Presbyterian]] denominations, such as the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], [[Presbyterian Church in America]] and [[Orthodox Presbyterian Church]], also elect deacons, along with [[Elder (Christianity)|elder]]s. However, in some churches the property-functions of the diaconate and session of elders is commended to an independent board of [[trustee]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcaac.org/resources/bco/|title=Book of Church Order (BCO) |publisher=Presbyterian Church in America: Administrative Committee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007192253/http://www.pcaac.org/resources/bco/|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref>

==== Dutch Reformed churches ====
In many Dutch Reformed churches deacons are charged with ministries of mercy. As such, the deacons are also members of the local church council. A special feature of the Dutch Reformed churches is the fact that the diaconate of each local church is its own legal entity with its own financial means, separated from the church itself, and governed by the deacons.

====Uniting Church in Australia====
In the [[Uniting Church in Australia]], the diaconate is one of two offices of ordained ministry. The other is Minister of the Word.

Deacons in the Uniting Church are called to minister to those on the fringes of the church and be involved in ministry in the community. Deacons offer leadership in a ministry of service to the world. The primary focus of the ministry of deacons is on care and compassion for the poor and oppressed and in seeking social justice for all people. They take both an active role in leadership in such actions themselves, but are also play a key role in encouraging other Uniting Church members in similar action.

Some examples of service that deacons may take include: prison chaplaincy, acting as youth or community workers, in community service agencies, in schools and hospitals, or in mission placements in Australia or overseas. Although the primary responsibility for worship in congregations lies with the Ministers of the Word, deacons have a liturgical role appropriate to their distinctive ministry, including ministries where their main leadership is within a congregation.

In the Uniting Church both ministers of the word and deacons are styled ''The Reverend''.

The [[Uniting Church]] has recognised deacons since union, but it was not until the 6th Assembly in 1991 that the Uniting Church began ordaining deacons. This was partly because the historical, theological and sociological roles of deaconesses and deacons was being widely discussed in Churches throughout the world at the time that the Basis of Union was being drafted <ref>McCaughey, J. D. ''Commentary on the Basis of Union'', Uniting Church Press: Melbourne, 1980.</ref>