This article investigates the meaning of the diakon word group in the Bible with the focus on the use of this word group in the Gospel of John. John 12:26 is considered in depth. The results of this investigation reveal important differences from other recent research on this word group. The results of the research are then applied to the ministry in congregations.

Reflection on diaconal service in relation to Acts 6:1-7 Acts 6 is traditionally considered as the description of the origin of the special service of deaconship. The essence and duty of diaconal service is inferred from Acts 6:1-7; it is the service responsible for the care of the poor and promotion of mutual support and love in the church. This article re-examines Acts 6. It investigates whether this text truly describes diaconal service and what it conveys about the content and essence of the seven’s service. This study shows that Acts 6 does not describe the institution of a special service (office) and that the content and essence of the special diaconal service cannot be derived from this text. Acts 6:1-7 is a description of the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit within the church, related to the difficulties that arise with service (διακονία) due to rapid growth.

How to cite this article: Breed, G., 2012, 'Nuut gedink oor die wese en inhoud van die dienswerk van die diaken', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 68(1), Art. #1059, 8 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ hts.v68i1.1059 Nuut gedink oor die wese en inhoud van die dienswerk van die diakenThe essence and content of a deacon's service revisited. In many congregations, there is great uncertainty about the precise duty of the deacon within the congregation. Nowhere in the Bible is the essence and content of a deacon's service clearly spelled out. The suitability of the Scriptural passages that are often referred to to determine the essence and content of a deacon's work is widely questioned. Through the ages and in various traditions, the deacon has been entrusted with a wide variety of duties. All of the above necessitates a revisitation of the essence and content of the deacon's service. This article aims to extract the applicable aspects of the latest research on the diakon word group and apply its meaning to the work of the deacon within the overall ministry of the congregation. In order to achieve this objective, the applicable findings within research, conducted over the last 20 years, on the diakon word group is provided. Then the traditional Biblical substantiation of the essence and content of the deacon's service is critically reviewed. In conclusion, recommendations are made concerning the meaning of the latest research on the diakon word group for the deacon's service within the overall ministry of the congregation.Die volgende bevindinge van die nuutste navorsing is ter sake vir hierdie artikel. Die diakon-woordgroep het in die Nuwe Testament nie slegs een kernbetekenis nieUit resente navorsing is dit duidelik dat die betekenis van die diakon-woordgroep nie tot een kernbetekenis (soos barmhartigheidsdiens) beperk kan word nie.

This article seeks to contribute to the process of reconciliation in South Africa. This is achieved by firstly exploring the meaning of ubuntu as a common culture or religion under a large percentage of South Africa’s people over the borders of language and other cultural values. In the second part of the article two concepts that play a major role in Christianity are explored, namely koinonia and diakonia. Again a large percentage of South Africans believe that the Bible is the Word of God in which the right way of living is described. A comparison is made between the core values of ubuntu and the way of living that emerges from the use of the two concepts of koinonia and diakonia in the New Testament. A way that can contribute to reconciliation is suggested from this comparison.

How to cite this article:Breed, G., 2012, ''n Begronde bedieningsmodel vir die diakonia van At first, various angles of approach to the research on ministry in congregations, is described. To accomplish this, recent literature was examined. Secondly, the points of departure in the research are stated. Thirdly, the process that the congregation followed to develop the model is described. In the fourth place, the results of the previous research on which the model is based, are summed up. Lastly, the most important aspects of the model for ministry in the congregation are described.