Diakonía * Go(d)-Between * Meaning-wards
The Drama of Diakonía
“Drawing on the scholarship of John N. Collins and some of the leading thinkers in the field, I would like to challenge the consensus by exploring whether the Greek experience of diakonía originally had something to do with charitable social work. I propose the argument that diakonía instead refers to spiritual experiences of “a go-between,” echoing Plato’s “in-between” of the metaxy. This type of spirituality of divine-human activity, of seeking and searching (zetesis), can arguably be best described as a mediation of meaning. It is carried out by order or on behalf of another (human) person and/or (divine) Person(s). For Collins, a deacon (or more universal) the person is debatably not merely a ‘humble servant’ or ‘assistant’ but rather something like a “messenger,” “a-go-betweener,” or “prophetic intermediary” in the existential and divine-human quest for meaning. Taking up Collins argument, I would like to advance this type of agency in terms of the go-between: that is, with a spirituality of meaning, of leadership and teaching, of communication between people, and interaction between communities, churches, and the world.”
— MEINS G.S. COETSIER (Trinity College Dublin, 2022)
See John N. Collins, Diakonia: Re-interpreting the Ancient Sources (New York, NY and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009 [1990]). Dieter Georgi, The Opponents of Paul in Second Corinthians: A Study on Religious Propaganda in Late Antiquity (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986). Bart J. Koet, Edwina Murphy, Esko Ryokas, eds, Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity: The First Two Centuries. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 2. Reihe (Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 2018).
Diakonía-Aktion in Fulda – „Eine Million Sterne“ als Zeichen der Solidarität
Spiritualität in Bewegung: *Go-Betweeners* Diakone erklimmen den Kreuzberg
Ökumenischer Gottesdienst am 2024 „Tag der Deutschen Einheit“ auf Point Alpha
Pastoral Care and Arts in Care Homes
* Diakonía and the Spiritual Search for Wisdom * Music, creativity and cultural participation in old people homes *
Wisdom in old age (Weisheit im Alter)
Diaconal project: Wisdom as protection against loneliness:
In a world where loneliness often goes unnoticed and quietly creeps into the hearts of many people, we are committed to a society-wide and church-wide initiative to counteract this silent need. We are convinced that wisdom, especially in pastoral care, plays a central role in developing compassion and understanding for the lonely among us. Our experience in pastoral care for the elderly shows us that loneliness is a widespread but often underestimated challenge that affects our society more than we would like to admit. Humanity and faith are needed!
** Musikprojekt ** Elvis im Altenheim
The purpose of Dr. Coetsier's work on diakonía is to explore, among other fields, a new angle on pastoral ministry in senior communities, using music as a tool, grounded in practical theology.
The use of music, poetry, and the arts as tools for ministry and pastoral care has been shown to be effective in breaking down social barriers, fostering meaningful engagement, and facilitating spiritual development among older residents. By exploring the theological and spiritual implications of integrating popular music, such as Elvis Presley’s gospel music, into pastoral ministry in various German nursing and retirement homes, we have witnessed the transformative power of music in enhancing the well-being and spiritual growth of the elderly. The combination of music and ministry has been found to inspire, uplift, comfort and invigorate residents, ultimately contributing to the overall spiritual and emotional enrichment of community living in old age.
Diakonía * Free * Dynamic * Open Air
Prison Ministry * Empowerment * Stärkung
* Diaconal Music Project * Divine Concern
Searching Music
DIVINE CONCERN is a German Diaconal Music Project
In 2017, Deacon Dr. Meins G.S. Coetsier (Vocals and Guitar) and Mr. Addi Haas (Piano/Accordion/Drums/Percussion) met each other before the gates of Fulda Prison in Germany. In 2019 Mr. Tilo Zschorn (Guitar) joined the band. Inspired by Johnny Cash, Elvis, and others, they have played music in churches, communities and prisons, empowering people, and supporting all forms of creativity, art and music at the margins of society. For their latest albums, they worked closely together with featuring artists Joanna Joans (Vocals) and Mario Fritsch (Saxophone; Piano).
Searching for contemporary forms of religiosity, spirituality and art, they make a Sound for You.
