The permanent order of deacon is proposed in the United Methodist Church. The following are suggestions for governing representative ministry so it can be structured to enliven and renew the life of United Methodism: (1) any view of diaconal and other representative ministries must be seen in relation to the general ministry of all Christians; (2) the calling of diaconal ministries (deacons) is essentially an enabling ministry for the larger body of Christians; (3) the order of deacon is an appropriate designation for the twentieth century; (4) ordination is historically a more accurate word to designate ministers who are set apart for service than is the word consecration; (5) annual conference membership for permanent deacons, without a guaranteed appointment and apart from the itinerancy, is not as radical a departure from the present situation as it may initially seem to be; (6) for permanent deacons to be ordained and admitted to annual conference membership, educational requirements should be equivalent to those for ordination as elder; (7) ordination and conference membership for permanent deacons should be based on the same conditions in other areas as those which prevail for the eldership, including the intention of engaging in the full-time diaconate on a permanent basis. It is argued that ordination as a permanent deacon and admission to the annual conference are to be taken fully as seriously and to be handled with as much care as ordination to the order of elder. The provision for this process is in the 1980 Book of Discipline. (CC)