"Francis Young's meticulous scholarship and expert grasp of his subject make 'Inferior Office?' a valuable missing piece for understanding how ministry in the Church of England has developed since the Reformation. It is original, beautifully written, and compelling in its proposals for the role a permanent diaconate might play in the twenty-first century church."
-Bridget Nichols, Lay Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely

"Dr Young's book is a welcome antidote to the generally impoverished view of the diaconate that has prevailed in the Church of England in recent years. It is a timely and significant contribution to the Church of England's understanding of the order of deacons within her threefold ministry, and will be a valuable and informative tool for those charged with the restructuring of the allocation of church resources in the 21st century."
-Dr Serenhedd James, Hon Research Fellow of St Stephen's House, Oxford

"This is a thought-provoking book for all clergy who are intentional about the ongoing debate of the value of the distinctive Diaconate and of the ministry it can offer to the wider church."
-Reverend Mandy Herriman, The Messenger, August 2015

"Young's Scholarship adds much to our understanding of the diaconate within the threefold ministry in the Church of England."
-Stephen Platten, Theology 119 (2), March-April 2016

"Young's book leaves the reader much better informed about the history and purpose of the diaconate..."
-John Darch, Anvil, Vol. 32 Iss. 1, November 2016

"Francis Young stands clearly on the side of his deacons and is to be congratulated for producing such a handy, concise account of this neglected branch of the ministry - a branch that many think the Church has yet to fully exploit."
-Andrew Foster, British Catholic History, 2016