Is This for Me? The Church Shares Serving in a congregation, institution, RSO or mission field of the church is both challenging and satisfying. If Jesus’ Heart you are a Christian woman eager to learn more about God’s Word and wondering how you might best use for Mercy Considering your life in service to the Lord and His Church … DEACONESS SERVICE … Consider the gifts, talents and skills that God has Christ, our Lord, is the physical embodiment of given you mercy, and His Church always strives to share His love with the world. Jesus, who gives new and … Talk to your family and pastor about the deaconess eternal life, also cares for the bodily needs of the vocation poor, hungry and sick. The church, therefore, … Pray for God’s guidance as you consider your options brings Christ’s Word and Sacraments into the world and, wherever possible, serves those with bodily need. Feel free to contact any of the following directors of LCMS deaconess-training programs for more Deaconesses serve through acts of mercy, spiritual information: care and teaching the faith, primarily to women and Deaconess Kristin Wassilak children. This diaconal ministry of mercy supports Concordia University Chicago and compliments the pastoral office ministry of 708-209-3136 • [email protected] Word and Sacraments. Every LCMS deaconess is taught to point continually to Christ and the church, Deaconess Gillian Bond where our eternal needs are met through God’s Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Word and Sacraments. 314-505-7114 • [email protected] Rev. Dr. James G. Bushur Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne 260-452-3214 • [email protected] “But because He is God, He also Deaconess Amy Rast claims the honor of giving much more Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne and more abundantly than anyone can Living the Compassion of Christ 260-452-2225 • [email protected] understand.” (LC III: 56) Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez “… that we may be able to comfort those who Center for Hispanic Studies are in any affliction, with the comfort with 314-863-2772 • [email protected] which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:4 ESV)
Complimentary fact sheets and brochures about deaconess service can be downloaded from the LCMS website at lcms.org/deaconess. You may also contact Deaconess Grace Rao, director, LCMS Deaconess Ministry, at [email protected].
© 2017 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod What Preparing for a Ministry of Mercy Online Master of Arts in Religion with deaconess Deaconesses are church workers who wish to serve their certification is a Deaconess? Lord by caring for the spiritual, physical, emotional and LCMS Deaconess Colloquy Program Women employed in the deaconess vocation have been intellectual needs of others. The Lutheran Church—Mis- trained, called and commissioned by The Lutheran souri Synod provides several avenues of preparation for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Church—Missouri Synod to serve Christ and His church this vocation. Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies through works of mercy, spiritual care and teaching In 1980, the LCMS established its own deaconess-training Master of Arts with deaconess certification the faith. program at Concordia University Chicago, River For- Duel degree: Master of Arts in Social Work and est, Ill. Additional deaconess programs were added at Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies In Romans 16:1, St. Paul wrote, “I commend to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2002 and Concordia Deaf Institute of Theology specialized deaconess you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 2003. The Synod’s course in Cenchrea” (RSV). Deaf Institute of Theology, Center for Hispanic Studies and Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology also offer Center for Hispanic Studies specialized deaconess specialized courses for deaconess certification under the course The modern use of deaconesses emerged in the German auspices of Concordia Seminary. Lutheran Church in the 1830s and was embraced by North Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology specialized American Lutherans during the late 19th and early 20th deaconess course centuries. Since 1922, LCMS congregations, missions, LCMS Deaconess-Training Programs Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne institutions and Recognized Service Organizations have Concordia University Chicago Master of Arts leading to deaconess certification engaged deaconesses in a variety of diaconal ministries. In Undergraduate degree program (major in theology) whatever capacity she serves, the LCMS deaconess brings Distance/online Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies Deaconess Certification Program (without degree) her theological training to bear, endeavoring to spread Christ’s love and mercy for both body and soul. Master of Arts in Religion with deaconess certification
Deaconesses Often Work in Three Settings
1 Congregations 3 Institutions or Recognized Service Visiting the sick or immobile Organizations Teaching or assisting in parochial schools, in Grief support and assistance childcare centers, with elder care or with other Older adult ministry community educational programs Family life ministry Chaplaincy care in prisons, hospitals, convalescent Children, youth or women’s ministry homes or hospice Bilingual and immigration ministry Meal assistance, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters or safe houses Music ministry Service in homes or institutions for people with Volunteer coordination physical or mental needs 2 Domestic or foreign missions Service in pregnancy centers or maternity or family assistance centers Bilingual outreach Service in other charitable institutions, projects, Mercy outreach and programs designed for specific groups (e.g., Children or women’s ministry the homeless, grieving, terminally ill, recovering addicts, mentally ill)