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How can I become a deaconess?
Picture yourself here
| Contact: | Deaconess
Diane Marten, Director of Education/Formation Lutheran Deaconess Association 1304 LaPorte Ave Valparaiso IN 46383 219-464-6925 E-mail: Diane.Marten@valpo.edu |
Design for Education and Formation!
If you're looking for application forms, click here.
Next orientation:
New students: AUG. 15-22, 2008 (Application/interview deadline: May
1, 2008)
Returning students: AUG. 13-19, 2008
New students: FEB. 27 - MAR. 6, 2009 (application/interview deadline:
Nov. 1, 2008)
Returning students: Feb. 25 - Mar. 3, 2009
Future orientation dates:
New students: FEB. 27 - MAR. 6, 2009 (Application/interview deadline:
Oct. 1, 2008)
Returning students: FEB. 25 - MAR. 4, 2009
New students: AUG. 14-21, 2009 (Application/interview deadline: May 1,
2009)
Returning students: AUG. 12-19, 2009
Distance learning
is possible for all students!
Look at three phases of the process.
Phase I: Discernment and Application
Got passion? Do you want to make a difference to a world God so much loves? Are you ready for service to Christ, church and society? Got a yearning to be part of a praying and serving community? Check this out! |
A deaconess is a Lutheran woman, formed in community, educated in Lutheran theology, consecrated to serve people in church and society.
A decision about entering the LDA diaconate is more than choosing a career. It’s an identity that supports a life-perspective of Christian service – a vocation. There are many ways to serve and many gifts for service. This diaconate is one of many vehicles to bring love and joy to a world in need of God’s healing touch.
Discernment is a process that may help you with questions like:
- Is God calling me to serve those in need?
- Is this deaconess community the right place for me to express my calling?
- What do I need to know in order to make a decision?
1. Ask for a Discernment Guide from the LDA. (Contact Director of Education/Formation.)
- Get to know some deaconesses in your area.
- Pray and talk with others about your sense of calling.
- Identify a deaconess to “sponsor” you. (Sponsors can respond to some of your questions, help in your discernment, and guide you through the application process.)
2. Complete the application materials (“How do I apply?”)
3. Schedule an interview with the LDA. (Contact Director of Education/Formation.)
| About deaconess SPONSORS As you consider applying to the LDA, we hope you will become familiar with the work of Lutheran deaconesses by getting to know some deaconesses in your area. Any deaconess may be your sponsor if she agrees. Your sponsor might assist in your discernment process and may provide a reference for your admission portfolio. Sponsor responsibilities
The “sponsor” is not the same as a “mentor.” The sponsor helps you apply for admission. But if you are accepted as a student, the LDA will assign a deaconess to be your mentor during your education/formation. Sponsor and mentor are different roles; it is unlikely that your sponsor will also be assigned as your mentor. |
Phase II: Education/Formation
Formation
involves growth in Spiritual Life – Diaconal Community – Work/Ministry - Theology |
The LDA offers a flexible education/formation process, which allows you to complete the process at your own pace through an individualized plan, designed to meet your particular growth needs. The distance-learning option is available to all students.
The minimum time in this phase is two years, but many students take three years or more.
- Annual week-long formation seminars – each year while you are a student.
- Individualized Formation Covenant – describes the particular coursework and experiences you will complete during your process.
- Academic study, including several university-level theology courses.
- Relationship with a deaconess mentor.
- Supervised field work (100 hours) AND one year in a paid internship.
- One unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) or equivalent.
- Active participation in deaconess area conference.
- Personal growth – work with a counselor or spiritual director.
- Deepening of your spiritual life.
- Development of a professional portfolio of your study and experience.
Phase III: Completion of education/formation process
Take time to integrate |
- Complete a final professional portfolio of coursework, ministry experience, reflection papers and projects.
- Attend a final retreat.
Upon
the completion of the education/formation process, the student is
eligible to meet with the LDA’s Deaconess Services and Renewal
Committee, which may recommend the candidate to the LDA Board of
Directors for consecration. The LDA Board approves candidates for
consecration as deaconesses of the Lutheran Deaconess Association.
The consecration service marks the formal entry into the diaconate and often takes place in the student’s home congregation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LDA’s
approach to education and formation?
The LDA offers an education/formation process that is flexible, allowing
students to complete the process at their own pace. Students work with
the LDA staff to develop an individualized formation covenant (IFC) to
determine their particular growth needs. The distance-learning option
is available to all students, which means that students may complete their
academic work near their own homes.
What is involved in
the formation process?
The formation process involves week-long seminars at the Center for Diaconal
Ministry in Valparaiso, IN, each year during formation. Students are assigned
to a deaconess mentor throughout formation for support and guidance. They
are also required to attend annual conferences
of this community, held in various locations around the country. Formation
includes self-reflection and experiences that help students grow in their
deaconess identity and service.
What is involved in
the education process?
Students complete several college/university or seminary courses in theology
and diaconal ministry. We require that students have a good understanding
of Biblical studies such as Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures), New Testament,
Church History, World Religions, Lutheran Doctrine/Lutheran Confessions,
and Theology of Diaconal Ministry. Other courses might be added to increase
skill in broader ministry areas.
Some students work toward a degree in a service-oriented profession, adding
theology to their coursework, while others major in theology at the BA
or MA level. Some students come to the education/formation process with
a completed academic degree, adding only those additional courses required
by their individualized plan.
The education process does not require a particular “major,” although we encourage most students to complete at least a BA degree.
Where do students take
courses?
Many students choose to attend Valparaiso University for a BA or MA degree.
However, students may complete the theological requirements at a college,
university or seminary near their homes. Some courses must be offered
by Lutheran providers. A few courses might be completed through on-line
learning, but we encourage study that offers dialog and feedback in a
face-to-face setting.
How long does the education/formation process take?
The education and formation process takes a minimum of two years, and
many students take three years or longer. The length of this process depends
on the experience the student brings and her particular program as she
prepares for service.
What kinds of jobs
do deaconesses do?
Deaconess ministry has taken various forms, and those forms have changed
as the church and society changes. The education and formation process
sometimes changes students' perspective about the kinds of ministry available,
and they may discover new paths for themselves as the process unfolds.
Deaconesses provide leadership within the church to help the whole church
become more diaconal.
Take a look at “Faces and Place of Ministry”
to discover some of the ministries deaconesses do. Deaconesses are women
like:
- Barb, who works in a parish, leading programs of Christian Education for children, youth, and families.
- Jean, who is a social worker, directing a food program for a Lutheran service agency.
- Cheryl, who is a hospital chaplain, praying with children before they go into surgery.
- Bettye, who serves a Hospice agency as a spiritual care director.
- Ann, who is a full-time mother and a part-time spiritual director in her congregation.
- Rhoda, who teaches courses in theology at a Lutheran college.
- Judy, who is an assistant to the bishop in an ELCA synod office.
- Sally, who is a Mission and Ministry Executive for a District of the LCMS.
- Jan, who directs the music for her congregation.
- Donna, who serves in campus ministry at a university.
- Erma, who continues serving senior citizens in her retirement.
- Katie, a nurse, who uses her medical skill in parish work.
Do I have to be Lutheran?
Yes. The ministry of this diaconate is rooted, formed, and lived out in
the context of the Lutheran faith. Applicants must be members of a Lutheran
church, participating regularly in worship, study of the Holy Scripture,
prayer and faithful use of the means of grace. We accept applicants who
belong to many Lutheran denominations, including LCMS, ELCA, and Lutheran
Church bodies in Canada.
Are LDA deaconesses automatically rostered?
The Lutheran Deaconess Association consecrates and approves deaconesses
for service. Some LDA deaconesses complete additional requirements to
become rostered in the ELCA, LCMS, and
Lutherans church bodies in Canada.
Applicants who are considering candidacy in a Lutheran church body may
wish to talk to the LDA to coordinate the education/ formation process
with other requirements.
Visit your church body’s website to find out about other programs.
(Link to ELCA -- http://www.elca.org/leaders.html)
(Link to LCMS -- http://www.lcms.org)
(Link to ELCIC -- http://www.elcic.ca/)
(Link to Lutheran Church in Canada -- http://www.lutheranchurch-canada.ca/lutheran.html
)
How much does the education/formation
process cost?
The LDA’s education/formation process offers access to LDA staff,
deaconess mentors, and resource people. It will open many doors for you
and introduce you to new ideas. Our fees reflect these costs.
The basic fee is $5,000. In addition, there is an annual fee of $2,500
during each year you are in the education/formation process. Other costs
include application and interview expenses, travel and registration for
each annual formation event and annual deaconess conference, and tuition
for your coursework.
The LDA has been able to offer ½ of the basic fee and ½
of the annual fee to students with financial need.
The LDA wants to encourage students to complete the education and formation
process. Don’t let money be a barrier! Ask the
LDA for ideas about financial resources.
What financial resources
are available?
In addition to LDA scholarships, students who attend Valparaiso University
receive an automatic grant-in-aid of $500 per semester and most deaconess
students receive additional financial aid from VU. The LDA can help you
to explore other resources including:
- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (matching funds)
- Congregations
- LWML
- WELCA
- synods
- districts
- church-wide organizations.
When can I start?
We are now receiving applications for orientation/annual seminars.
Applications for Winter orientation seminar must be received by October
1.
Applications for Summer orientation seminar must be received by May 1.
Applicants must be at least 20 years old OR entering their junior year
in college.
The LDA offers orientation seminars twice each year, if there is sufficient
interest. Orientations are generally held in mid-August and early March.
See top of page or contact the LDA for specific dates.
You may begin your application portfolio at any time. Ask the LDA to begin a folder for your materials 6 months before the deadline.
How do I apply?
The application portfolio includes all of the following:
- Application form: Personal data, reflection questions, self-care history
- References: Pastor, Congregation, two people who know you well, deaconess sponsor
- Vocational and Psychological testing: See psychological
testing document: (pdf)
(Word).
These tests are similar to those required for ELCA candidacy. If you have recently completed them, you do not have to repeat – just give permission to send the report to the LDA. And, if you are considering becoming rostered in the ELCA (Associate in Ministry or Diaconal Minister), this might be a good time to begin the candidacy process. You can work concurrently on requirements for the LDA and rostered ministry, and we are able to coordinate plans on your behalf. - Application Portfolio: Send your materials to the LDA’s Director of Education/Formation. We prefer to have as much information as possible sent by e-mail.
- Application fee and student fees: (pdf) (Word)
- Interview at the Center for Diaconal Ministry: When
your portfolio has been reviewed and approved, the LDA will contact
you about the next step.
Application Forms
Forms are available in Word or PDF format (below). Or you may contact the Director of Education/Formation to request copies by mail. If you fill out the forms in Word, you may save them to your computer and then email them to the Director of Education/Formation.
Please note that the pdf files
require Adobe Acrobat to read. Click
here to download the freely available Adobe Acrobat reader.
Forms:
- Directions for application (html)
- Application (pdf) (Word)
- Reference from Congregation (pdf) (Word)
- Reference from Pastor (pdf) (Word)
- Reference from someone who knows you well (pdf) (Word)
- Reference from deaconess (pdf) (Word)
- Application fee (pdf) (Word)
Other information for those who are ready to apply: Contact the Director of Education/Formation for these resources:
- Discernment Guide (includes Scripture and prayer ideas to help you determine your calling).
- Rostered ministry in the ELCA and being a deaconess with the LDA (information page).
- Rostered ministry in the LCMS and being a deaconess with the LDA (information page).
- FUN-DRAISING (a resource guide).
- Vocational and Psychological testing information page: (pdf) (Word). We can also help you find a qualified psychologist in your area.