Deaconess

Concordia's Deaconess program prepares women with a wide variety of talents and interests to serve the Church in a professional capacity. It is the only undergraduate program of its kind sponsored by The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS).

The foundation for deaconess work is found in the New Testament (Acts 6:1-6; Romans 16:1-2; I Timothy 3:11). Deaconesses are noteworthy in Church history for their witness and service in the early Christian church, through the nineteenth century, and to the present.

The word "deaconess" means servant. A deaconess provides diaconal care, with special emphasis in mercy, spiritual care and teaching the faith. Diaconal care is merciful and compassionate, done among "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40), compelled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14).

There are three settings for deaconess service: institution, congregation, and mission field. Institutions served by deaconesses include prisons, hospitals, homes for the mentally retarded, Lutheran social service agencies, nursing homes, and LCMS districts with older adults and the deaf. About half of deaconesses serve in congregations. Missionary deaconesses serve in home and foreign mission fields. Deaconess ministry is as multi-faceted, serving a great variety of needs.

Deaconess students take special courses in deaconess work, counseling, grief, education and leadership. A theology major is required. Students choose a minor in an area complementary to deaconess service such as psychology, social work, biblical languages or music.  Field work is done during junior and senior years. The fifth year of the program is a full time internship in a congregation or agency.  Upon successful completion and approval, the student graduates with a Bachelor of Arts and receives deaconess certification in the LCMS.

For more information about v's deaconess program, please click here, or contact program director Deaconess Jennie Waters.