The garb, or uniform, has been a part of deaconess identity since the mid-1800's. In a practical vein, the uniform enables hospital staff and patients to instantly recognize one who provides care that is distinctly spiritual and Christian. In the parish, visitors and members easily identify the person in the uniform.

With a cross on her shoulder and a cross pin over her heart, the uniform visually reminds a deaconess of her identity and purpose. It reminds her that the Lord has chosen her for service; she has not chosen Him or the work. A uniform also covers her person and helps people to recognize it is really Christ who is caring for them.

The uniform is not required. Some deaconesses wear their uniform every day; some wear it once a week. Certain deaconesses, such as those in prison ministry, may not wear the garb because a uniform may symbolize oppressive authority and block the way for the Gospel.

The uniform of the Concordia Deaconess Conference (see more below) consists of a navy blue business suit with a white blouse or a navy blue business dress along with the insignia and cross pin. White is a reminder of the towel Christ used to wash his disciples feet. The gold cross is for consecrated and commissioned deaconesses. Students wear a light blue insignia.

What is my want?
My want is to serve.

Whom do I want to serve?
The Lord in His suffering ones and His poor.

And what is my reward?
I serve neither for reward nor thanks, but out of gratitude and love;
My reward is that I am permitted to serve.

And if I perish in this service?
“If I perish, I perish” said Queen Esther.
I would perish for Him who gave Himself for me.
But He will not let me perish!

And if I grow old in this service?
Then shall my heart be renewed as a palm tree,
And the Lord shall satisfy me with grace and mercy.

I go my way in peace, casting all my care upon Him.

There are 172 Commissioned-Deaconesses on the LCMS Roster. Of those:
110 are Active
20 are on Candidate status
17 are on Non-Candidate status
25 are Emeritus

60 Serving Member Congregation
12 Recognized Service Organization
7 Chaplain-Institutional
7 Other Special Ministry
5 Synod College or Seminary Faculty
4 Professional Staff
4 Synod Executive Staff
3 Missionary-Synod
2 District Executive or Staff
1 District-Other Staff
1 Teacher
1 Missionary-Other
1 Principal

A D.C.E. is primarily a life-span educator. D.C.E.’s lead the educational programming and structure for a congregation.

A deaconess specializes in spiritual caregiving. She may lead programs in the area of caregiving and service to the community. A deaconess also gives special attention to issues faced by women. A deaconess teaches God’s Word, but she is not often the education coordinator for the congregation. There may be situations where the duties of the two offices look like they overlap. Some large congregations have a D.C.E. and a deaconess who have distinct responsibilities.

Half of deaconesses serve in institutions; D.C.E.’s usually serve congregations, with the exception of outdoor education.

It depends on the program in which one is enrolled and whether one can study full-time.

1. The Undergraduate program is a 5-year residential program that includes a 1-year internship.

2. The Deaconess Certification Program is designed for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Requirements vary according to the previous experience and educational background of the student. Most full-time certification students complete the academic requirements in 2 years and then complete a 1-year internship. Some students complete a portion of the requirements via distance learning, but it is not a distance learning program.

3. The Master of Arts in Religion with Deaconess Certification is generally completed in three years (2 years of academic classes and 1-year of internship) by students who already have a bachelor's degree with undergraduate work in Biblical studies and Christian doctrine.

4. The Deaconess Colloquy Program is designed for graduates of non-LCMS deaconess programs. Time required to complete the program varies according to the previous experience and educational background of the student.

No. Undergraduates may choose to transfer in to Concordia during their sophomore or junior year. However, there are a many benefits to coming to Concordia for the entire college education. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information on the application process, financial aid and transfer issues.

Deaconess Certification students can meet some requirements at a local LCMS institution. Deaconess courses can be obtained during summer intensive sessions.

Deaconess Certification or Deaconess Colloquy students who reside at CUC may combine the deaconess certification with a Master of Arts in Religion. For those who cannot relocate, an LCMS institution in their area can supply theological education. If one is distant from CUC or an LCMS institution, it can be challenging, but not necessarily impossible, to obtain the needed theology courses. Please contact us to talk about your particular situation.

Yes.

Chaplaincy positions in institutions have been open to deaconesses, other church workers, and laity for over 30 years. One goes through a process of Synodical endorsement to be an LCMS institutional chaplain. It is normally expected that the student must complete a rigorous master's degree in theology and four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Because the arena of institutional chaplaincy is fraught with many theological challenges, only those firmly grounded in Lutheran theology should even consider this path. Post-modernism and relativism combined with anti-Scriptural positions are the norm among chaplains from other denominations with whom the deaconess might work.

We stress that a deaconess in a chaplaincy setting serves as a complement to, not a substitute for, the pastoral office. The title of chaplain is sometimes used because it is the title the health care industry applies to those who are tending to religious aspects of patient care. For careful discernment and for more information, contact the Deaconess Program at Concordia, 708-771-8300 ext. 2136, or Specialized Pastoral Care at the LCMS International Center, 314-965-9000.

1. The LCMS educational system has three deaconess programs:

a. Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois has a program leading to a bachelor’s degree in theology, Deaconess Colloquy for women who have graduated from a non-LCMS deaconess program, and Deaconess Certification or a Master of Arts with Deaconess Certification for women who have their bachelor's degree in other fields of study.

b. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, have graduate level programs for deaconess certification. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, partners with The Hispanic Institute of Theology to provide deaconess certification for Spanish-speaking women.

2. The Lutheran Deaconess Association (LDA), Valparaiso, Indiana, has been training deaconesses since 1919. The LDA is not directly affiliated with a church body, but it has strong historic ties with the LCMS. Deaconesses trained through the LDA must complete the Concordia Univeristy Colloquy program to be rostered in the LCMS.

3. The Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is in Chicago, Illinois. The Deaconess Community has roots in the former church bodies that merged into the ELCA. They have been educating deaconesses since 1888.