Concordia TheoBLOGical Seminary

Over the last 9 months of my internship, I have fielded many a questions from prospective students about Deaconesses, our program, etc, and I thought it might be helpful to put some of the FAQ’s out there for any other women that might be wondering the same things.

1. What is a deaconess?

Check out this website for an elaborate answer:
http://www.ctsfw.edu/academics/deaconess/index.php
But simply put, a deaconess is a SERVANT of the Church. A threefold categorization of deaconesses’ duties are 1.Teaching the faith, 2. Spiritual care and 3. Acts of mercy.

2. How much do deaconesses make per year?

It depends on where you are placed and the cost of living scales. A typical salary for a deaconess can range from $25,000 to $45,000. This also could exclude housing that is provided or at least a housing allowance which is mandatory for all church workers.

3. What are the chances of me receiving an internship and placement after my deaconess studies?

Very good. Because we are all about forming competent, theologically trained servants in Christ for the church, the LCMS welcomes the office of deaconess and its biblical precedents as a very valuable and viable option for receiving church workers. Our seminary and synod are educating churches and institutions in the U.S. and throughout the world about Mercy and the special needs that deaconesses can fill in their midst. It is an exciting time for women to serve in this capacity. The way it works here at CTS is that once you are accepted, you meet with the Director and Associate Director of the deaconess program throughout your studies, and as they get to know you, you are able to express freely where you would like to serve and the talents that you have, so they can pair you up with a congregation or institution that would best be served by your gifts. The Deaconess Program team is committed to putting your talents and studies to good use in the LCMS.

4. What if I’m married, or, meet and marry a seminarian?

If you are already married, this is something to discuss with your husband if he is willing and able to relocate. We would strongly discourage men and women alike to force their spouses to move if they are not ready logistically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. If you are a deaconess student who meets a seminarian while here, and gets married (that’s my story, along with other deaconess students), Great! The logistics are the same for many spouses who are dually rostered in the LCMS (i.e., 2 Lutheran school teachers). It may take the placement supervisors a little more time, but it does not forgo the commitment that the seminary has in placing each deaconess and pastor.5. What is the seminary community like?

This question is hard, and can be subjective. Objectively, the seminary exists (as its mission statement plainly says) “to form servants in Jesus Christ to teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all.” It is a community that learns, eats, fellowships and confesses boldly together, Jesus Christ crucified. It is a unique place, that shares the many treasures of our Lutheran doctrine with the goal of spreading that ‘into all the world (Our seminary’s 50th Anniversary motto).” With that said, subjective answers can run the gamut, so I would say…Come and see, so you might form your own impressions!

6. How do I put the Academic studies into practice before my internship?

Each deaconess student is assigned fieldwork at a church or institution (mine, for example, was at a Crisis Pregnancy Center). Fieldwork is meant as a formidable training ground for putting theology into practice, and a class meets once a week to discuss and learn from your classmates what their experiences were like in their respective fieldwork locations. This class, for me, helped to shape and hone in on my particular skills.

7. What is the Admission criteria to apply?

The criteria for an application to be processed, is that a woman needs her bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution, and must be a regular member of an LCMS congregation (or fellow synod) ordinarily for 2 years or more.

8. I have debt… how can I come to seminary? And how will I manage paying it off afterwards as a Deaconess?

This is a tough one, too. Ordinarily, any post-undergraduate person leaves with an average of $30,000 or more. This is something to discuss with financial aid once you become more serious about applying. But there is ALWAYS hope and debt can be managed, even from the modest salaries of pastors and deaconesses. Further, CTS is committed to availing students to seminars, having financial advisors come in to speak with students about their financial concerns, and work with them one on one. While we believe that debt is certainly a responsibility to be taken care of, we would not want it to be the only reason someone is inhibited to apply.

9. Is being a Deaconess a rewarding vocation?

Again, a very subjective question; and I would have to answer honestly–YES AND NO. There will certainly be days where you might wonder why you ever got into this (this goes for pastors, too!), but then there will be the days that your cup overflows with joy as you watch people come to faith and grow- from teaching them, caring for them and always pointing them to Christ, our “refuge and strength (Ps. 46 [show]Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
)” in Word and Sacrament. I don’t know any other vocation specifically designed for women to serve in the church like this one. Truly unique and quite a blessing.