There have been some misnomers out there that describe deaconesses as “nuns” or “mini-pastors.” This blog post hopes to develop a primer discussion of what a deaconess is and what she is not, and leave you to understand the important distinctions of both. In relation to what deaconesses are alongside any other offices, this will hopefully offer development of a healthy attitude, not only about deaconesses, but the Word of God demonstrated in these instruments of Christ’s mercy.

A DEACONESS IS NOT A NUN:

• A Deaconess reaches out into the community and congregation to the lost and suffering. She has no vows or oaths that she must take, apart from being in agreement and faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions (because it agrees with Scripture).

• A Deaconess is able to be married and carry on deaconess service. Again, no vows of celibacy or monasticism are required or encouraged. Likewise, a deaconess is not required or encouraged to be married, either, if she does not desire these things; so long as she acts in accordance with Scripture in propriety and obedience to the Sixth Commandment (which goes for all people, not just deaconesses!)

• A Deaconess knows the richness of our Lutheran theology, and is able to articulate and act, in mercy, on our confession of faith with grace and wisdom for the edification of the Church, especially to the ones who she has been charged to serve.

A DEACONESS IS NOT A PASTOR:

• The deaconess is consecrated (set apart for godly service), not ordained. Her service begins at the nave and door of the Church. While she does not preach or administer the Lord’s Supper, she can certainly prepare the Altar for the Sacrament prior to the Divine Service, but does not participate in the distribution of it.

• The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod upholds and respects God’s Biblical order of Creation. Woman was created as helper of man (Gen. 2:18). Deaconesses exemplify this and other expressions of God’s Word (Eph 5:25, 1 Timothy 3:12). This is to be understood as the inerrant Word of God truly freeing both men and women to be exactly who they are, in Christ Jesus, as the ultimate focus.

• Diaconal emphasis of service is on care, teaching and reaching out to women, children, and elderly

This primer hopefully brings clarity to some otherwise confused or misleading views. The most important aspect of deaconess service is giving all glory to God, and pointing others to our Savior, Jesus Christ. A deaconess serves as a “buffer”-many times between the world and the Altar and Font, where Jesus promises to be. While all children of God are called to bear witness to the Gospel and show where God is located, a deaconess is a leader and resource to those she serves, helping and encouraging all to works of mercy and compassion. Glory be to God for sending all laborers into His Harvest!

The third pillar of our seminary mission statement is that CTS exists to form servants in Jesus Christ who … care for all. Sinful humanity is radically self-centered.  But it was not always so.  In his pristine state, Adam understood the nature of love because he was in full communion with his Creator.  Only with self-serving disobedience did our race forget the essence of love.

By His incarnation, obedience, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus Christ restores us to full communion with the Creator.  To be in God means, quite simply, to love.  Whom?  All people.  Even your enemies just as God in Christ loved His enemies and reconciled us to Himself.

But love is not merely an inner working of the heart.  Love always acts.  John 3:16 does not say that God so loved the world that He had nice warm emotions toward us.  Rather, it says that He gave His only-begotten Son.  Though the sacrifice of Christ to atone for sin was once-for-all, God is still giving His Son to mankind.  Only now, He is doing so by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Holy Church.

Christians help those who suffer.  We do not, like Buddhists, wish it away.  We work it away.  And when we cannot, we trust in the Creator to make us anew when the new creation is fully revealed.

It is our understanding of God’s mercy toward sinners that moves us to serve our neighbor in his physical and temporal needs.  We follow the example of our Lord Jesus, the apostles and all Christendom.  He has sent us first to proclaim the forgiveness of sins but also to heal.  For in the Kingdom of God, all things are renewed, soul and body.

It is precisely this understanding of God’s living mercy that has guided Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne to place so much emphasis upon our deaconess program.  Not to say that only professional church women can serve and help the neighbor.  But to invest our resources in godly women, and men, who will make the presence of Christ known, not in words only, but through their lives and deeds is our goal.  To the glory of God.

The Church gives thanks for the life and work of Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, who died in the Lord last Saturday, May 10. Vajda’s work as hymnwriter is known throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (and beyond). Of his more than 200 hymns (original and translated), the following are found in Lutheran Service Book:

369 Where Shepherds Lately Knelt
371 Let Our Gladness Banish Sadness
445 When You Woke that Thursday Morning
484 Make Songs of Joy
491 Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels
593 See This Wonder in the Making
896 Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year
910 Now the Silence
922 Go, My Children, with My Blessing
945 Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

In most times and places, there probably isn’t much consideration about the authors of hymn texts and composers of hymn tunes and settings. And those writers probably prefer it that way, anyhow, since a good hymn points to Christ, rather than highlighting those who created the words and music. But when we do pause to consider those skilled lyricists and musicians such as Rev. Vajda, we can be thankful for their work of putting words and tunes into our mouths and lives.

Concordia Publishing House has a fitting tribute on their website HERE.

Praise be to God that Pastors and deaconesses will be reaching all corners of the United States (and world) this summer to proclaim the Gospel and serve, as they embark on their new vicarages and internships, placements and Divine Calls. Please keep them in your prayers. They will need all the support they can get as they adjust to unfamiliar settings, people and cultures.

The Deaconess Program at Concordia Theological Seminary is enjoying the remaining weeks of Spring quarter, rounding out its established success of five years at Fort Wayne. Joyfully, we can report that there were 10 women eligible for internships this spring, and all 10 were filled by congregations and institutions. These internships will allow them to learn and better prepare for professional service post graduation, as certified Deaconesses in the LCMS. Further, in CTS tradition, we greatly anticipates the Placement Service for many of this year’s class of interns next Thursday, May 15th, in Kramer Chapel. However, like some seminarians, not every deaconess intern may receive a placement at the ceremonial time. These placements take time and work to cultivate as we educate congregations about the need that these church workers can serve.

One of the delights of my internship this year has been exactly that; educating the Church at large about diaconia and the richness a deaconess can add to the life of it. I don’t think there has been a single person that I have spoken to about deaconess service that didn’t understand its value, and hoped to see more deaconesses serving in their churches someday.

Of course, there are logistical realities when deliberating over calling any church worker. But the first step to creating these opportunities begins with prayer. There is no magic involved. It is simply talking with God and asking for His wisdom in what direction your church should go. Asking your pastor and council members to discuss new church worker possibilities also prepares the way for careful deliberation. But God’s timing, the resources, and right people to be involved in the decision making- not to mention the right person to be called upon to serve- is key in making it all happen. This is how God works and He always answers our prayers. No matter what the outcome, God provides for the needs of His church.

I often think about the Israelites deliverance out of Egypt in the book of Exodus in terms of how God uses people for His glory and our redemption. It was through Moses, who God chose to act on His behalf; but also Aaron and Miriam (Micah 6:4), who helped lead Israel to the Promised Land. This is the very same endeavor of the church today. There will always be needs in the church, and pastors simply cannot and should not shoulder it in entirety. Sharing the responsibility that God has commanded us to do (Gal 5:2), is truly a blessing to all. A deaconess’s goal, just as a pastor’s, is to lead people from their wandering. Outside of the liturgical setting, she points them to the Promised Land [heaven], Jesus Christ, and where He is found in His Word with His Sacraments through teaching the faith, acts of mercy and spiritual care.

If you or your congregation is considering a deaconess, continue to pray about it. Further inquiries can be directed to 260.452.2178, or melissa.degroot@ctsfw.edu.