Diaconal Formation

 

Diaconal Formation

Throughout the 12 DOTAC Communities and Associations, diaconal formation and training for the diaconate is accomplished in a myriad of ways, processes and foci.  Below are descriptions of how that important work of shaping vocation happens in the federation.

 

Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) 

The Education/Formation process of the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) is based on developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes in four areas:  work/ministry, spirituality, theology, and community.  These competencies are met in various ways, individualized to each student.  The basic requirements are 5 theology courses and a course in the theology of diaconal ministry, one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, 100 hours of fieldwork, a year-long, paid internship, work with a spiritual director/counselor, and attending diaconal gatherings and annual meetings.  Students are distance-based and attend an on-site, 7-day seminar at the Center for Diaconal Ministry in Valparaiso, Indiana once a year.  The LDA community is intimately involved in student formation, from providing mentoring relationships and feedback, to incorporating students into area diaconal meetings and events.  The process typically takes three years, but can vary slightly depending on the prior coursework and experiences a student brings.  https://thelda.org/become/#education 

Diakonia of The United Church of Canada (DUCC)

Most diaconal ministers in The United Church of Canada take their theological education at the Centre for Christian Studies.  Their program is a community-based program.  Each year involves Learning Circles which are 6-day in-person intensive courses with required readings, assignments, and group work. Three Field Placements in the local setting focus on 3 themes: Social Justice, Spiritual Care, Christian Education and Worship. Each practicum is for 8 months based on 10-12 hours a week. Eight External Courses — in theology (2), scripture (4), history (1), and ethics (1) — have to be completed over the 4-5 year program.  A final integrating year includes two more learning circles, a Global Perspectives Experience – a 10-14 day study trip to another part of the world with a recognized partner organization, and assignments on diaconal profiles and personal statement, a theological credo, and church polity. For more information: http://ccsonline.ca/program/courses-and-circles/#leadership  

Indigenous students for diaconal ministry study at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre.  Their five year community-based program includes learning circles, vision keepers, and field placements. https://sandysaulteaux.ca/indigenous-ministry-training/ 

Episcopal Diaconal Formation

Deacon formation in the Episcopal Church is informed by national canon and varies significantly between dioceses.  Each diocese creates their own program to engage with the five canonical areas of study (XXXXX) with guidance provided by the Association for Episcopal Deacons’ detailed Competencies for Diaconal Formation document.  Resources for academic formation can be located in a variety of forums, including seminary classes, local schools for ministry, self-study, or an increasing variety of on-line offerings from select sources.  Most programs entail a two or three year commitment, require anti-racism and child protection education, and an increasing number require community organizing competence.  Formation optimally includes extensive work in a cohort of persons seeking diaconal ordination and integration into a diocesan deacons’ community.  Challenges facing formation efforts today include providing formation in languages other than English.  A newly significant issue in formation is recognizing and eradicating various issues of economic injustice found in traditional models of formation which have been identified as barriers to realizing a diaconal vocation in many communities.

Details and a variety of resources (including a copy of the Competencies in English and Spanish) can be located at https://www.episcopaldeacons.org/resources.html

Diaconate in the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confessional in Brazil (Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil)  

The process 

The current diaconal formation in the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confessional in Brazil is basically around the Theology School. The undergraduate course consists of four years of theology, including a semester as a trainee at a Faith Community or Institution.  This semester may be near or far from the Seminary. 

After finishing the course, people who want to be a minister of the Church (IECLB ordains four ministries: diaconal, cathectic, pastoral and missionary) need to take a specialization on the intended specific ministry. 

After this specialization training is a written and an oral test, and if approved, people are designated to a vicariat and this usually happens in communities, over a year and a half.

Then, finally, those who want to be deacons are sent by the Church, after a final test, to take on a ministerial activity where there is a vacancy, usually communities. Things may change in the future, because the Church is discussing and reviewing the current format. 

 

 

 

Deaconess Community of the ELCAThe purpose of formation into the Deaconess Community of the ELCA, also serving the ELCIC, is to foster individual growth and community identity, deepen one’s relationship with God, and empower, equip and sustain women to serve and meet the needs of the world.  The Deaconess Community accompanies individuals through this formation process, mutually discerning and sharing gifts, strengths, and vulnerabilities with one another.  During formation, women will deepen their prayer and spiritual life, engage in the Community through worship, build relationships, participate in formal and informal events, and become acquainted with examples of inspiring ministries of both present and past deaconesses in the historic tradition. 

Women become members of the Deaconess Community by first entering the Word and Service Roster of the ELCA or the Diaconal Minister Roster of the ELCIC. 

The basic components of the formation process for entrance into the Deaconess Community are (1) completion of our Diaconal Ministry J-term course, (2) participation in two Formation Events, and (3) attendance at one Deaconess Community Assembly. Throughout the process, candidates are accompanied by the Community as a whole and the Committee on Vocation and Education in particular.

For more information see: https://deaconesscommunity.org/become-a-deaconess/

Order of Diaconal Ministries – Presbyterian Church in Canada

Anyone who wants to become a member of the ODM has to have a Masters of Religious Education The MRE degree is offered by St. Augustine’s Seminary and the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology of the Toronto School of Theology.  When someone from the PCC has completed the program, they graduate under Knox College at the University of Toronto. 

The primary purpose of the MRE is to equip individuals for competent leadership in various forms of educational ministry in congregations and other religious institutions.  Twenty (20) courses over a minimum of two years can be completed on a part-time basis.

For more about the ODM-PCC including a Statement of Diaconal Ministries and opportunities for grants for theological students visit https://presbyterian.ca/order-of-diaconal-ministries/ 

 

Anglican Deacons Canada

Diaconal Formation in the Anglican Church of Canada. Formation mainly remains the responsibility of individual Dioceses. In 2016 the Iona Report on the Diaconate was published and received by the General Synod. It prepared what was at the time a comprehensive list of competencies. This document has been used in different forms as the basis for formation in several Dioceses. The authors consider it a living document and welcome changes and wisdom gained through its use.

https://www.anglicandeacons.ca/ministries/the-iona-report

 

Wesley Diaconal Community Training and Formation

The training and formation of members of the Wesley Diaconal community is a combination of theological training at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) followed by at least two years of probation in a particular circuit which would then lead to ordination. The diaconal students spend between one (1) to three (3) years at UTCWI where they pursue either a Certificate in Ministerial Studies, which is a one (1) year programme or a Diploma in Ministry, which is a three (3) year programme. In addition, because of the College’s relationship with the University of the West Indies (UWI), those who spend three (3) years at UTCWI can also pursue a BA Theology with the University or those who spend two (2) years can pursue a Licentiate in Theology at the UWI. While in seminary student pursue courses in Biblical, Theological & Ethical, Historical, Religious & Philosophical and Pastoral Studies. In addition to the academic training, they participate in formation through assignments in circuits where they work along with senior colleagues to gain the practical experience. They also attend sessions with the Diaconal Tutor, where they are exposed to the specifics of Diaconal Ministry in the MCCA. During the semester breaks at Christmas and summer, they are also assigned to circuits to work in the ministry for the period. After graduating from UTCWI, they spend two years of Probation, during which they pursue further studies in preparation for ordination.

 

ELCA Deacons for Ecumenical Engagement Affinity Group 

Ministers of Word and Service in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) are formed to “provide a ministry exemplifying the life of Christlike service to all persons and creation: nurturing, healing, leading, advocating dignity and justice, and equipping the whole people of God for their life of witness and service within and beyond the congregation for the sake of God’s mission in the world.” Candidacy is the process in which formation takes place, where applicants and candidates participate in informal and formal mutual discernment with ministry partners (synods, seminaries, congregations, contextual learning sites, etc.). Formation typically includes a theological degree from an accredited seminary, including Lutheran learning and formation from an ELCA seminary, certification/credentialing in one’s area of specialization, 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, an internship, and diaconal formation addressed through seminary course work, formation events, and other opportunities. The process typically takes 2-4 years and culminates with the candidate receiving a letter of call to serve as a Minister of Word and Service (deacon) in a congregation, organization, or institution.  

Deacons of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Candidacy Manual about Formation describes a specific event, called the Formation Event, which all of ELCIC Deacon candidates need to participate in as part of the process.

 

 C-5. Diaconal Formation Event 

A diaconal ministry formation event will be offered at least every second year under the sponsorship of the ELCIC. A candidate must be endorsed by the Candidacy Committee of their synod prior to participation in a formation event. Successful completion of this event meets the formation component requirement for approval as a candidate for ordination to the diaconal ministry.

 C-5.1 Purpose: The formation event is considered integral to the preparation of diaconal ministry candidates. Ideally the formation event precedes theological studies and will assist candidates in shaping their course of study and field experience. Candidates will: • study and explore biblical, theological, historical and ecumenical roots and expressions of diaconal ministry; • examine current diaconal approaches and models for ministry in a variety of settings through study and field trips; • gain deeper understandings of Lutheran theology as it relates to all forms of ministry, call and ecclesiology; and • develop spiritual insights and disciplines for active ministry through worship, prayer and group processes designed for spiritual formation, development of community and mutual vision for diaconal ministry. 

C-5.2 Components: A variety of learning and community building experiences will include lectures, reading, writing, small group and individual reflection, field trips to diaconal ministry sites and optional tutorials. Worship, spiritual formation and community life are central to the experience. Seminary faculty, guest lecturers and ecumenical guests may all be involved. 

C-5.3 Expectations: All participants will be asked to be in residence for housing and meals at the chosen venue for the entire event. Applicants who are accepted will be sent a reading list to complete prior to arrival. A journal/evaluation is to be kept during the event and given to the event co-ordinator following the event. The journal may be shared with the candidate’s Candidacy Committee.  

United Methodist Deaconesses and Home Missioners

In The United Methodist Church Deaconesses and Home Missioners (DHM) are lay people who are consecrated to a lifetime of full-time lay ministries of love, justice, and service.  Individuals who feel a call to lay ministry first participate in a discernment event within which they are introduced to the scriptural basis for diakonia, the concept of a vocational call, a short history of DHM and our place in The United Methodist Church, and our community value of continual discernment.  Those who discern that DHM is the correct path for them are invited to complete an application within which they articulate their sense of call and understanding of lay ministry.  Applications are reviewed by a committee, and, if affirmed to move forward, are invited to participate in an interview.  

Provisional candidates are enrolled in a Theology of Mission course to be further introduced to a United Methodist understanding of mission as it relates to ministries of love, justice, and service.  Students explore the scriptural and theological grounds to engage in social justice and how their particular calling may be made manifest through a variety of ministries.  After successfully completing this course and a mental health interview, individuals are then considered DHM candidates.  Candidates must complete four other courses, in any order.  These courses are Old Testament, New Testament, United Methodist History, and United Methodist Doctrine & Polity.  After all courses have been completed, candidates apply for consecration and participate in an orientation and training process that includes a focus on intercultural competence.  Deaconesses and Home Missioners are consecrated by a United Methodist Bishop to a lifetime of Christlike service under the authority of the church and are appointed to a vocational ministry that fulfills our Deaconess / Home Missioner Mandates to alleviate suffering, eradicate causes of injustice and all that robs life of dignity and worth, facilitate the development of full human potential, and share in building global community through the Church universal.  

 

Deacons of The United Methodist Church

Potential candidates for becoming deacons spend time in discernment, listening to God, talking to their pastor, campus minister and/or a deacon, reading and researching, and meeting the district superintendent.  The candidacy process continues the discernment process when the candidate is assigned a mentor. Approval to become a certified candidate involves meeting with church’s Staff-Pastor Parish Relations Committee and the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM).  

All deacons are required to complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies in the Christian Faith, a minimum of 27 semester hours. These may be completed as part of a theological degree or in addition to a master’s degree and/or professional certification in specialized ministry. 

Students must take at least one course in each of ten Basic Graduate Theological Studies categories.

While all deacons and elders are required to complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies in the Christian Faith, they make take slightly different educational paths. These are the three available higher education routes that prospective deacons may use:

  • Deacon Education Route One:
    • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Master of divinity (or equivalent) or other theological master’s degree. The degree must be earned at a school approved by the University Senate. 
  • Deacon Education Route Two:
    • Bachelor’s degree.
    • Master’s degree in an appropriate area of ministry specialization.
  • Deacon Education Route Three (option for people beginning candidacy at age 35 or older):
    • Bachelor’s degree.
    • Professional or ministry certification (church or secular professional certification in an area of ministry, including a minimum of eight semester hours of graduate academic credit).

Please note that for missional purposes, exceptions to the undergraduate degree requirements may be made in consultation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). 

Ecclesiastical endorsement is available to deacons serving as chaplains or in ministries of pastoral care and counseling.

 https://www.gbhem.org/clergy/deacons-diaconal-ministers/becoming/