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 Diaconal
Ministry Stories
Diaconal Ministers: are consecrated for service in ministries at
the intersection of church and world. This is a ministry of Word
and Service. The serving is through agencies, institutions, and traditional
church programs as diaconal ministers build bridges between the church
and the world. A Master’s degree is necessary for this roster
and the approval/endorsement of the synodical candidacy committee.
In 1994, the E.L.C.A. established the Center for Diaconal Ministry
preparation here at Gettysburg.
Those who spent five years of intense study of Ministry, specifically
members of the appointed Task Force on The Study of Ministry, recommended,
in 1993, the establishment of diaconal ministry. They wrote:
…
a ministry of service and witness, exemplifying the life of Christ-like
service to persons in need and leading and equipping the baptized
for their life of service within and beyond the congregation…Diaconal
ministers will be ministers of the word in that they will be spokespersons
for the Gospel, the apostolic faith, and the theological emphases
of this church to God's world. They will bear special responsibility
to speak for the needs of God's world to the church…Diaconal
ministry should develop in response to emerging needs and, therefore,
must be flexible enough to enable diaconal ministers to move into
area of service where the needs of persons and society are pressing
the church for leadership and response.
[ELCA Task Force for the Study of Ministry, Together for Ministry:
Final Report and Recommendations, 1988-1993. (Chicago:
ELCA, 1993). pp. 11-12]
Diaconal Ministry Cross |
Diakonia finds its center in the Cross
of Christ - the one who came not to be served but to serve. The uninterrupted
line in this "diaconal cross" represents the integral
connection and dynamic flow between ministry in and of the
church in relationship with God's world. Diaconal ministers
are called to interpret and carry the needs and cries of the
world to the church so that the church might heed its call
to diakonia by serving the world with the Gospel of Christ
Jesus.
by Madelyn Busse, Diaconal Minister
Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA |
Why Gettysburg?
The Board for the Division for Ministry appointed Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, in cooperation with the newly formed Eastern
Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and Southern
Seminaries), as the ELCA Center for Diaconal Ministry Preparation.
In following years interest in diaconal ministry blossomed - throughout
the church. Although the words may be different one thread is consistent
in conversation: "How are diaconal ministers embodying the
call to service?" Inquiries come from persons considering
service as diaconal ministers, members of our synods' Candidacy
Committees, staff persons from the 65 ELCA Synods, representatives
of our international Lutheran and ecumenical partners in ministry,
students preparing for service as pastors or associates in ministry
or deaconesses, seminary faculty where students prepare for service,
etc.
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