What Does It Take?

Throughout my various recruiting and counseling communications, many women-- the young and old alike-- continuously ask me, ‘Deaconess DeGroot, What does it take to be a good Deaconess?” This is a very good question, and yet sometimes the hardest to answer. In my finite wisdom, I often times construct practical, biblical guides for these women to contemplate. For good reasons, the following are examples of open-ended questions that I put back into a prospective student’s court to ponder:

“What do you think the similarities and differences of Graduate level work and Seminary Formation is?”
“How do you handle stress? What are your outlets and hobbies?”
“What is your understanding of marriage and sexual propriety?”
“How do you see yourself interacting appropriately with the seminary community and in an internship or parish setting?”
“What is your communication style and how is that received among peers?”
“What are some areas of personal growth you desire and need?”
“How often do you exercise?”
“How do you handle alcohol or being in the presence of others who drink? What is your idea of temperance?”
“Who do you turn to for support and guidance? Do you have a pastor you will stay in contact with during seminary? If no, please ask to have one assigned.”
“Do you have any doctrinal contentions with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod?”
“Do you have a history of mental illness, psychiatric or psychological care? If yes, how have you been managing it, and how will you continue to manage it throughout seminary, internship and placement?”

The list invariably goes on. Not completely written off the cuff, those questions are certainly biblical principles which St. Paul discusses in the qualifications of the overseer and deacons (I Timothy 3). Since Deaconesses in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have a particular leadership role and responsibilities within the Church, how they are viewed both behaviorally and theologically is quite important.

So there you have [part of] it. Those pieces are just the beginning of what I impart to our prospective students, so they may start to cultivate a biblical understanding of Deaconess Formation. Are any of you thinking at this point, “If I just come up with the right answers to these questions and demonstrate them in word and deed, then I will be a good deaconess…?” Well, you are partly right. But lest we be so myopic and think that the Gospel has everything to do with us and our deeds… we’d all be fooling ourselves! We would certainly not last as Christians, never mind Deaconesses, with that understanding.

No, as we contemplate formation and seminary, it is important to initially and simultaneously digest God’s Word for ourselves. Psalm 77: 12 says “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” The Psalter is not talking about any old person or hero, but about God’s work and His deeds. What work and deed in particular? Even in the Old Testament we are given the Gospel; namely, the promise for the salvific work of Christ crucified on the cross for the world and the deed of His conquering sin, death and the devil at our Father’s bidding and Savior’s obedience. This is the thing most needful for our lives and souls. The Psalter knew it then, and we know it now, as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit in Scripture.

The original question, ‘what does it take' ought to be 'WHO does it take to be a Deaconess?’ And the simple answer is Jesus. Jesus, the Word made flesh, binds Himself to us in the Holy waters of Baptism, gives of Himself in His Supper, and beckons forth servants. It is this Word we receive continuously, which promises to edify our bodies and souls, and helps us to conduct ourselves in His righteousness. His Word enables us to “give up childish ways” in order to serve God and neighbor, and feast on the faith, hope and love that abides in, with and under Christ Jesus alone. It doesn’t take us at all to be a good deaconess or Christian. But we are partakers of Him, in order to share the Gospel rightly as deaconesses.

Jesus gives us everything; salvation, life everlasting, forgiveness of sins…Himself. Jesus is what it takes to be a true servant, formed to teach the faithful, reach the lost, care for all. Deaconesses point the lost to our Savior and His instituted Means of Grace, as distributed by the pastor. Faithful Lutheran women contemplating this service, won't you partake?

The Deaconess Difference

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 the reader to understand the important distinctions of both. In relation to what deaconesses are alongside any other churchly offices, this will hopefully offer development of a healthy attitude, not only about deaconesses, but the Word of God declared and 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 5:24, 1 Timothy 2:9-15). 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 & Font, where Jesus promises to be, in with and under His Word. 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!

Calling all Lutheran Women!

Want to know what a Deaconess is? Me too. I mean, everyday I am still learning even though I am one. A Presentation will be given at Messiah Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA at 3:00pm by yours truly. I am excited to travel to Seattle...on a direct flight no less!

Also, I will be at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillboro, OR on May 5 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. If you are interested or curious about what deaconesses are and what they do (and if you are in the vicinity)...c'mon by!

Otherwise, you can contact me anytime via email: degrootma@ctsfw.edu.