Transferability

[RayToy]

   I am curious about the issue of transferability.  With pastors, there is a very clear process of transferring within a church body and between church bodies.  I personally am curious about other folks' (deacons and deaconesses in particular) transferability.

     For example, as a member of the Order of St. Stephen Deacon (OSSD), I suspect that if I moved into one of the ELCA synods that used the Diakonia program, and I wanted to do something similar to what I am doing now, I could probably do so with minimal difficulty.  Likewise, if I moved into an ELCA synod that had their own synodical deacon program. I am not so sure about ELCA synods that do not have synodical deacons.

    So, expanding this concept, what would happen to an Atlantic District deacon who moved into another area within the Missouri Synod?  Could they exercise a public ministry and be recognized as such?

Just wondering
Ray

[John_Hannah]

   I am curious about the issue of transferability.  With pastors, there is a very clear process of transferring within a church body and between church bodies.  I personally am curious about other folks' (deacons and deaconesses in particular) transferability.

     For example, as a member of the Order of St. Stephen Deacon (OSSD), I suspect that if I moved into one of the ELCA synods that used the Diakonia program, and I wanted to do something similar to what I am doing now, I could probably do so with minimal difficulty.  Likewise, if I moved into an ELCA synod that had their own synodical deacon program. I am not so sure about ELCA synods that do not have synodical deacons.

    So, expanding this concept, what would happen to an Atlantic District deacon who moved into another area within the Missouri Synod?  Could they exercise a public ministry and be recognized as such?

Just wondering
Ray

In Missouri it really is a "congregational" choice, even though the district provides the standards and the training. Except for deaconesses, diaconal ministry is not "rostered" in the LCMS. If he or she moved into a congregation which utilizes deacons, I would guess that the congregation would welcome her. If not, the congregation might adapt (gradually) to a new experience or simply reject his ministry.

Peace, JOHN

[Brian Stoffregen]

The ELCA, as of 2017, has "Ministers for Word and Service" (deacons) that somewhat parallels "Ministers for Word and Sacrament." Once on either roster, one can serve throughout the ELCA.


https://www.elca.org/Resources/Word-and-Service-Roster?_ga=2.102920576.1451403722.1579452144-1104513695.1576182737

[Steven Tibbetts]

The ELCA, as of 2017, has "Ministers for Word and Service" (deacons) that somewhat parallels "Ministers for Word and Sacrament." Once on either roster, one can serve throughout the ELCA.

https://www.elca.org/Resources/Word-and-Service-Roster?_ga=2.102920576.1451403722.1579452144-1104513695.1576182737

One might note that the Deacons on the ELCA's Minister of Word and Service roster are not the same as those who have gone through the Diakonia program or are Deacons through other means, such as the OSSD.

In addition, the only Deaconesses automatically on the ELCA's Minister of Word and Service roster are those of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA.  Deaconesses (and, now, Deacons) of other communities such as the Lutheran Diaconal Association in Valparaiso) or churches are rostered in the ELCA only after completing the ELCA's Candidacy process and receiving a call.

The various "synodically authorized ministry" programs are authorized as each Synod sees fit, though there are Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries, along with A Statement of Understanding Concerning Synodically Authorized Ministry of Word and Sacrament which was adopted by the Conference of Bishops in 2005, both of which can be found on these pages from the ELCA's Manual of Policies and Procedures for Management of the Rosters.  (This link is the 2010 Manual that I found on the Northwestern Minnesota Synod's website.)  The ELCA's Guidelines (here's the link to the Guidelines currently on the ELCA Secretary's pages) do not directly address reciprocity of synodically authorized ministers between the ELCA Synods.  They do say, "The bishop will authorize for this ministry only those individuals who have been well prepared and who will serve under supervision. Completion of a program of preparation does not mean that authorization for service will follow. There is no guarantee of service within the synod."