FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The annual meeting of Concordia Deaconess Conference was held May 10-12 on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), Fort Wayne, Indiana. About 50 members of the conference from across the nation gathered to discuss a Code of Ethics and hold Bible Study, which was led by the Rev. Steven C. Briel, St. John Lutheran Church in Minnesota.

It was a good opportunity for the students at CTS who are studying to become Deaconesses to meet with people who are already serving as a Deaconess. CTS recently introduced a master’s level Deaconess Program this academic year.

According to CTS, the focus of the deaconess training program is to “thoroughly ground the deaconess student in the study of Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions while teaching the application of these in service to the church and her souls.”

Its philosophy statement says that Concordia Practical training will include such areas of service as “visitation to the sick and shut-in, teaching the faith, counseling, evangelism skills, altar guild, and the care of the needy, women and children."