diakonia Program Overview

What is diakonia?

Diakonia is a two year process of spiritual formation and theological education for baptized members of the Lutheran Church. This process occurs in three basic ways:

• By thorough grounding in the classic seminary disciplines of practical, systematic, historical, and Biblical theology;
• By identifying particular skills and aptitudes in ministry, and encouraging their use in the local parish;
• By providing spiritual growth through worship, retreats, and a supportive community of fellow students, mentors, and instructors

These are the tools diakonia uses to help equip God’s people for service in parish and neighborhood ministries. The primary theme and focus of the diakonia experience is the word of Jesus in scripture (e.g. Mark 10:43): “Let the one who would be great among you be your servant (Greek: Diakonos).”

What is the emphasis of diakonia?

Diakonia emphasizes the baptismal vocation of all Christians to serve as did our Lord Jesus. Participants are usually already leaders in their parishes, and have a high degree of commitment to the ministry of the Church. They want to deepen their life of faith and ground their baptismal commitment to serve in the scriptural, theological, liturgical, and historical traditions of the Church. They are committed to serve through the Church in a variety of ways: teaching, administration, liturgical leadership, action for social justice, evangelism, visitation of the sick, community organization, youth work, ministry among the elderly, and the like. In every way they seek, and are helped by diakonia, to grow closer to the image and example of Christ the servant.

How is diakonia structured?

The diakonia curriculum consists of twelve courses, six per academic year. Each course is 5 sessions in length, and meets weekly for 3 hour sessions. Weekly assignments and reading reflect the twin purposes of relating subject matter to the students' context of life and ministry (family, parish, neighborhood area of ministry), and of giving a solid background to the topic. Students work at their own level, and assignments reflect the understanding that students are already busy in their families, jobs, and parish. Typically, students average approximately two to five hours of studies per week in addition to class time.

How much does diakonia cost?

1) Tuition: $360 per year (for the two year program). Pro rata refunds are given for students who withdraw from the program.

2) Books: Actual costs vary from course to course, but instructors try to provide materials for $25 or less per course.

3) Retreats: The number of retreats is determined by year, normally there is one. Recent retreats have cost participants approximately $15-$20 for the one-day retreat.

4) Fees: A nonrefundable registration fee of $25 is required at the time of registration. An additional fee of $25 at the conclusion of the program covers graduation expenses, including the presentation of a commemorative diakonia cross.

diakonia Home

Program Overview

Course Descriptions

diakonia Coordinator and Administrative Office

Denise Rode
815-756-8321
drode@niu.edu

Locations in Illinois

St. Mark Lutheran Church
27 S. Edgelawn Drive
Aurora, IL 60506-4301
630-897-4842

St. Barnabas Lutheran Church,
8901 S Cary-Algonquin Rd,
Cary, IL
847-639-3959

Salem Lutheran Church
1724 15th Street
Moline, IL 61265
309-764-5613

St John Lutheran Church
2000 Luther Dr
Peru, IL
815-223-1144

Grace Lutheran Church
7300 W. Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305-1552
708-366-6900

St. Mark Lutheran Church
675 N. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
815-398-3557

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
930 W. Higgins Road
Schaumburg, IL 60195
847-885-7010

St. John's Lutheran Church
703 Third Ave,
Sterling, IL 61081
815-625-2634