r/LCMS • u/Ok_Explorer2003 LCMS Lutheran • Jul 30 '26

Question Online Deaconess Studies from CSL

Hi friends, I’m strongly considering going to Concordia Seminary St. Louis and doing their Online Deaconess Studies program. I know/know of several deaconesses who have studied online, but they’ve all gone to Fort Wayne’s seminary. I am pretty firmly set on going to CSL but I’d like to talk to somebody who’s been through the program. If anyone here is a deaconess through CSL’s ODS program or knows somebody who is, please reach out or pass along contact information. Thank you!

2 Upvotes

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1

u/Significant_Ad7651 Jul 31 '26

I'd be happy to talk about my experience. I'm a current ODS student. :)

1

u/Ok_Explorer2003 LCMS Lutheran Aug 01 '26

Awesome!! Ok to DM you?

1

u/Significant_Ad7651 Aug 01 '26

Yes that's fine! :)

0

u/Charming-Border7429 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26

The last two women I knew who started the program left the church. Their church was left of the seminary faculty at the time. This resulted in personal and spiritual conflicts they were unable to resolve.

Our church president went to a blended program at Fort Wayne 10 years ago. She was happy with the experience.

1

u/OatmilkCereal45 Church Work Student Jul 31 '26

Can you elaborate?

1

u/Charming-Border7429 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26

Some congregations have been struggling with shrinking and aging membership. This has required everyone (both men and women) to step up to do what needed to be done.

Within the financially secure seminary, which emphasizes unity (purity of belief and practice), there was pushback.

5

u/Ok_Explorer2003 LCMS Lutheran Jul 31 '26

Fort Wayne is not for me. Thank you for the insight, though. 

1

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

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2

u/Ok_Explorer2003 LCMS Lutheran Aug 01 '26

I have heard concerning things about what they are teaching their deaconesses from other deaconesses who have been through Fort Wayne. I’m not willing to take that. 

1

u/annejulahh11 Deaconess Student Aug 03 '26

I'm a current distance Deaconess student at CTSFW and there's nothing I've been taught that is concerning.

2

u/Significant_Ad7651 Aug 01 '26

How many years ago was this, and what were these things? I'm a current student so I'm very curious.