Welcome to diakonia Florida Florida-Bahamas Synod's School of Lay Ministry
diakonia is for any person who wants a more complete,
more well rounded faith experience.
FBS School of Lay Ministry
This animated video discusses the difference between the FBS School of Lay Ministry and the FBS Parish Deacon program.
About Us
Florida-Bahamas Synod's School of Lay Ministry
The diakonia Florida program is for any person who wants a more complete, more well rounded faith experience. It is a faith formation resource. It’s for all levels of faith formation…from knowing little to knowing a lot…it doesn’t matter.
About us
diakonia students 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.
Our History
The first diakonia class in Florida was organized under the auspices of the Florid-Bahamas Synod with classes beginning in September of 2006 at four locations: Brandon, Jacksonville, Ormond Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. The first Graduation Eucharist was held at Apostles Lutheran Church in Brandon on May 31st, 2008.The presenter and homilist for the graduation was the Rev. Stephen Bouman, the founder of diakonia which began in Queens, NY in 1977. Also in attendance at that first Graduation Eucharist was Florida-Bahamas Bishop Edward Benoway and future Bishop, then Assistant to the Bishop and Bishop’s representative to the diakonia Steering Committee, the Rev. Robert Schafer. The 37 members of that first graduating class of diakonia was the largest graduating class in Florida and the entire ELCA.
As of June, 2021 there have been over 200 diakonia graduates in the Florid-Bahamas Synod. Of these seven have continued on into ordained ministry.
Are you one of our next graduates?
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at micheleahilton@aol.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In-person diakonia has been suspended due to COVID -19 but is expected to resume late this year. Each course meets one day per week, for 5 weeks for 3 hours at a time.
No, you can take one course at a time and work at your own pace. Self study diakonia contains all the same courses as in-person diakonia but the study schedule is determined by the student.
Once you have submitted an application, you will receive access to the on-line course materials at diakoniafl.org. There you can request a scholarship, pay tuition, get assignments, download course videos and obtain your syllabus. You will meet with others in the same course, via Zoom, every other week to share, discuss and reflect under the guidance of the Course Coach, usually an ordained minister.
There is an annual non-refundable registration fee of $35. The tuition fee for each course is $60 or $75. The full course load of 12 courses is $810.00. Tuition can be paid in full, half at a time, or pay by the course. Starting this year you can pay online using a credit or debit card.
There are scholarships available! A partnership between the student, the program and the student’s home congregation is encouraged.
Fill out and send in an application! You can find one at diakoniafl.org/Student Home Page (scroll to the bottom for on-line forms)
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Retreat - Graduation Update
The September 2023 Graduation will be held at
Hope Lutheran Church - 250 Avenida Los Angelos
The Villages, FL 32162
September 23rd, 2023
Retreat 9:00 am- 3:00 pm with graduation at 4:00 pm