Welcome to Florida-Bahamas Synod's School of Lay Ministry
The School of Lay Ministry is for any person who wants a more complete, more well rounded faith experience.
The School of Lay Ministry is for any person who wants a more complete, more well rounded faith experience.
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The School of Lay Ministry 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.
Our 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 this program – to grow closer to the image and example of Christ the servant.
The School of Lay Ministry, formerly diakonia, was organized under the auspices of the Florida-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, 2024 there have been over 248 students have graduated from our program. Of these seven have continued on into ordained ministry.
In 2023 we 're-branded' to become known as the School of Lay Ministry.
Are you one of our next graduates?
Sept 20th, 2025 School of Lay Ministry
Retreat and Graduation Service
New Life Lutheran Church, Sarasota FL
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Please reach us at micheleahilton@aol.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In-person classes meet once a week for 3 hours. On-line class students have a series of videos and reading assignments posted on our website and meet for one hour, via Zoom, with their instructor for reflection on the week's assignments and relationship building.
We need at least two people to open an in-person site...and we need a church to host the classes...if you meet these two requirements, please contact us at micheleahilton@aol.com
No, you can take one course at a time and work at your own pace.
Our self-study, on-line program allows students to learn, study and reflect on a schedule that fits their lifestyle! It does not matter where you are located, or whether you are a snow-bird, or like to travel...this option makes your learning experience possible! Courses are scheduled throughout the year and students may take the courses in the order they are scheduled or as it best work for them. On-line students pick up a syllabus and reading assignment(s) from our website, watch and learn from course videos posted on our website and then meet with their classmates and course instructor once a week, via Zoom, for 1 hour, for reflection on the week's assignments and relationship building.
There is an non-refundable registration fee of $35 for either self-study or in-person classes. Tuition for the in-person twelve courses is $60 each for a total of $720.
On-line courses are either $60 or $75 each for a total of $825 (as of October, 2024)
Tuition payment is due at the beginning of each course or may be bundled.
Payments can be made on-line via our website or by check, payable to 'diakonia Florida' and sent to our Treasurer: Deacon Ed Bornman, c/o St John Lutheran Church, 1600 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
There are scholarships available! First, complete and submit a Scholarship Application found in the forms section of this website. (https://diakoniafl.org/sch-of-lay-min-forms-1)
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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