ELCA Diaconal Ministers Consecrated

DIACONAL MINISTERS CONSECRATED

The consecration of Audrey Forbes on Oct. 20 at First Lutheran
Church, Ellicott City, Md., brought the number of diaconal
ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to five.
Margaret Schmitt Ajer became the ELCA's first diaconal minister
when she was consecrated on June 15 in the ELCA's Southern
California (West) Synod.  Phillip R. Deming was consecrated on
June 29 in the Pacifica Synod, Nancy Gable on July 21 in the
Allegheny Synod, Diana J. Sickles on Aug. 25 in the Southeastern
Iowa Synod and Audrey Forbes in the Delaware-Maryland Synod.  The
ELCA's 1993 Churchwide Assembly approved the new form of lay
ministry after a five-year study of ministry.  The church now has
four "rosters" for its professional leaders -- pastors,
associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.  The
ELCA ordains pastors; and the others are lay ministers.  Diaconal
ministers have at least a master's degree in theology and
participate in a diaconal formation program.  The focus of
diaconal ministry is on extending the church's ministry of care
and service into the world.