Resurrection congregation in Kyiv, is in the midst of the deacon education program. Professor John Vogt, Rector of St. Sophia Seminary, has already taught two sessions there. Fourteen people attended the Rector’s recent class, including three pastors who sat in to audit a session. A fifteenth regular attendee was home with the flu.
The deacon education curriculum with the emphasis on the practical aspects of church work has been developed. Half of the courses will be taught by the local pastor as a way to build a sense of team and partnership between the pastor and his helpers. The other half of the courses will be taught by seminary staff members who will travel to local congregations to conduct short courses. Ninety-minute classes each week would allow a person to complete the entire curriculum in about nine months. A diploma will be awarded to those who complete the courses, and their congregation will be encouraged to call them for some form of useful service. It is hoped that such training will also arouse interest in some men, especially younger ones, to continue their studies and become pastors. One beauty of this plan is that it can be done with little cost. The only cost is the travel expense of the seminary presenters.
We ask your prayers that God will lead other ULC congregations to seize this opportunity so the Ukrainian Lutheran Church continues to grow toward maturity and self-support.
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