From the beginning, LM-A has expressed its desire to see the office of deaconess restored in Australian Lutheran churches. Deaconess Kathleen Mills and Dr Stephen Pietsch were tasked with drafting a theological rationale for the role of deaconesses in LM-A, which has since been edited and approved by the College of Pastors and received by the LM-A Committee of Management. The paper examines the Biblical basis and history of deaconesses, how the office of deaconess differs from the Office of the Ministry, the theology of mercy and the work of the deaconess and the reasons for having deaconesses serving in LM-A. The paper further explores the training and the servant heart required by deaconesses.

‍Biblical Basis and History

‍In Acts 6:1-7, the apostolic church appointed seven men—Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus—to serve as deacons.[2] This was a response to complaints that the widows of Greek-speaking Jews were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The apostles delegated this “serving tables” role to the seven men so that the apostles could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. This is an expression of obedience to the command to love and serve the poor and needy which Christ gives to his church in Matt 19:21 and John 13:14. This diaconal service of mercy continued in the early and later eras of church.

The biblical basis for the office of deaconess is found primarily in the qualifications listed in 1 Tim 3:11, for women in roles of service and mercy, alongside the example of Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2, who is described as a “deacon” (servant) and a valuable helper. These verses, along with passages like Titus 2:3-5 and 1 Timothy 5:9-10, show that women served in roles of service, care for the sick and poor, and instructing younger women, and were held to a high standard of character in these roles.

The Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’

Genesis 2:18

It is a great shame that the beauty, dignity and importance of women’s vocations in the church have been overshadowed by arguments over the pastoral office for so many years. As usual, the devil distracted us with his most common question, ‘Did God really say?’ and off we went, getting drawn into the lie that women’s roles were somehow lacking and needed to be “enhanced” by taking on those roles the Lord reserved for suitably qualified men. Ironically the people who have suffered most in this are the very women it was supposed to benefit, as their God-pleasing vocations have been diminished and devalued. 

The scriptures make it abundantly clear that men and women share the same baptismal status before our Heavenly Father by virtue of Jesus’ saving work for all people on the cross, (Galatians 3:25-29). But He has uniquely gifted women for certain vocations to which they are called, and through which God works to serve the family and congregation. This reality finds its origin in the Garden of Eden when God made Eve as a helper for Adam (Genesis 2:18-25). Eve was the perfect complement to Adam and together they were to manage God’s good creation. Remarkably she was gifted with the call to be the mother of all nations and the account of her creation and her joining together with Adam resounds with joy and thanksgiving.  

LM-A Women of Faith Groups

Lutheran Mission - Australia earnestly seeks to enrich women’s daily walk with God by nurturing Women of Faith Groups for women of all ages. LM-A wants to foster a coming together of women in their congregations, nurturing relationships, fostering a deep sense of belonging, and cultivating connectedness as members of the body of Christ Romans 12:4-5 . God created us to be in relationship with Him and each other; what a blessing this is!

‍Women play a vital role in our Church as carers and nurturers who positively influence their families, live out their God-given vocations, and serve the wider community with compassion.

We value and affirm the many roles women hold - as wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and colleagues - and recognise the unique contributions they make in each sphere of life. We are committed to supporting and encouraging women as they participate and serve across their families, workplaces, and educational settings 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

“What a beautiful thing it is when women come together in their churches and in their homes around the Word of God! As they study the Word and journey life together, they are moved to an outward-looking lens of how they can share the gospel with others, having an impact for the kingdom.”

This is what Helen Vonow observed when the Lutheran Women in Mission come together for their 2025 Biannual Convention: ‘Growing in God’s Grace’ (2 Peter 3:18), on June 26–29, in Omaha, Nebraska.

We spoke with Sandra Rhein, Deaconess and Sacred Music Educator, LCMS Asia. Sandra, together with her husband Rob, a retired professor of music, recently travelled to Australia to present sessions at ‘Sacred Song,’ a Creative Word Fellowship Young Adults and Families camp.

In this interview, Sandra shares a little about herself, how she came to become a deaconess and how God has used her in that role in surprising ways.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

It is clear in the Scriptures that women have the same status as men before God, as members of God’s family by baptism (Galatians 3:25-29; 1 Peter 3:7). They are coheirs with Christ as God’s Son, sharing in a common inheritance as the Father’s dearly loved children.  

In worship, women receive the same Spirit (Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). Unlike the men-only synagogue, Jesus makes it clear that women may be disciples/students of the Word (Luke 8:1-3; Acts 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:11. See also the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42). 

Men and women have the same vocation of intercession for others together with Jesus (1 Timothy 2:1-10). In Acts 1:14 after Jesus’ ascension, the apostles “joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Polycarp described widows as ‘God’s altar’ in his letter to the Philippians for offering themselves and others in prayer to God. 

Women are given many gifts, spiritual and practical, in common with men, to be used to the glory of God. This may include prophesying (Acts 21:8-9, 1 Corinthians 11:5), the wise use of wealth (like Phoebe in Romans 16:1 and Nympha in Colossians 4:15, who were patrons of house churches), showing hospitality and witnessing to others about Jesus (John 4:9-42; 20:18). 

… The Bible has many examples of women serving God in a variety of ways. Some of these vocations and giftings are the same as those of men, while others are different but complementary. This is part of God’s plan for humanity, and especially for his church.