Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva

Deaconess Pamela was commissioned and installed as deaconess at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on June 3, 2011. She was consecrated as deaconess at the cathedral in Kisumu, Kenya on June 22, 2011, in the midst of her deaconess sisters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya.

I“In addition to being a deaconess, she is a registered nurse. As a nurse, she brings her medical expertise and skills to every visit as she ministers to the needs of the whole person, body and soul. As a deaconess, her theological training helps her reach people with the hope that Christ gives to all believers. She points people to the cross of Christ, the one source of life, forgiveness, salvation, peace and joy. 

You may find her writings and other works, especially in connection with the people of Kenya at www.alwaysmercy.org.

What is a Deaconess?

“Deaconess,” from the Greek word diaknonos, means “servant.”  A deaconess of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a woman trained, called and commissioned by the church to provide diakonal care with special emphasis in works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the faith.  In this way, deaconesses serve Christ and His church, guiding toward Word and Sacraments ministry provided by pastors.  A Lutheran deaconess uses her theological knowledge, skills and training to express the Gospel through acts of human care in whatever capacity she fills (Deaconesses in the LCMS; The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod; World Relief and Human Care, 2009).


 
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36

Using Luke 6:36 as the basis for diakonal service, one can quickly see that mercy is at the heart of the office of deaconess. Deaconesses bring Christ’s mercy to those broken by sin, sickness, grief and pain. 

The Office of Deaconess is not so much about a person, but it is an identity rooted in Jesus Christ. It is a vocation of service to our Lord and His Church. This diakonal service began with Jesus as we read in Matthew 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Deaconesses are part of a long tradition of women who have served Christ by serving our neighbor through very specific acts of kindness and mercy. As Dr. Arthur Just, Jr., former head of deaconess studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne said, “The Office of Deaconess is a well worn mantle and a continuance of history that many have taken before you.” 

As mentioned, the Office of Deaconess has been in the Lutheran church since the 1830’s. However, many theologians believe that one of the first deaconesses may have been Phoebe, named by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans in chapter 16. And for many years, deaconesses were also nurses who tended to the poor and sick. While there have been changes with the work of the deaconesses, the heart or identity of this office has not changed. Again, it is our baptismal identity in Christ which gives rise to our living out this vocation of mercy.