Beginning in fall 2026, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) and the Lutheran Diacaonal Association (LDA) will offer a coordinated pathway connecting high-quality online theological education with LDA’s distinctive formation for diaconal ministry.
Through the partnership, LSTC will provide flexible online coursework through Project Starling, its asynchronous learning platform. LDA will guide learners through vocational discernment, spiritual formation, mentorship, community engagement, supervised ministry experiences, and preparation for lives of service, justice, spiritual care, and public witness.
“This partnership represents precisely the kind of collaboration we hope to cultivate across the church. We are stronger—and can accomplish more—when we work together,” said the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, president of LSTC.
What the Partnership Offers:
The theological coursework available through the partnership includes:
- Biblical Overview: Genesis to Revelation
- Church History
- Lutheran Confessions
- Lutheran Worship
- Spiritual Formation
- Religious Literacy and Intercultural Engagement
- Theology of Diaconal Ministry
- Boundaries Workshop
Because learners enter the program with different educational backgrounds and prior coursework, not every participant will be required to complete every course. LDA will review each learner’s preparation and determine the courses needed to fulfill the academic requirements of the LDA formation program.
LSTC will deliver the assigned courses online, maintain learners’ and their academic records. LDA will oversee the broader formation process and award the certificate after learners successfully complete all academic and formation requirements.
Who Can Participate:
The pathway is designed for people discerning consecrated diaconal ministry as an LDA deaconess or deacon. Prospective learners begin by applying to LDA and participating in its application and discernment process. Once accepted, learners will receive instructions for registering for their assigned LSTC courses.
Why This Partnership Matters:
The partnership brings together the distinctive strengths of both institutions. LSTC contributes theological depth, academic rigor, accessible online coursework, and the wisdom of faculty and ministry practitioners. LDA contributes its long history of preparing people for diaconal ministry and accompanying them as they discern and live out vocations of service.
The online format also makes theological education more accessible to learners balancing work, ministry, family, and other responsibilities. By providing the required coursework through one central platform, the partnership creates a clearer and more consistent educational experience while reducing the burden of locating courses through multiple institutions.
“We are grateful to LSTC and Project Starling for this partnership, which will provide access to high-quality online theological learning for our diaconal students. Having these courses available will enable our learners to have a central location to obtain their required coursework, easing a burden that has been a challenge to our students in the past,” said Deaconess Deb Lennox, director of student experience.
For more information about the LDA certificate and formation process, please contact Deaconess Deb Lennox at Debra.Lennox@valpo.edu or (219) 464-6925.