Section outline

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    Institute of Ministry · Course welcome

    Welcome to the Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry

    You are entering a serious pathway of theological study, spiritual formation and practical preparation for the diaconate. The purpose is not simply to teach you about ministry, but to help form the habits, judgement and accountable service that ministry requires.

    Study commitmentApproximately 440 guided hours across eleven modules.
    How it is deliveredOnline, cohort-based formation with a monthly rhythm, mentor contact and a Christmas–New Year recess.
    AssessmentQuizzes, written work, reflection, practical ministry evidence, discussion and final readiness review.
    Who may beginSelected adult learners preparing for diaconal ministry in compatible Western Rite and independent sacramental contexts.

    What this course is about

    The LDM brings Scripture, doctrine, Church history, sacramental theology, liturgy, the Daily Office, preaching, pastoral care, ethics, governance and mission into one integrated formation pathway. It is ancient in faith, practical in method and attentive to the realities of small communities, house churches, online ministry and bivocational service.

    Who this course is for

    It is for teachable, prayerful adults who are seriously discerning or preparing for diaconal ministry and who can sustain study alongside work, family and existing responsibilities. It serves learners from compatible jurisdictions; jurisdiction-specific material is confined to the clearly marked Unit 1.3.

    What you can expect

    You will read closely, write carefully, participate in cohort formation, use the Institute’s Scripture Study tool, complete varied assessments and build a portfolio of evidence. The standard is demanding because ordination is a matter of service and trust. Completion is an ecclesiastical formation award and does not itself guarantee ordination, faculties, appointment or employment.

    Before you begin

    Plan for a sustained weekly study rhythm, reliable internet access, a device suitable for written work and video calls, and honest communication when circumstances change. Read the course expectations and Formation Policies, and arrange any reasonable adjustment as early as possible.

    Support, accessibility and communication

    Your course pages explain where and how to ask academic, pastoral and technical questions. Monthly cohort contact and mentor support are part of the formation design. If disability, health, caring, language or access needs affect your study, contact institute@apostolicoldcatholic.org. The Formation Policies set out the Institute’s expectations, assessment processes, complaints and appeals.

    How to begin

    First complete Getting Started with the Institute of Ministry if you have not already done so; it is completed only once. Then work through the LDM Scripture Study Tool Orientation in this welcome section before opening Module 01.

    Required, assessed and further reading

    Your course guidance tells you what forms part of the assessed content and what is optional enrichment. Where a source table uses the key, ✓ means that teaching drawn from the source forms part of the assessed content; it does not mean that you must leave the course and read the linked source in full. ✕ means that the source is optional enrichment and is not assessed directly.

    Further reading is offered in the spirit of generous formation, not formal obligation. You will not be asked to reproduce specific content from an external source merely because it is linked. Those who engage with these materials often approach their work with greater depth, reflect with greater honesty and bring something richer to their formation. Think of them as an open door: the Institute has gone to the trouble of finding it for you, and there is much worth walking into.

    External links open on third-party websites. The Institute does not host, control or endorse third-party content, and links may change over time. If a link no longer works, a search using the source title and publishing body will usually locate it.

    I am Bishop Ashley Deutschmann, Bishop-Rector of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission and Course Director of the Institute of Ministry. I am glad to welcome you. Please begin carefully, ask when you need help, and give the work the honest attention it deserves.