Institute of Ministry

Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry

The Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry is an intensive formation pathway for catechised, baptised and confirmed or chrismated Christians preparing for diaconal ministry in the independent sacramental and Western Rite tradition.

It is delivered online through the Institute of Ministry from February 2027 to February 2028, with eleven modules, a Christmas and New Year recess, approximately 440 hours of guided work, and a final readiness process before any candidate is recommended for ordination review.

Important: The LDM is an ecclesiastical formation award of the Institute of Ministry. It is not a university degree, state-accredited qualification, civil credential, ordination guarantee, or payment route to ministry authority.

LDM at a Glance

Award Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry (LDM)
Awarding body Institute of Ministry, operated by the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission NPC, Registration No. 2025/038188/08.
Award type Ecclesiastical formation award, not a state-accredited or university qualification.
For whom Catechised, baptised and confirmed or chrismated Christians preparing for diaconal ministry in the independent sacramental and Western Rite tradition.
Cohort opens 1 February 2027.
Duration February 2027 to February 2028, including a Christmas and New Year recess.
Workload Approximately 440 hours total, averaging around 10 hours per week.
Structure 5 sections, 11 modules, 44 units, normally one module per month.
Cohort size 5 to 8 candidates. If fewer than 5 candidates are confirmed, the intake may be deferred.
Delivery Online-first, cohort-based, through the Institute learning platform.
Pass standard 80 percent pass mark, with a maximum of two attempts per assessed unit.
Standard fee route US$250, payable in advance after selection and before enrolment is confirmed.
Payment plan By pre-approval only: US$30 deposit plus ten monthly payments of US$30, totalling US$330.
Ordination Completion prepares a candidate for final discernment and ordination review. It does not guarantee ordination.

What This Programme Forms

Word

Candidates are formed to handle Scripture responsibly, proclaim the Gospel reverently, prepare short homilies or teaching reflections, and teach with clarity and humility.

Liturgy

The course forms candidates in the Daily Office, the liturgical year, authorised liturgy, sacramental theology, reverence, vesture, vessels, and clear diaconal boundaries.

Charity

Pastoral care, confidentiality, referral, ethical conduct, boundaries, and servant leadership are treated as central to the deacon's vocation.

Community

The programme is shaped for small communities, house churches, dispersed ministry, online witness, bivocational service, and realistic local mission.

What the LDM Is Not

Not a general Christian-living course The LDM assumes mature Christian commitment and catechism-level understanding. It is not basic discipleship or conversion material.
Not priestly formation It does not form priests. A deacon does not preside at the Eucharist, absolve, confirm, or exercise functions proper to priestly or episcopal ministry.
Not a shortcut to ordination Successful completion leads to a formation outcome and may prepare a candidate for ordination review. The ordination decision belongs to the relevant bishop or jurisdiction.
Not a title-generating exercise The Institute is not interested in forming candidates whose primary motivation is status, recognition, or institutional advancement.
Not an external placement programme Practical formation is carried through the candidate's own community or ministry context. The Institute does not arrange external curacies or agency placements.

Formation Structure

Period Module
February 2027 Module 01 - Orientation, Attitude, Discipline, and Identity
March 2027 Module 02 - Scripture I: Old Testament, Covenant, and the People of God
April 2027 Module 03 - Scripture II: New Testament, Christ, Church, and Mission
May 2027 Module 04 - Creeds, the Lord's Prayer, and Church History
June 2027 Module 05 - Ethics, Ecumenism, and Teaching the Faith
July 2027 Module 06 - Sacramental Theology and Diaconal Boundaries
August 2027 Module 07 - Liturgy, Daily Office, and the Sanctification of Time
September 2027 Module 08 - The Diaconal Ministry of the Word
October 2027 Module 09 - Pastoral Care, Boundaries, and Clergy Ethics
November 2027 Module 10 - Small Groups, House Churches, and Local Mission
6 December 2027 to 16 January 2028 Christmas and New Year recess. No new module. Portfolio and practical-evidence catch-up.
Late January to February 2028 Module 11 - Integration, Practicum, and Readiness for the Diaconate

Assessment and Readiness

The LDM uses varied assessment because readiness for diaconal ministry cannot be measured by quizzes alone. Candidates build evidence across the whole programme.

Unit quizzes
Randomised questions, timed sittings, 80 percent pass mark, maximum two attempts.
Written reflections
Theological understanding, spiritual integration, and vocational maturity.
Scripture worksheets
Responsible use of the recommended interlinear study tool.
Case studies
Pastoral judgement, ethical reasoning, and diaconal boundaries.
Practical evidence
Gospel proclamation, Daily Office leadership, short homily or teaching reflection, and ministry planning.
Cohort discussion
Monthly participation, listening, theological charity, and shared formation.
Final portfolio
Collected evidence of readiness across the whole course.
Final oral review
Integrated readiness review by video call, leading to a recorded formation outcome.

Entry Requirements

Age 21 or older at the time of application.
Education Completed secondary education equivalent to Grade 12, South African Matric, GCSE/A-Level equivalent, or demonstrable practical formation experience accepted by the Course Director.
Language C1-level written and spoken English. The programme is delivered in English and is not an English-language course.
Christian standing Baptised and confirmed or chrismated, or equivalent mature Christian commitment accepted by the Course Director or the candidate's own jurisdiction.
Doctrine A basic grasp of Christian doctrine at catechism level.
Safeguarding Willingness to comply with safeguarding requirements, including satisfactory background checks where applicable.
References A personal character reference and a ministry or pastoral reference.
Technology Reliable internet, suitable computer or tablet, high computer literacy, camera and microphone, and ability to record and submit video assignments.

Selection and Enrolment

  1. Submit the online application form through the Institute's published application route.
  2. Complete the Vocational Readiness and Ministry Suitability Questionnaire.
  3. Upload the required supporting documents, including references.
  4. Attend a video interview with the Course Director or delegated Institute representative.
  5. Receive a final selection decision in writing.
  6. If accepted, complete enrolment by meeting any conditions of acceptance, confirming platform access, paying the fee or approved payment plan, and accepting the formation covenant.

Submitting an application does not create a fee obligation and does not guarantee admission. Payment at no stage creates a right to admission, progression, award, ordination, faculties, or ministry authority.

External Candidates and Partner Bodies

The Institute was built to serve the wider independent sacramental and Western Rite tradition, not only one jurisdiction. Candidates from compatible jurisdictions are welcome. Partner bodies may refer candidates for formation, provide their own jurisdiction-specific formation alongside the shared curriculum, or discuss a formal partnership arrangement.

Partner bodies remain responsible for their own canonical formation, rites, safeguarding requirements under local law, discernment processes, and ordination decisions. The Institute provides the curriculum, platform, assessment framework, cohort life, quality assurance process, and Institute award.

Before Applying

Read the full prospectus and the Institute of Ministry Formation Policies before applying. The LDM is serious formation for ministry, not a light course, a credential purchase, or a private spiritual project. There is no shame in waiting if the timing is not right. There is considerable difficulty in entering formation before you are truly ready.