NOW District Certification

For Word and Sacrament certification in the Northwest District LCMS the ten Northwest District level courses (listed below) are the standard course presentation leading to licensed deacon. The same ten courses are the foundational courses for DELTO (Distance Education Leading To Ordination).

Word and Service enrollees take five required standard courses: Old Testament Bible, New Testament Bible, Interpreting the Scripture, Christian Doctrine Summary, Mission Outreach in Context, but may substitute up to three equivalency courses on the remaining five standard courses: Basic Preaching, Fundamental Pastoral Care, Lutheran Worship I, Teaching the Faith, Church History I (Christ to 1500 AD). Course substitutions will be in the area of ministry emphasis (listed below).

Students have the option to receive academic credit for the ten standard courses equivalent to CU Portland catalog courses, and taught by instructors pre-approved as adjunct faculty. These courses are available to all Christians.

Ten Northwest District Level LAP/CUP/AMC Courses:

  • Old Testament Bible
  • New Testament Bible
  • Interpreting the Scripture
  • Christian Doctrine Summary
  • Mission Outreach in Context
  • Basic Preaching
  • Fundamental Pastoral Care
  • Lutheran Worship I
  • Teaching the Faith
  • Church History I (Christ to 1500 AD)

Word and Service Course Options:

  • Church Leadership Development
  • Evangelism & Assimilation
  • Peacemaking
  • History of Lutheranism & Church Polity
  • Personal Devotional Life
  • Bible Book Study (Concentration)
  • Christian Denominations and other varied faiths
  • Lutheran Confessions
  • Christian Doctrine II
  • Small Group Ministries (SG2)
  • Individualized Study: rural, youth, music, volunteerism, ethnic emphasis, other.

As revised 10-15-02