Force; SMP Program Review / Joint BOD Overture re: SMP Vicarage Timing; Certification of Post-Seminary Continuing Education Programs and Resources (Pastoral Formation Committee) A. Pastoral Formation Committee The roles and responsibilities of the Synod’s Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) are outlined in . The PFC is comprised of three voting members: the Chief Mission Officer of the Synod (Rev. Kevin Robson), who serves as chair, and the presidents of the Synod’s two seminaries (Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast). The executive director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education (Rev. Dr. James Baneck) serves as the PFC’s nonvoting advisory member. [1]
B. The LCMS Is Committed to a Well-Formed, Highly Educated Clergy A robust program of preparatory and continuing education is integral to the effective formation of future pastors (; ; ; ; ), as well as for those who continue in service to the church in the Office of the Holy Ministry (OHM). On the surface, it may seem simple to forgive sin, teach the faith, baptize, and distribute the body and blood of Christ. However, these things are not mere functions to be carried out in a formulaic fashion; they are the very handling, application, and delivery of the holy things of God for the eternal salvation of souls, of which pastors are stewards () and held accountable to God (). Men training for service in the OHM are taught to interpret the Word of God, preach and teach God’s Word, and apply God’s Word to the myriad conditions of the individual members of the flock to which the Lord has sent them by His divine call. Handling and applying God’s eternal Word in Law and Gospel rightly distinguished is an awesome responsibility that is exercised in humility and wisdom. For instance, who rightly receives the Sacrament? How does one give pastoral care to a broken marriage? How does a faithful pastor apply God’s Word
to issues of sexual identity? How does one minister God’s Word to a person suffering crisis or grief? A pastor constantly draws on his formation—having learned and continuing to learn the Scriptures, doctrine, church history, the arts of preaching and teaching, pastoral care and practice, and the liturgical life of the church. Pastoral formation in the LCMS comes from an entire body of believers that accepts without reservation the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastoral formation in the LCMS comes from the church that will “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith …, work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism …, and heresy” ( 1). Pastoral formation in the LCMS is undertaken by an assembly of sinner-saints who “join with one another in the Synod to support one another and to work together in carrying out their commonly adopted objectives” (). Pastoral formation in the LCMS comes from those who have made a solemn covenant in love, that they “agree to uphold the confessional position of the Synod () and to assist in carrying out the objectives of the Synod (), which are the objectives of the members themselves. While congregations of the Synod are self-governing (), they, and also individual members, commit themselves as members of the Synod to act in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod under which they have agreed to live and work together and which the congregations alone have authority to adopt or amend through conventions” (). [2]
C. 2019 Assignments to the Pastoral Formation Committee The 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in July 2019 (Tampa, Florida), adopted the following resolutions, which assigned certain tasks to the Synod’s Pastoral Formation Committee.
C.1. 2019 Resolution 6-02 “To Promote Residential Seminary Education as the Preferred Option for the Preparation of Men for Pastoral Ministry.” Its final Resolved reads: “That the recommendations of the 2016 Res. 1303 Task Force be commended to the Pastoral Formation Committee for evaluation and appropriate follow up. The PFC will report their evaluation to the 2022 convention.” The 2016 Res. 13-03 Task Force’s twelve recommendations included review, evaluation, and recommendations with respect to the vitality and use of the seminaries, accreditation, and fully financially supported seminary education for students. These topics are routinely addressed as a matter of the ongoing strategic and operational considerations at each seminary and are summarized in the seminaries’ respective institutional reports (located elsewhere in this convention workbook), which address matters pertaining to pastoral formation, strategic planning, financial matters, and analysis and assessment of the Synod’s various routes to ministry. Many of these topics have also been addressed by the PFC over the course of the last quadrennium. [3] The PFC here specifically highlights the following:
C.1.a. Vitality Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), are both world-renowned seminaries and leaders in confessional Lutheran theology. These two seminaries are academically and financially sound institutions of pastoral, deaconess, and continuing-education formation. Col-lab orating with the Synod’s Set Apart to Serve church work recruitment initiative, the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education and the two seminaries are exploring new ways to create a culture of recruitment for future pastors and other church workers in the LCMS.
One of the ten objectives of the Synod ( 3) is to recruit and train pastors and other professional church workers. Both seminaries are actively recruiting students for pastoral and deaconess ministry.
C.1.b. Mutuality in the Relationship of Synod and Seminaries
The Synod has resolved (2019 Res. 6-01) to support and participate in a comprehensive multi year church worker recruitment initiative. Currently, the Synod, seminaries, and other Synod stakeholders are collaborative ly aligned around this effort: Set Apart to Serve LCMS church worker recruitment. A full update on Set Apart to Serve is contained in the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education report (a subsection within the report of the LCMS Chief Mission Officer) in this convention workbook.
The Synod supports its seminaries through disbursements of funds from corporate Synod to each seminary. (The term “corporate Synod” refers to the nonprofit legal entity headquartered at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis and incorporated in the state of Missouri.) Direct subsidies from corporate Synod and Forward in Remembrance earnings, combined with collaborative advancement efforts such as the Joint Seminary Fund and the Global Seminary Initiative, result in substantial support for the seminaries each year. At the same time, the seminaries support Synod through a substantial commitment of human resources in the implementation of various mission and ministry programs and initiatives, both domestic and international. The result is a strong, healthy, and mutually supportive relationship.
C.2. 2019 Resolution 6-03A “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program.” Res. 6-03A’s second and fifth Resolves are of particular importance for this PFC report: • “That the PFC work to enhance the curriculum and standards of the SMP program between the two seminaries, in light of the curriculum and standards of the residential seminaries, including instruction in biblical languages.”
- “That the Council of Presidents in coordination with the PFC draft guidelines and training to enhance the mentoring and supervision of specific ministry pastors, taking into account the wide variety of abilities of pastors and the contexts in which they serve, to assist district presidents, circuit visitors, and supervising pastors in supporting the SMP pastors under their care.”
C.1.c. Alignment of Synod and Seminary Strategic Plans
In 2019, the Synod in convention again affirmed its seven mission priorities, the second of which speaks directly to the relationship of Synod and seminaries: “Support and expand theological education.” The primary responsibility of the two seminaries is to supply the LCMS with faithful, well-formed pastors. and 3.10.5.1 state that “each seminary of the Synod, with its president and faculty, shall be governed by a board of regents, subject to general policies set by the Synod. … The board of regents of each theological seminary shall consider as one of its primary duties the defining and fulfilling of the mission of the seminary within the broad assignment of the Synod.” Within this framework, both seminaries have established strategic plans that pertain to the mission, vision, and core values of each institution.
C.2.a. Routes to Ordained (Pastoral) Ministry
Currently, there are seven Synod-authorized routes for men to serve in the OHM (that is, the pastoral office) as a roster ed individual member of the LCMS under the category of “minister of religion—ordained.” For a complete description of each route, see Appendix, “The Synod’s Routes to Ordained (Pastoral) Ministry.”
C.1.d. Confessional Alignment
The residential routes to ordination in the LCMS:
While the Synod and seminaries each have their own unique goals, emphases, and strategic plans, collaborative alignment exists between the three in our life together as Synod. As “agencies” ( [a][1]) of Synod, the seminaries accept without reservation the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions (). As a foundation of the seminaries’ plans, Synod’s confessional standard is reflected in the mission, vision, and core value statements of both seminaries. The strategic documents for CSL use the following language: “faithfulness to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions” and “to be faithfully Lutheran.” The documents for CTSFW use this language: “distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship.”
1. Master of Divinity (MDiv) at CSL and CTSFW
C.1.e. Recruitment and Training Alignment
Since the formation of the Synod in 1847, a primary purpose and priority of the LCMS has been “to support the establishment and maintenance of theological seminaries, colleges, universities, and other institutions of learning to train ministers of religion—ordained, ministers of religion—commissioned, and laity for service in the Evangelical Lutheran Church” (Articles of Incorporation, Article II d). Training pastors for the church continues to be of highest priority to the LCMS to this day.
2. Residential Alternate Route (RAR) at CSL and CTSFW 3. General Pastor Certificate (GPC) at CSL, an option available to men who have completed the SMP program. (GPC is an extension of the SMP path. This can be completed as a residential route in two years or as a non residential program in four years.) The non residential routes to ordination in the LCMS: 4. Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at CSL and CTSFW (CTSFW SMP Es E) 5. Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) at CSL 6. Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) at CSL 7. Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) at Concordia University, Irvine, California, under the authorization of the CSL board of regents, using defined working roles, responsibilities, and protocols with CSL A final route to ordained (pastoral) ministry in the LCMS: 8. Completion of an approved colloquy program (2019 ; 2.7.5).
Because the Synod’s approved colloquy programs and related procedures and protocols do not pertain to the assignments given to the PFC, they are not specifically addressed in the PFC’s current report and/or recommendations.
own programs to prepare future professional church workers for service are not reflecting the mutual covenants established in the Synod’s bylaws, policies, and prior resolutions. For instance, in situations such as these:
C.2.b. Qualification for First Call
- “The Office of the Holy Ministry has been instituted by Christ Himself as a gift to His Church (John 20:19–23; Eph. 4:11–16). Through the Christian congregation, as the holder of all churchly authority, God calls qualified men to fill this divinely established office and sends them as His ministers to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to administer the Sacraments publicly in the stead of Christ and by His command, with accountability both to God and to the Church (Matt. 10:1–5; 28:18–20; Rom. 10:14–15; 1 Cor. 11:23–25; 1 Tim. 2:1–12)” (LSB Agenda, Holy Ministry, 155).
Individuals are trained at the district level to carry out the distinctive functions of the OHM (whether ordained or not ordained) without having LCMS roster ed ordained minister status, or as a preparatory step to being granted LCMS roster ed ordained minister status.
- District-level training uses platforms and preparation programs not previously reviewed or approved under established Synod procedures.
- District-level training uses theological instructors who have not gone through the aforementioned prior approval process.
God instituted the OHM to forgive sins in the stead and by the command of our Lord Christ Jesus (; – 47). Forgiveness of sin is given through the preaching and teaching of the Word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. Publicly granting forgiveness in the Absolution (or withholding such forgiveness) is a great responsibility, properly wielded with diligently applied skill and care, because it pertains to the eternal salvation of God’s people. With this responsibility necessarily comes the ability to correctly interpret God’s Word, rightly apply Law and Gospel, exercise precision and love in orthodox doctrine, preach and teach in a sound manner, and consistently apply steadfast, faithful pastoral care. Because of this great responsibility in the stewardship of these holy gifts of God, the church strives to fully prepare and form her pastors with the best of her God-given strengths, capacities, and resources. Through the preaching of the Word, the Holy Spirit creates saving faith and gives eternal salvation to His people (– 17). Therefore, the LCMS collectively prescribes and maintains the standards by which a man is certified and called into the Holy Ministry according to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions (AC V, XIV). Men receiving their first call into the Holy Ministry in the LCMS must satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study within one of the Synod-authorized routes and both be declared qualified for a first call and recommended by the faculty of either CSL or CTSFW. They will have thus received a diploma or certificate from either CSL or CTSFW (or have fulfilled the requirements established by the colloquy committee of the Synod). The seminary faculties (or the colloquy committee) must declare each candidate qualified and recommended for pastoral ministry in the church (–2.8.2). In our life together, all Synod members have agreed that every one of our roster ed ordained ministers be formally certified for pastoral ministry, either by one of the Synod’s two seminaries or the Synod’s colloquy committee. According to , “The Synod is not merely an advisory body in relation to a district, but establishes districts in order more effectively to achieve its objectives and carry on its activities,” and , “A district is the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod. Resolutions of the Synod are binding upon the districts.” It is inconsistent with the LCMS Constitution and Bylaws for an LCMS district to develop and/or promote new or amended routes to ministry apart from the procedures and approvals to which the Synod—in its bylaws, policies, and resolutions—has previously committed itself. The theological faculties of the Synod’s universities and seminaries are intentionally and painstakingly vetted through a well-defined, non optional prior approval process ( and 3.10.6.7.3). Districts offering their
Life together as Synod suffers under such scenarios. More specifically to the assignments given to the PFC and addressed in this report, districts developing and offering pastoral formation programs positioned as alternatives to Synod-authorized routes to the OHM are acting contrary to –3.10.4.5 and the roles, responsibilities, and oversight of the PFC as defined there in. –3.10.4.5 give the PFC the responsibility to review, assess, coordinate, support, make suggestions for improvement, and monitor all routes to ordained ministry in the LCMS, except for colloquy. (LCMS colloquy programs, including attendant policies, procedures, and protocols, are under the supervision of the office of the first vice-president of Synod.) Any new or amended routes to ordination in the Synod must first be reviewed and recommended by the PFC, followed by the PFC’s consultation with the two seminary boards of regents. Before any new or amended route is enacted, it must then receive final approval by a convention resolution of Synod.
C.2.c. Route to Ordination as a Specific Ministry Pastor Many of the assignments given to the PFC and addressed in this report are in consideration of various aspects of the Synod’s SMP program. The route to ordination as a specific ministry pastor was established by the Synod in convention upon its adoption of 2007 Res. 5-01B. In broad contrast to a “general ministry pastor” (GMP), the SMP was designated for men to be formed and educated for a specific ministry context through non residential (distance) education. SMP was designed to “combine a commitment to faithfulness to a Lutheran theological confession with a missionary perspective and that is tailored to the preparation of men for service in specific kinds of ministries.” This resolution also states, “In addition to the original objective of the Distance Education Leading To Ordination (DELTO) program to provide pastoral ministry where full-time ministry cannot be maintained, such specific ministries will include such categories as church planter, staff pastor, and others as need arise.” Thus, in 2007, the SMP program was created with an expanded purpose beyond the former DELTO program. The use of SMP for purposes beyond the former DELTO purposes has subsequently raised significant concern and debate because of the limited scope of SMP formation. The 2013 Res. 5-04B requested the SMP Committee to assess the program and make recommendations, noted the concerns and debate, and resolved, “That district presidents not approve specific ministry sites that could reasonably be expected to support a general [ministry] pastor or sites where a minister of religion—commissioned could fulfill the duties pending reception of the recommendations of the SMP Committee.” The 2019 convention assignments to the PFC Committee and this PFC report stand as further elaborations of this effort to come to grips with the strengths, weaknesses, and best use of SMP within the LCMS. The PFC continues to study, review, and seek conversation with the seminaries and the broader church regarding the SMP program and will make further recommendations accordingly. Questions were raised by 2019 Res. 6-03 regarding certain aspects of the SMP route to ordination. It directed the PFC to address these questions and to make recommendations concerning them. The PFC here notes that it might be said that every route to ordination in the LCMS was designed and approved to meet a specific mission and ministry need. Yet, more narrowly speaking, “A ‘specific ministry pastor’ is a minister of religion—ordained who has completed the requirements for service as a specific ministry pastor and has been examined by one of the Synod’s seminaries, has received a regular call, and has been placed by the Council of Presidents into a specific Word and Sacrament ministry context. He is eligible to serve only in that specific ministry context for which he has been trained and may not be offered or accept a call for ministry for which he has not been certified as determined by his district president. He shall serve under the supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor” (; emphasis added). A specific ministry pastor remains under supervision throughout the entire course of his ministry. Because he remains under supervision and because he “has been formed in part by and for a specific ministry context, he may not be placed or called into ecclesiastical roles that exercise pastoral oversight outside the context of his call” ([a]). Therefore, an SMP is not eligible to serve as a voting delegate to a national convention of the Synod, hold any elected or appointed office on the district or national level, supervise vicars or other pastors, or serve as a circuit visitor (.[b]). By way of comparison in educational-course content, the CSL Master of Divinity (MDiv) curriculum is comprised of a total 98 semester hours. The CSL SMP curriculum stands at 32 credit hours (or 16 courses). The CSL SMP curriculum is comprised of 8 exegetical (English, not biblical language) credit hours, 2 historical credit hours, 12 practical credit hours, and 10 systematics credit hours. The CTSFW MDiv curriculum stands at 123 quarter hours. The CTSFW SMP curriculum stands at 48 quarter hours (or 16 courses). The CTSFW SMP curriculum includes 15 exegetical (English, not biblical language) quarter hours, 3 historical quarter hours, 15 practical quarter hours, and 15 systematics quarter hours. Each of the 16 courses in the CSL and CTSFW SMP programs is taught at a master’s degree level. Students receive grades and a transcript as in the seminaries’ other pastoral formation programs. This enables CSL and CTSFW to transfer SMP credits into their respective MDiv, GPC, or AR programs should an SMP student or SMP pastor desire to undertake additional education in order to achieve general pastor status. SMP courses are taught mainly online, with a one-week required on-campus intensive experience each year. During the course of the SMP student’s studies, the student is supervised/mentored by a local LCMS pastor who is reviewed and approved by the seminary based upon the district president’s selection and recommendation. This supervisor/mentor is a roster ed minister of religion—ordained
member of the LCMS, a general ministry pastor who ordinarily holds an MDiv degree or its equivalent. SMP vicarage begins concurrently with the initiation of coursework at the seminary. When the SMP student successfully completes his eighth course, at the conclusion of his second year of studies, the student may be certified by the faculty for first call, and the first call and assignment process begins with the calling congregation, culminating in the assignment of first call by the LCMS Council of Presidents. When the SMP student successfully completes his ninth course (at the beginning of his third year of studies), ordination may be authorized. The student is then expected to complete a remaining seven SMP courses following ordination. When the SMP student completes the required total 16 courses, he receives a Certificate of Completion from the seminary. As of January 2023, a cumulative total of 481 SMPs have been ordained since 2010 (first SMP cohorts having commenced studies in 2008), with distribution among the Synod’s 35 districts as follows: • Michigan (56)
- Texas (47)
- Pacific Southwest (36)
- Southeastern (31)
- Northern Illinois (26)
- Florida-Georgia (24)
- Rocky Mountain (24)
- Northwest (23)
- California-Nevada-Hawaii (17)
- Missouri (16)
- Minnesota South (14)
- Ohio (14)
- South Wisconsin (14)
- English (13)
- Indiana (13)
- SELC (13)
- Atlantic (12)
- Southern (12)
- Eastern (11)
- Nebraska (10)
- Mid-South (8)
- North Wisconsin (8)
- Kansas (7)
- Iowa West (6)
- New England (5)
- New Jersey (5)
- South Dakota (4)
- Oklahoma (4)
- Minnesota North (3)
- Montana (2)
- Iowa East (2)
- Central Illinois (1)
- Southern Illinois (0)
- North Dakota (0)
- Wyoming (0)
Twelve of the 35 LCMS districts currently have 10 percent or more of their pastors roster ed as SMP: • SELC (19%)
- Southeastern (15%)
- Michigan (13%)
- Atlantic (12%)
- Eastern (12%)
- Florida-Georgia (12%)
- California-Nevada-Hawaii (11%)
- Northwestern (11%)
- Rocky Mountain (11%)
- New England (10%)
- Pacific Southwest (10%)
(3) program directors from both seminaries for each route to ordination, and (4) the faculties of both seminaries in conversation with the seminaries’ administrative leadership.
C.2.e. Observations 1. Over the course of the Synod’s history, the LCMS has continually developed and refined its residential and non residential routes to ordination in order to address the needs of the church as they have arisen and dynamically changed through time. At any given point in time, it is incumbent upon the Synod in her life together fully to utilize each route to accomplish that route’s intended outcome(s), as mutually agreed and communicated (with intention toward clarity) in the Synod’s Bylaws, policies, and protocols. Where clarity of any route’s intended outcome(s) is lacking, the PFC should take corrective measures toward resolving such ambiguity. 2. The Synod’s non residential pastoral formation programs are aimed at limited specific contexts and intended outcome(s). They are not intended to become “easier” paths to eventually achieving general ministry pastor roster status.
3. The Synod developed its residential and non residential routes to ordination prayer fully and carefully. The Synod continually assesses and evaluates each route for possible • Texas (10%) improvements. These reviews periodically result in recom There are currently 382 active SMPs in the LCMS, which is 7 mended curriculum adjustments and revisions made by the percent of the total number of active ordained (5,653). Of those 382 seminaries’ faculties. The standard for such adjustments and active SMPs, 70 (18 percent) have had their first call end and then revisions continues to be fidelity to the Synod’s confessional taken another “pastoral” call. standard (), a commitment to thoroughly form Table 1 summarizes the number of SMP students who either students for a high degree of excellence in service to God’s started or completed the SMP program and subsequently enrolled people from the Office of the Holy Ministry, in the context of in or completed a route to LCMS general ministry pastor roster church and world and for the conveyance of the faith to the status. generations of God’s saints. [4] Table 1: SMP to General Ministry Pastor Status
C.2.d. PFC Process to Address 2019 Res. 6-03A Assignment In fulfillment of the PFC’s aforementioned assignments, the PFC reviewed each current route to ordination in the LCMS, including its intended purpose, curriculum, and various data with respect to enrollment trends and outcomes. Input was requested and received on several occasions from (1) the Joint Seminary Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the Boards of Regents of both seminaries, (2) the LCMS Council of Presidents,
C.2.f. Conclusions 1. The PFC and seminaries maintain that there is great value in residential formation and continue to encourage all prospective students considering preparation for the pastoral office to enroll in full-time theological study and pastoral formation in community at our seminaries. The benefits of residential formation include being formed by a daily liturgical life of the Word, living and learning within an in car national face-to-face relational culture, immediate access to professors and peers, and personal investment in the continued fostering of a Synod culture that extends far beyond limited years in direct seminary studies. 2. The PFC and seminaries affirm the proposition that “the most complete means of preparing a man for the general responsibilities of the pastoral office and a lifetime of service is the residential master of divinity route at the Synod’s seminaries” (2013 Res. 5-14A Task Force and 2016 Res. 6-03). And furthermore, “that residential seminary education is the preferred option for the preparation of men for pastoral ministry” (2019 Res. 6-02). 3. The PFC intends to pursue further study, evaluation, and where appropriate, action with respect to the formation of the Synod’s pastors. In the establishment of the Specific Ministry Pastor program, 2007 Res. 5-01B states, “[The] theological education [of an SMP] is formed within the context of their specific ministry and does not represent the breadth and depth of theology and ecclesiology that forms a basis for pastoral oversight beyond the local level.” Also, the SMP “is eligible to serve only in that specific ministry context for which he has been trained and may not be offered or accept a call for ministry for which he has not been certified as determined by his district president” (). In view of these statements and in consideration of the wider scope of the universal church, the PFC intends to explore the following concepts: a. Means to assist congregations in overcoming the financial barriers that prohibit them from supporting pastoral candidates from within their congregation to complete a residential MDiv degree. b. Means to call associate MDiv pastors who are equipped with a “breadth and depth of theology and ecclesiology” (2007 Res. 5-01B). c. Benefits of preparing men not only for one limited place or context but also for a lifetime of ministry in which God may call them to new places and contexts. d. Ways to foster an appreciation for the formative benefits of a pastoral ministry student stepping away from a current local life context, studying at a residential seminary, heeding the call to go and serve, relocating when God extends a divine call, and serving within the wider context of church and Synod. e. Pros and cons of determining a minimum age requirement for the SMP program, while encouraging young men to pursue an MDiv, considering the many years that they might serve in the pastoral ministry without any restrictions.
C.2.g. Recommendations 1. The PFC recommends that the Synod explore, develop, and implement means to encourage and assist men of every ethnicity toward residential formation through the MDiv program. 2. The PFC recommends that the Synod direct it to prepare a report to the 2026 Synod convention that evaluates and makes recommendations pertaining to non-LCMS seminary, district, and local congregational programs of ministerial formation that have surfaced within the LCMS in recent years.
This evaluation should also include a thorough assessment of the benefits of residential (in-person) pastoral formation over against non residential (distance learning) methods of training those who carry out the distinctive functions of the Office of the Holy Ministry. 3. The PFC recommends continuation of the guaranteed tuition support for the residential MDiv program offered by the seminaries that began in the 2018–2019 academic year. 4. The PFC recommends that the SMP route be understood and positioned as the “exception” and not become the “principal rule” with respect to the Synod’s available routes for the preparation and ordination of her pastors. The residential MDiv route should continue to be positioned and understood as the Synod’s strongly preferred route to ordination, supplying LCMS congregations with men who are roster ed as general ministry pastors, men who are formally and thoroughly equipped under the MDiv route of in-depth foundational seminary formation in exegetical acumen with biblical languages, systematic theology and apologetics, historical knowledge, and extensive pastoral and practical training and experience from a consortium of approved expert faculty and theologians. The SMP route, with its less-rigorous program of pastoral formation, was conceived and accordingly designed and authorized by the Synod in convention to address exceptional, tightly defined individual contexts in which a called and ordained pastor is urgently needed in order to establish, maintain, and/or strengthen the church’s mission and ministry, while also allowing that in many instances it is not practically feasible for a congregation to call, install (with ordination in the case of candidates recently graduated from seminary), and adequately provide support (compensation, benefits, housing, etc.) for a general ministry pastor to carry out the duties of the Office of the Holy Ministry in certain circumstances. A closely related (even overlapping) causal factor driving the creation of the SMP route was the Synod’s desire to be responsive to dynamically emerging congregational mission opportunities in the U.S. Acknowledging all of the foregoing, the Synod, in view of its commitment to and appreciation of a thoroughgoing program of pastoral formation, intentionally specified that every SMP pastor, even while serving in such exceptional, tightly defined individual contexts, is to work under the permanent, direct supervision of a general ministry pastor and thus is never to carry out his duties in the pastoral office in an independent manner. Men who are formed, called, and ordained under the SMP route are to serve in exceptional, tightly defined contexts, but after a 16-year history of experience with the SMP program, the PFC is of the opinion that the Synod would now benefit greatly from far better clarity with respect to exactly what constitutes such contexts today. Generally speaking, such contexts should be thoughtfully identified and assessed by the congregation in careful consultation with the district (especially the district president). The determination to use the SMP route should not be a “choice made among route-to-ordination alternatives” by a man only desiring to serve somewhere, even in his local context, in the pastoral office. In creating the SMP route and acknowledging the role that distance learning would play in its implementation, the Synod’s objective was not simply to offer a non residential distance learning alternative to the residential MDiv route. Some argue that the SMP route offers significant “pluses”
to student participants (e.g., preservation of secular employment opportunities, flexibility and convenience, elimination of relocation hassles and expense, and asynchronous instructional environments) that might increase the likelihood of a man enrolling in the program. Arguments for the expansion of the SMP route based on these presumed advantages to the individual student, however, fall flat when the aforementioned churchwide considerations are taken into account. According to the Synod’s intentional design and authorization, the SMP route neither has been nor should be the “typical” LCMS route to service as an ordained minister. Going forward, the Synod will most faithfully maintain the integrity of her confessional commitment to the Office of the Holy Ministry by remaining steadfastly alert to any emerging trend indicating inappropriate displacement of general ministry pastorates by SMP pastorates, and take proactive, timely steps (both system wide and in local individual contexts) to prevent such a drift.
5. In keeping with the aforementioned desire to achieve greatly improved clarity within the Synod’s congregations and among congregation members and church workers with respect to a firm, comprehensive definition of appropriate contexts for the service of SMP pastors, the PFC recommends that the Synod direct it to thoroughly identify and evaluate options and rationales and prepare a report to the 2026 Synod convention that proposes such a definition. 6. Only under the premise of the Synod’s concurrence on the understanding set forth in the preceding Recommendation 4, the PFC recommends that there be no change to the timing of SMP vicarage and ordination as currently practiced in the Synod. Valid, yet differing, opinions and arguments were expressed by the faculty of both seminaries concerning the timing of SMP vicarage and ordination. These arguments include the integrity of the call according to AC V and XIV, varying practices through LCMS history, qualification and fitness for the pastoral ministry, and the consciences of God’s people. While a man is to be personally and theologically qualified for the office (; ; ; ), he is also to have a rightly ordered call to publicly teach in the church or administer the Sacraments (AC XIV). The PFC also notes that in the Synod’s history and life together, there have been and continue to be instances in which MDiv vicars serve in Word and Sacrament ministry roles under limited, tightly defined pre authorizations and coordinative oversight between district presidents and seminary representatives. 7. Under the same premise of the Synod’s concurrence on the understanding set forth in the preceding Recommendation 4, the PFC also recommends the following: a. That biblical languages not be made a mandatory part of the SMP curriculum. To add biblical languages to the SMP program would extend the SMP program of studies from a current four years to six. There is historical precedent in the LCMS for not requiring prior training in biblical languages for candidacy and ordination in every case. b. That SMP students during their service as vicars—that is, in the first two years of SMP study—be consistently addressed and referenced as “vicar” and not as “pastor.” Words count. Consistent use of nomenclature lends increased clarity of understanding to the Synod and her congregations’ members about the SMP formation program and its distinctiveness from the Synod’s general pastoral ministry route. Such clarity and distinctiveness is maintained when congregations and congregation members acknowledge the difference between the roles and responsibilities of those who have been publicly called and ordained in the church and those who have not. c. That seminaries, districts, congregations, and pastors should consistently encourage and strive to make provisions for prospective SMP students to consider entering instead into an MDiv or Residential Alternate Route program. 8. The PFC recommends that all non residential routes to pastoral ministry not be consolidated under the SMP program. The Appendix describes the purpose and distinction of each route toward ordination. Because of the distinct purposes of each route, it would not be strategically prudent or operationally feasible to place all routes under SMP. 9. The PFC endorses the Specific Ministry Pastor Supervision Plan adopted by the Council of Presidents in response to Resolution 6-03A, authored and modeled by the LCMS Pacific Southwest District. This plan includes the following: a. Consistent, timely identification of the supervising pastor for every SMP. Each SMP will work with his district president to establish and implement a continuous working relationship with an SMP supervising pastor. The SMP supervising pastor may or may not be the pastor who served as the SMP’s mentor during the course of SMP studies. Should a change in the SMP supervising pastor be necessary at any point, a new SMP Supervision Information Form is to be submitted to the district president for prompt action ( and COP Policy). b. Completion of an annual SMP Supervision Information Form and timely submission of the same to the district president. c. Annual submission of an SMP Supervision Plan to the district president. The SMP supervising pastor must review and sign off on this plan. The written SMP Supervision Plan will include the following: i.
Regular meetings with the supervising pastor to discuss sermon writing and delivery, ministry challenges, leadership and polity, and doctrine and practice.
ii. Faithful participation in circuit winkels, district pastors conferences, and annual meetings with the district president for all district SMP and colloquy pastors and supervising pastors. iii. A written Spiritual and Personal Growth Plan, which includes Bible and devotional reading, theological and doctrinal readings (Book of Concord, Law and Gospel, etc.), conference and seminar attendance, continuing-education podcasts, and online sermon studies (i.e., those offered by the seminaries). iv. Congregational Mission and Ministry Plan, which includes objectives, outcomes, methods, timeline, and collaboration with supervisor and congregation.
C.3. 2019 Resolution 6-04 “To Support, Encourage, and Expect Continuing Education forall Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Pastors.” Res. 6-04’s sixth Resolved reads: “That the Pastoral Formation Committee consider the establishment of a method to certify post-seminary continuing education programs and resources offered by organizations, institutions, and individuals outside of the Synod, her seminaries and Concordia University System institutions, or by other organizations not owned or under the supervision or oversight of the Synod, and the committee deliver its evaluation and accompanying recommendations in its report and, if appropriate, enable overtures to the 2022 Synod convention.” Pastors in the LCMS are encouraged and expected to engage in continuing education throughout their pastoral ministry. Congregations are encouraged to support their pastors’ continuing education financially and provide the time needed for such opportunities. Every pastor has a document on file at his district office called a Self-Evaluation Tool (SET), in which he reports his continuing education experiences. The SET lists continuing education in four categories: courses offered by Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS), courses offered by LCMS seminaries, courses offered by other higher education institutions, and other qualified educational experiences. Within these categories, the pastor is asked to identify course title, institution, dates, number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and degree (if applicable). He is also asked to identify what skills were developed or what areas of continuing education these experiences offered: exegetical, historical, systematic, preaching, teaching, outreach, pastoral care, administration, worship, leadership, or ministerial well-being.
C.3.1. Recommendations
The Pastoral Formation Committee recommends and endorses the following practices concerning the method to certify post-seminary continuing-education programs, resources, and participation: 1. All qualified CEUs are self-reported on the pastor’s SET form. Pastors are responsible for obtaining their own CEU certificates and awarded CEUs. 2. SET forms are annually reviewed and managed by the district office. 3. All LCMS pastors begin their continuing education experience with PALS; CEUs for self-reporting are provided by the PALS office. 4. Pastors are encouraged to consider LCMS seminaries and universities as their first choices for continuing education opportunities. 5. Pastors are encouraged to participate in continuing-education experiences offered by the LCMS International Center, agencies, RSOs, and other LCMS-sanctioned entities, which include the following: a. Making Disciples for Life conferences, LERT training, Life Ministry, Every One His Witness, short-term missions, etc., as offered by the LCMS Office of National Mission, LCMS Office of International Mission, and LCMS Office of Pastoral Education. b. District workshops and conferences; Concordia Plan Services, LCEF, LWML, LHM, and CPH educational offerings. c. RSO educational offerings from such organizations as Doxology, Ambassadors of Reconciliation, Concordia
Lutheran Ministries, Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission, Lutheran Counseling Services, Lutheran Senior Services, Lutheran Special Education Ministries, and The Lutheran Home for the Aged Association. 6. Qualification for CEUs not obtained through an LCMS-related institution or entity is granted by the district president and listed under “Other qualified education experiences” on the pastor’s SET form.
D. Conclusion
The Pastoral Formation Committee remains committed to fulfilling its duties as prescribed in and warmly welcomes all questions and inquiries concerning its responsibilities and assignments. “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (). Kevin D. Robson, Chairman
End Notes 1. A number of other subject matter experts were consulted in preparations leading up to the issuance of this report, including Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus (former interim president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis [CSL]), Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson (CSL Specific Ministry [SMP] Program Director), Rev. Dr. Joel Okamoto (former CSL Exegetical Theology Department Chairman), Rev. Dr. Carl Fic kens cher II (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne [CTSFW] Director of Pastoral Formation Programs), Rev. Dr. John Sias (the Secretary of Synod), the seminary joint Boards of Regents, the Joint Seminary Advisory Committee (Rev. Dr. Todd Peperkorn, Mr. Mark Stern, Rev. Max Mons, Dr. Ron Garwood, Mr. Leo Mac Kay, and Rev. William Cwirla), seminary faculties, and the LCMS Council of Presidents Designated Committee (LCMS Ohio District President Rev. Dr. Kevin Wilson, LCMS Kansas District President Rev. Justin Panzer, and LCMS Pacific Southwest District President Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson). 2. For a brief history of pastoral formation, see Part III of 13-03 Task Force Report, 2019 Workbook, 377–81. 3. For the full report of the 2016 13-03 Task Force, see Convention Workbook 2019, 375–84. 4. The following are examples of curriculum review, adjustments, and revisions. EIIT at CSL went through major revision and was approved by the CSL faculty on May 10, 2019, and CSL Board of Regents on May 16, 2019. SMP has also gone through several updates at CSL. In 2017–2018, on-campus intensives were standardized as a part of the program. In 2019–2020, Counseling and Listening Skills were added to PRA411 (Intro to PMin), Law/Gospel Counseling Approaches were added to SYS413 (Lutheran Distinctions), Church Administration Formation was added to PRA416 (Pastor as Leader and Theologian), and Lutheran Service Book was added as a required purchase for PRA412 (Worship). Further assessment and revision is currently underway based on CSL residential Outcomes and Performance Indicators for SMP certification.
Appendix: The Synod’s Routes to Ordained (Pastoral) Ministry A. Residential Routes A.1. Master of Divinity (MDiv) Residential Route Purpose Program Goal: Forming general pastors; breadth and depth of theology for general pastoral ministry
Year Program Began: Thousands of pastors have been formed in the LCMS since 1839. The Master of Divinity degree began in 1971.
Statistics Roster Status: General Total Number of Pastors Produced: Est. 20,000–25,000 between both seminaries Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements
who are 35 years or older, commissioned ministers, or have significant experience in parish life.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: The residential AR provides a comprehensive theological education with extensive grounding in both theology and practice, exegetical skills based on the Greek language, and ministerial formation leading to certification as a general pastor for those with significant church experience.
Statistics Roster Status: General
Educational Prerequisite: A bachelor’s degree with liberal arts criteria, though a limited number of students may be admitted without a bachelor’s, based on other rigorous criteria.
Age Requirements: No age requirement Experiential Prerequisite: Basic spiritual formation; sense of commitment to pastoral candidacy Language and Level: English Academics
Total Number of Pastors Produced: CTSFW (residential): 127; CSL: 85 since 1996 Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): Not available Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Ability to work at master’s level; two years college minimum; ordinarily will possess a bachelor’s degree, though some do not
Degree or Certificate: MDiv
Age Requirements: Ordinarily at least 35 years of age
Biblical Languages: Greek/Hebrew
Experiential Prerequisite: Mature, “second career.” Need at least 10 years of significant experience directly related to Word and Sacrament ministry (elder, lector, evangelism calls, Bible class teacher, etc.) in an LCMS setting. May also be a graduate of a Synod college or university, on the Synod roster of commissioned ministers, and have at least eight years of experience as a commissioned minister of the LCMS.
Region:
Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: Full tuition agreement via the seminary’s partnership covenant. Funding from several sources, including academic scholarships.
Residential and Contextual Learning: All education is residential in a classroom setting.
Curriculum Length: CSL: 98 semester credits plus formation and language labs; CTSFW: 139 quarter credits plus field education Program Length: Four years Vicarage: One-year full-time vicarage Location: Residential Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: Genera list, upon final placement Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? No supervising pastor required while students complete coursework. Faculty advisors assigned. There is a field work pastor supervising assigned field work in a parish.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): Many stay for STM
A.2.
Alternate Route Residential Route Purpose Program Goal: Forming general pastors Year Program Began: Fall quarter of the 1996–1997 academic year. Previously, this was under the auspices of the colloquy program. Colloquy was listed under 1992 –6.99 as listed in the 1995–1996 academic catalog.
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: Residential alternate route closely parallels the MDiv, but is for men
Language and Level:
Language and Level: English Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate or MA Biblical Languages: Greek Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: Full tuition agreement via the seminary’s partnership covenant. Funding from several sources, including academic scholarships.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Residential AR education is residential in a classroom setting. Students who have completed the SMP program may earn AR certification either residentially or by taking the same MDiv-level courses via online streaming of classes.
Curriculum Length: CSL: 77 semester credits, additional formation and language labs, Greek, and vicarage year; CTSFW: 93 quarter credits, plus Greek and vicarage year Program Length: Three years Vicarage: One-year full-time vicarage after all coursework has been completed Location: Residential Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: Genera list, upon final placement Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? No supervising pastor required while students complete coursework.
Faculty advisors assigned. There is a field work pastor supervising assigned field work in a parish.
Continuation Path (besides normal C.Ed.): MDiv
B. Non residential Routes B.1. Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program Non residential Route Purpose Program Goal:: Specific ministry pastor prepared for specific ministry contexts defined by congregations and districts Year Program Began: Fall quarter of the 2008–2009 academic year. Previous program was DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination). SMP was authorized by 2007 Res. 5-01B.
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: Provide training in context for pastors where the fiscal situation or ministry context prevents the calling of a general ministry pastor. As successor to (and improvement over) DELTO, the SMP program meets the Synod’s needs for contextual, in-ministry pastoral formation with improved curriculum and updated instructional technology. Program design seeks to be faithful to AC XIV, so that men who are given the task of preaching, teaching, and administering the Sacraments are ordained and recognized as pastors. When compared with the MDiv or AR programs, the SMP curriculum is intentionally designed to require fewer courses, yet there is intensive in-ministry formation under a mentor/supervising pastor. Men who complete this route are therefore certified by a seminary faculty for call and placement as pastors, but to a distinct roster status category with accompanying limitations for service in the pastoral ministry.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: The SMP program allows a route to ordination when the typical seminary formation experience is not possible. This meets the needs of situations where a called worker is needed but the congregation is not able to call a general ministry pastor. The SMP program provides contextual training for a specific ministry as identified by the congregation and allows for the candidate to provide ordained ministry where otherwise not provided. Although a candidate is identified locally (and already meets many of the spiritual and personal qualifications), the ministry context prevents him from coming into a residential program and provides advantages for ministerial formation within the context of service.
Statistics Roster Status: Specific Ministry Pastor is always under the supervision of a general pastor, even after completing the program.
Total Number of Pastors Produced: CTSFW: 64 completed, 7 ordained and completing program; CSL: 217 completed, 24 ordained and completing program; 2 have died; 2 have been ordained but did not complete the program (one resigned from the ministerium and one is awaiting action from the DP).
Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Entry-level competencies; ability
to work at master’s level. Core competencies necessary for admission: (1) Entry-level competence in OT and NT content and Christian doctrine will be demonstrated by passing entry-level competence examinations administered by the seminary. (2) Entry-level competency in worship, preaching, spiritual life and Christian witness, and teaching the faith will be demonstrated by portfolio submissions and the recommendation of the district president.
Age Requirements: No age requirement listed in academic catalog. The applicant must be “mature in faith and life.” Experiential Prerequisite: Demonstrated pastoral fit; no length of time stated but “must be committed to the Lutheran Confessions” and “willing to uphold the doctrinal positions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” Also must meet the “personal and spiritual qualifications as expressed in .” Should be involved “in an existing congregation, ministry or district-approved planned mission start” and “be in possession of the characteristics ordinarily and biblically expected of the pastoral office.” Must have spent two years in an LCMS parish. Unique Admission Requirements: (1) Presence necessary to support ongoing ministry; (2) nomination of district president and placement as vicar Language and Level: English Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate; no degree. However, courses can be applied to an MA or MDiv.
Biblical Languages: None, but Greek is required for the SMP AR or GPC continuation track.
Region:
Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: Some SMP students may receive assistance from their LCMS district. Some receive assistance from their congregation or ministry. Currently, they do not receive financial assistance from the seminary.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Distance learning primarily. Several residential seminars or on-campus intensive courses. Significant learning comes from student’s local congregation or ministry-setting experiences.
Curriculum Length: CTSFW:16 courses, 32 semester credits, concurrent vicarage and specific ministry seminars; CSL: 16 courses, 32 semester credits, concurrent vicarage and specific ministry seminars.
Program Length: Four years Vicarage: Vicarage requires two years, beginning already during the first year of the program. The vicarage grade appears on the transcript before ordination. No credit hours granted.
Other: The SMP–Español/English (SMP–Es E) program at CTSFW began in 2016 as a Spanish-language SMP-format program to prepare men in the Spanish language for ethnic and bilingual Hispanic/Latino ministry contexts. (A prior program using the same curriculum—Bilingual Pastoral Formation for Latinos [BPFL]—was subsumed into the SMP–Es E program.) The curriculum provides the necessary entry-level Lutheran doctrine, Old Testament, and New Testament courses to ensure that basic competencies
are equally met by all participants. The curriculum was developed and is maintained by a collaborative of international theologians from the LCMS and sister church bodies throughout Latin America in conjunction with Concordia Seminary of the Reformer in the Dominican Republic. The typical student will be a Latino (or other fluent Spanish speaking male) selected by the congregation and approved by the district and seminary using the SMP application process. Upon completion of the program, graduates will serve as SMP pastors in the districts that supported them in the program. Courses are taught in the same manner as other SMP courses. Just as in the regular SMP program, SMP– Es E Program students may be ordained after successfully completing 8 of the 16 courses and a two-year vicarage with appropriate COP approval. They are then placed on the roster of the Synod as SMP pastors because this is not a separate program but a track now folded into the SMP effort at Fort Wayne. To date, there is one ordained man from the program and two currently participating in the program (but not yet ordained).
Location: Distance education with required residential seminars or on-campus intensive courses Call Call and Ordination: Vicarage normally leads to call and ordination in the same congregation. CSL: after 9 courses and successful completion of the SMP vicarage, with commitment to finish; CTSFW: after 8 courses and successful completion of SMP vicarage, with requirement to finish Ministry Context: Open; specific contexts defined by the district and the congregation. Synod resolution describes SMP as providing pastoral ministry in specific and specialized situations where a traditionally prepared seminary candidate or pastor is not available. Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? SMP students are assigned a pastor who mentors them while they are completing the program. After completion of SMP program, SMP pastor must still be supervised by a general ministry pastor.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): May take additional courses for an MA and/or general pastor certification
B.2. Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) (CSL) Non residential Route Purpose Program Goal: New, sustainable, urban, culture-crossing mission planter, following plan and plant developed within program Year Program Began: 1995 Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: The need for a master’s-level missionary/pastoral formation program for those embedded in their ministerial/cultural context (who otherwise could not come to seminary) to start new ministries in non-Anglo or multi ethnic contexts Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: CMC provides a comprehensive theological education leading to a general pastoral certification, with an emphasis on cross cultural mission planting and the goal of a new, sustainable,
urban, cross-cultural plant and new mission start developed within the program.
Statistics Roster Status: General Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): ca. 95 percent Attrition Rates: Not known Program Size: 30 (for now) Requirements Educational Prerequisite: A bachelor’s degree with liberal arts criteria; must simultaneously enter CUI’s MA in Theology (theology and culture) Age Requirements: No age requirement is listed in the academic catalog Experiential Prerequisite: Language and cultural fit; must be an LCMS member for at least two years Unique Admission Requirements: (1) Presence necessary to support ongoing ministry; (2) more appropriate than residential program due to language and/or (cross-)cultural context Language and Level: English competence to work at a master’s theological level. All non native English speakers are assessed and take English prerequisite classes if needed.
Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate from CSL. MA in Theology (theology and culture) from CUI Biblical Languages: Greek Region: Region 5 (West-Southwest) Financial Assistance: No scholarships from CSL. CUI provides a one-third tuition grant to all students and an additional one-third tuition scholarship for about half of the students. Students can apply for additional scholarships or grants from external partners (e.g., churches, districts) to help cover the remaining tuition.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Two courses per year taught via three-week residential intensives (these equal about 30 percent of the courses); the remaining courses are taught by synchronous live-feed video conferences. Curriculum Length: 89 semester credits, includes 26 theology courses (77 semester credits), 6 semester credits of Greek, and 6 semester credits of modern language; concurrent vicarage Program Length: Four years Vicarage: Four years of concurrent vicarage, during which the vicar starts a new culture-crossing ministry under the supervision of an ordained pastor Location: Hybrid (minimum of 8 courses face-to-face, with the remaining as synchronous video conferences) Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: New ministries in non-Anglo context (bilingual as needed), usually within West-Southwest Region Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? Supervising pastor is chosen in collaboration with the district, interviewed by the director of CMC, and approved by CSL.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): None
B.3. Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) (CSL) Non residential Route Purpose Program Goal: General Hispanic pastor (for mission and ministry where the Spanish language predominates) Year Program Began: 1987 as the Hispanic Institute of Theology on Concordia University Chicago’s campus; certification under the auspices of CSL. In 2006, program moved to CSL campus, with name change to CHS, and became fully integrated into CSL’s campus, mission, planning, and administrative functions.
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: CHS serves as a resource for research and education regarding cultural and ecclesial realities that seek to relate to the distinctive needs of Hispanic mission and ministry within the LCMS. Mandate is to form Hispanic pastors and deaconesses for the LCMS.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: Pastoral and deaconess formation for U.S. Hispanics (primarily immigrants) whose first or primary language is Spanish and are serving in U.S. Hispanic missions where Spanish is a major component.
Statistics Roster Status: General, usually where Spanish language is needed for U.S. Hispanic mission and ministry Total Number of Pastors Produced: Since 2006, 77 total: 54 pastors and 23 deaconesses Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): The completion rate for pastoral students admitted is 81 percent. The completion rate for deaconess students admitted is 81 percent.
Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Ability to work at college level. Needs basic proficiency in OT and NT content and Christian doctrine. Must show potential for pastoral ministry to the satisfaction of his district president. Applicants who intend to complete a master’s degree should possess an undergraduate degree.
Age Requirements: Ordinarily not less than 30 years of age. Pastoral students serving in a Spanish-language missions and ministry where their presence and ministry are expected during and after the completion of the program. Deaconess students serving in or about to enter into an internship where they are under the supervision of an ordained pastor.
Experiential Prerequisite: Language and cultural fit. Actively involved as a communicant member in an LCMS parish for at least two years prior to enrollment; usually is already involved in some kind of active ministry, often church planting. Unique Admission Requirements: (1) Presence necessary to support ongoing mission and ministry; (2) more appropriate than residential program due to language or educational
background and socioeconomics Language and Level: Spanish, but English is encouraged in the classroom and optional for some class assignments.
Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate with MA option Biblical Languages: None Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: A one-third tuition grant is provided by the seminary, with the expectation that the district will cover one-third and the local ministry will cover one-third. Additional financial assistance from the seminary can be applied for.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Distance education provided via virtual classroom. Curriculum Length: 18 courses, includes 36 semester credits and a concurrent vicarage.
Program Length: Four years Vicarage: Concurrent vicarage begins during the first year of studies and ends before the fourth year of studies is completed. No credit hours are granted.
Location: Distance education through virtual classroom Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion; roster ed as LCMS pastors and deaconesses Ministry Context: Spanish-language Hispanic mission and ministry in the U.S. Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? Applicants must be paired with an ordained pastor of the LCMS who will serve as their mentor/vicarage supervisor throughout the course of study.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): None; may pursue MA
B.4. Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) (CSL) Non residential Route Purpose Program Goal: First-generation ethnic pastor for ethnic ministry (service where traditional grad unable or unlikely to function) Year Program Began: 2003–2004 Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: Provides a specialized program leading to ordination for men engaged in pastoral missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and other ethnic specific ministry contexts. Offers program for women in mission and ministry contexts, which leads to commissioning as an LCMS deaconess. Also provides for preparation and certification for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: EIIT provides a basic understanding of Lutheran theology and practice within the context of first-generation, non-Anglo cultures, leading to certification as a roster ed pastor or deaconess of the LCMS.
Statistics
B.5. Colloquy Non residential Route
Roster Status: General Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): Pastoral students ca. 80 percent; deaconess students ca. 84 percent Attrition Rates: Not known Program Size: ca.
40–60 Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Ability to work at college level. Must demonstrate basic proficiency in OT and NT content and Christian doctrine. Must show potential for pastoral ministry to the satisfaction of his district president.
Age Requirements: Ordinarily not less than 30 years of age. Pastoral students serving in a first-generation culture specific or non-English-language ministry where no seminary-prepared pastor is available, and where their presence and ministry are expected during and after the completion of the program. Deaconess students serving in or about to enter into an internship, where they are under the supervision of an ordained pastor.
Experiential Prerequisite: Language and cultural fit. Must have been actively involved as a communicant member in an LCMS parish for at least two years prior to enrollment. Unique Admission Requirements: (1) Presence necessary to support ongoing ministry; (2) more appropriate than residential program due to language or educational background Language and Level: English as a foreign language Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate Biblical Languages: None Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: A one-third tuition grant is provided by the seminary, with the expectation that the district will cover one-third and the local ministry will cover one-third. Additional financial assistance from the seminary can be applied for.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Distance education Curriculum length: 24 courses, equivalent to 32 semester credits, with a concurrent vicarage
Purpose Program Goal: Route to ministry in the LCMS for pastors trained outside of the LCMS.
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: Historically always part of the LCMS structure and culture Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: Provides a means for pastors trained outside of the LCMS to be examined and certified for call and placement in the LCMS. In some cases, the pastors are also able to bring their congregations into the Synod.
Statistics Roster Status: General Total Number of Pastors Produced: Average of 21.3 general pastors per year since 2006; 131 Licensed Lay Deacons (LLDs) certified for the SMP roster since 2016; total number since 1847 unknown; in 2021, 8 percent of all active pastors had come through colloquy.
Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): From January 2016 to the present, 156 have applied for general colloquy, 114 have been certified, 34 were declined, 2 have withdrawn, and 20 are still in process.
Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Must be a graduate “of a program of study that leads to ordination, from an accredited institution, with no fewer than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit” (Colloquy Policy Manual). Limited exceptions can be granted by the committee.
Age Requirements: No minimum age requirement Experiential Prerequisite: Must have served “at least three years in a recognized ministry of [his] church body” (Colloquy Policy Manual) or have been a member of the LCMS for at least two years immediately prior to applying.
Unique Admission Requirements: Qualifications laid out in Scripture.
Language and Level: Mostly English, though we do provide interpreters for those more comfortable in other languages. Academics
Program Length: Four years
Degree or Certificate: Certificate
Vicarage: Concurrent vicarage
Region: Nationwide
Location: Distance education
Financial Assistance: None
Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: First-generation immigrant ministry Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? Applicants must be paired with an ordained pastor of the LCMS who will serve as their mentor/vicarage supervisor throughout the course of study.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): None; may pursue MA
Residential and Contextual Learning: Seminary courses (most often online) may be required. Reading under a mentor may be required.
Curriculum Length: Colloquy is very tailored to the applicant, depending on his strengths and weaknesses. Coursework, reading, and/or a vicarage are sometimes assigned and required.
Program Length: One-half to two years, including the application process Vicarage: A formal vicarage in an LCMS congregation is often but not always required. Sometimes a shorter, less formal internship is assigned.
Call Call and Ordination: Almost all applicants for colloquy to the general pastor roster are ordained when they apply. We do not re ordain them, but we do install them according to our Lutheran Church orders. LLDs are ordained at the conclusion of the colloquy process, after they have been certified, called, and placed.
Ministry Context: Genera list, upon final placement (the window of time for LLDs to apply for colloquy to the SMP roster has closed). Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? Supervising pastor or mentors may be required, depending on the needs of the candidate.