Res. 6-12 — To Amend Bylaws to Reinsert 2007 Pastoral Colloquy Bylaws from Policy Manual

WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention removed numerous pastoral colloquy bylaws and added Bylaw 3.10.2.2 (a) (Res. 8 -08A, “To Realign National Synod Ministries around Two Mission Boards”), which directs the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (CCPM) to develop, instead, policies that are now in the Policy Manual for Admission to the Pastoral Ministry of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod by Colloquy ( CCPM Policy Manual , files.lcms.org/dl/f/pastoral-colloquy-policy-manual); and

WHEREAS, For 61 years prior to the 2010 Synod convention (i.e., from 1949– 2010), the Synod Bylaws for pastoral colloquy, as contained in the Handbook, reflected the more fulsome details of policy and procedure that existed in the Bylaws; and

WHEREAS, In response to the 2010 Synod convention action, the CCPM placed the removed bylaws into its policy manual; and

WHEREAS, These former bylaws (now policies) have changed a little bit in the 16 years since then, though a large percentage of the material remains unchanged; and

WHEREAS, As is the case with policy manuals in general, the CCPM Policy Manual can be changed at any time by the four-member CCPM; and

WHEREAS, There are many important requirements for pastoral colloquy that have been in place for many years and it would be wise to involve a larger representative body in a more deliberate process with regard to changes; and

WHEREAS, The well-known Handbook is a more accessible place to house these important requirements for pastoral colloquy rather than the lesser-known CCPM Policy Manual; and

WHEREAS, This overture does not seek or intend to introduce to the Bylaws any substantial changes to the requirements for pastoral colloquy as contained in the CCPM Policy Manual; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.2.2 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

B. Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry …

3.10.2.2 The Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry shall establish and monitor academic, theological, and personal standards for admission to the office of the pastoral ministry by colloquy after consultation with the faculties of the seminaries. It may consider and approve those applicants who meet the requirements for eligibility as specified in this bylaw and concerning whom no valid objection is made pursuant to paragraph (c). In consultation with the President of the Synod, it shall develop any necessary additional policies to govern eligibility and the process to be followed to determine qualifications and suitability for pastoral service in the Synod.

(a) In consultation with the President of the Synod, it shall develop all necessary policies to govern eligibility and the process to be followed to determine qualifications and suitability for pastoral service in the Synod.Only such male applicants shall be considered eligible to apply for colloquy who are: (1) ministers in good standing in other Christian church bodies (or independent congregations), are graduates of programs of study leading to ordination of no less than 60 semester hours or the equivalent thereof in length from accredited institutions, and have served at least three years in a recognized ministry of their church body, unless granted an exception to either of these last two requirements by the colloquy committee; or (2) graduates of programs of study leading to ordination of no less than 60 semester hours or the equivalent thereof in length from accredited institutions, who have been communicant members in good standing of congregations of the Synod for at least two years immediately prior to the time of application (unless granted an exception to either of these last two requirements by the colloquy committee), and whose congregations adhere to Bylaw 2.5.2; or (3) pastors emeriti from other church bodies according to category (2) above. If certified by the committee, they may be placed on the roster of the Synod according to Bylaw 2.7.5.

(b) Applicants for colloquy shall be directed to the president of the district where the applicant resides. (1) The district president shall refer the applicant to a district interview committee, who shall give a report and recommendation to the district president. (2) The district president shall recommend qualified applicants to the chairman of the colloquy committee. Such recommendations shall be processed according to the policies and procedures adopted by the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry.

(c) The colloquy committee shall publish notice of its intent to interview an applicant in an official periodical of the Synod unless the applicant requests such notice be delayed until after his interview. (1) If no valid objection is received by the committee within 30 days after the publication of such notice, the applicant may be interviewed. (2) If the applicant was interviewed first, notice shall then be published and upon publication 30 days be given for valid objections to be received. (3) The committee, in its sole discretion, shall decide whether an objection is valid. Its decision shall not be the subject of any appeal.

(d) The colloquy committee shall arrange for an in -person colloquy, or discussion, with qualified applicants. The decision on each applicant shall be made on the basis of the colloquy application and examination and shall be the sole prerogative of the colloquy committee.

(e) The criteria by which the colloquy committee shall determine an applicant’s readiness for certification are to be based upon adopted standards, including, but not limited to: (1) areas of general education; (2) understanding of and agreement with the scriptural and doctrinal positions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; (3) familiarity with the history and polity of the Synod; (4) studies in theology assuring a well -rounded education in the major fields of theological discipline; (5) positive experience in the work of the pastoral ministry; and (6) demonstrated moral character (“above reproach”).

(f) The colloquy committee, at its sole discretion, shall determine the content and amount of academic work, personal study programs, or supervised ministry that may be required prior to certification. To this end, the committee may assign residential and/or online seminary coursework, mentored readings, and/or a formal vicarage or a shorter informal internship.

(g) The committee, at its discretion, may require a second colloquy interview following the completion of such study and/or supervised ministry. (bh) Decisions to declare applicants qualified for the pastoral ministry and to certify for placement shall be at the sole discretion of the committee.

(i) The committee shall: (1) certify for placement those applicants who have satisfactorily completed the colloquy interview and any other requirements as assigned by the colloquy committee; (2) report this action to the applicant, the Office of Pastoral Education of the Synod, and to the appropriate district president; and (3) publish a report of its favorable action in an official periodical of the Synod. (cj) Every applicant whom the committee declares qualified shall be assigned his first call by the Council of Presidents acting as the Board of Assignments.

(k) The colloquy committee shall report to the Synod in convention.