# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S244 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 244 PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION complete the supervised ministry and subsequently be called into a geographical area other than where he served in his former church body. His name and credentials are to be shared with neighboring District Presidents. If a District President is interested in a particular man. a personal interview may be advisable. It should be noted that (1) this arrangement supersedes any previous transfer guidelines applying to any Lutheran body and (2) no changes in the present Bylaws are needed in order to implement the recommendation. For the Teaching Ministry (Including Director of Christian Education) This program is designed to assist teachers who are grad- uates of secular teachers colleges to be certified as teachers on the Synod's roster and therefore to be made eligible to become members of the Synod. The committee consists of a Vice-President of the Synod and the presidents of the synodical colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in teaching education. Those presently serving are Doctors Gerhardt Hyatt, David Schmiel, Michael Stelmachowicz, Paul Zimmerman, Ray Martens, Ralph Schultz, John Buuck, E. Weber, and Mr. Gordon Beckler. Dr. Robert Sauer is chairman of the committee. During the past biennium 16 men and 14 women were certified for the teaching ministry after completing the require- ments of the program. At this time there are 95 enrolled in the program. For the Deaconess Ministry The program is designed for women who are college grad- uates and who seek certification for the deaconess ministry. The committee consists of a Vice-President of the Synod appointed by the President of the Svnod and one representative from each of the entities preparing deaconesses for the Synod. At the present time four women are enrolled in the program at Concordia College, River Forest, Ill. The program has only been in existance since appropriate Handbook changes were adopted by the Svnod in convention in the summer of 1981. Therefore no one has as yet completed this program. which is generally of a three vear duration. In an effort to act respons- ibly toward the Synod in this special program for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in some other field, the requirements parallel the regular deaconess curriculum. Students complete the equivalent of a theology major (48 hours), aminor (32 hours), aconcentration area (16 hours), and the series of deaconess specialization courses (24 hours). The sequence of specialization courses is designed specifically for deaconess training. Each course requires fieldwork. Two courses, Deaconess Work I and II, focus on the skills and the role of the deaconess. A nine month internship follows in the sequence, providing valuable experience in a supervised setting. Finally the student completes her program with two final specialization courses, Seminar for Deaconesses I and II. These courses guide the student in constructive evaluation of the internship experience and in greater understanding of the ministry of the deaconess. Following completion of these requirements, the deaconess colloquy student is ready for placement through the regular placement procedures of Concordia and the Synod. Of the four women currently enrolled, two are completing internships and two are anticipating the beginning of intern- ship this summer. Since the inception of this program 44 women have inquired about the deaconess colloquy. It provides an opportunity for women to prepare themselves for service to the Lord Jesus and the Synod through a rigorous and compre- hensive program of study and experience. They are consistent- ly unique and dedicated women, having chosen deaconess work essentially as a second field of study and career choice. Deaconess colloquy is not to be confused with the regular deaconess program. Since the adoption of the 1979 synodical convention resolution that directed Concordia, River Forest, to offer deaconess training, over 50 women have enrolled in this five year program. In May, 1983, the first six graduates of the Synod’s deaconess program at Concordia, River Forest, will be available for placement. We give thanks to God for opening doors to the sparkling, dedicated women who have answered the call to serve through the avenue of deaconess ministry. For Lay Ministers Applicants for the lay ministry colloquy program shall be at least 20 vears old, or have two vears of college, and agree to have administered prescribed aptitude, achievement. person- ality, and vocational entrance tests. The committee consists of one District President, one parish pastor. one member of a synodical seminary faculty, one member representing the lay ministry program at Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis., a Vice-President of the Synod, who shall serve as chairman, and the executive secretary of the Board for Professional Educaton Services or his representative in an advisory capacity. Those presently serving are Dr. Robert Sauer, chairman, Rev. Wilbert Sallach, secretary, Dr. Paul Spitz. Rev. Royal Natzke, a seminary faculty member vet to be chosen by the Council of Presidents, and Dr. Walter Rosin. During the past biennium five candidates were certified. At the present time 22 are enrolled in the lay ministry colloquy program. Academic and field education requirements have been upgraded and more thoroughly spelled out since the last synodical convention. The committee recommends that certain Bylaws governing the lay ministry program be clarified. The Bylaws are not clear as to whether this committee is to supervise the entire lay ministry program or only the lay ministry colloquy program. Recommendations in regard to this were shared with the Commission on Structure on Jan. 4, 1983. It is hoped that this and related problems will be resolved at the forthcoming convention. Roughly one third of the lay ministers now serving in the Synod function, in effect, as pastors, preaching the Word and administering the sacraments. While these are called “emer- gency situations,” the matter calls for more study. Also, because the lay ministers are not “members of the Synod" it is difficult for District Presidents to supervise their activities or even effect transfers. This is also true of others chosen and consecrated for service in the church who are not “members of the Synod.” Again. perhaps the Commission on Structure will make recommenda- tions to correct this situation. Related Matters Policy statements that govern the colloquy program for the pastoral office, in harmony with the Handbook regulations of the Synod, are utilized by this committee after being approved by the Board for Professional Education Services. Policy statements for the teacher, deaconess, and lay ministry colloquy programs, are presently being developed. The Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Office also works in connection with the Synod’s special program for educating Hispanic pastoral candidates at River Forest, Ill. A compre- hensive update on this program appears elsewhere in the report of the Board for Professonal Education Services. Robert C. Sauer, Chairman 6-02 Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Ind. God has richly blessed Concordia Theological Seminary throughout 137 vears. We cannot begin this report without first expressing our deep thanks to Him for His grace and for His benevolence to our institution over this long history. Concordia Theological Seminary is a one-purpose school: our mandate from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is to prepare men for the Christian ministry. To carry out this single purpose has become increasingly complex—but also challenging—in the radically changing society in which we live and as the seminary seeks to send out orthodox, well-prepared. and evangelistic pastors into ourchurch and throughout the world. The following report will tell the church the story of our activities during the past two years.