# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S265
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION 265

good standing in other Lutheran church bodies;

2. members in good standing of synodical
congregations who are graduates of an established
nonsynodical Lutheran seminary.

b. After admission to the pastoral colloquy
program. not less than two full and up to three full
academic years of instruction at one of the Synod’s
theological seminaries, including not less than one
full year in residence, as well as a vicarage under
synodical auspices, shall be expected of:

1. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, in
good standing in non-Lutheran Christian church
bodies:

2. graduates of a non-Lutheran seminary in good
standing in a synodical congregation;

3. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who
have at least 10 years of successful experience as a
Lutheran teacher or director of Christian education.

c. After admission to the pastoral colloquy pro-
gram, a minimum of 2 full academic years of instruc-
tion at one of the Synod’s theological seminaries, at
least 2'» years of which shall be in residence, as well
as a vicarage under synodical auspices, shall be
expected of:

1. members in good standing of synodical congre-
gations who are over 40, are college graduates, and
have had considerable experience in church work;

2. members in good standing of synodical congre-
gations who belong to special ethnic or linguistic
groups. who have a college-level education, and who
have had considerable experience in church work.

d. The committee shall determine the course of
study and length of vicarage for each candidate on
the basis of his needs and ecclesiastical background.
In general, the course of study should include courses
in the major areas of theology. In exceptional cases
the committee may regard special educational attain-
ments or church work experience as meeting a portion
of the aforementioned requirements, provided that
the Synod’s high professional standards for the
ministry are maintained.

e. The committee may ask District Presidents or
other qualified persons to assist them from time to
time in special cases.

f. The criteria by which the committee shall judge
a man’s progress are:

1. Readiness for admission to the office as demon-
strated according to standards established by the
Colloquy Committee by—

aa. an acceptable level of achievement in the area
of general education:

bb. satisfactory completion of a well-rounded and
comprehensive training in all major fields of
theology:

ec. Satisfactory completion of a supervised
vicarage.

2. In the case of men who have been educated in
foreign lands with differing educational and eccles-
iastical requirements who are expected to serve
ethnic and special linguistic groups in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, the committee is author-
ized to waive or modify certain of the above-
mentioned requirements in accord with the commit-
tee’s good judgment.

3. Before being declared qualified for the pastoral
ministry in the Synod. the applicants shall submit
satisfactory theological papers and sermons and
pass comprehensive written and oral examinations
in the major areas of theology under the direction of
the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Office.

4. They shall give evidence that they fully under-
stand and accept the doctrinal standards of the
Synod. are acquainted with its practice, and have the
ability and intention to teach, preach, and practicein
conformity with these standards.

Leen members in Lutheran or other Christian church
bodies and are now members of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, and are graduates of recog-
nized theological seminaries;

b. After admission to the pastoral colloquy pro-
gram, a minimum of two full academic vears of
instruction at one of the Synod’s theological seminar-
ies, at least one and one-half years of which shall be
in residence, as well as a 12-month vicarage under
synodical auspices shall be expected of members in
good standing of synodical congregations who belong
to special ethnic or linguistic groups, who have a
baccalaureate degree, and who have had considerable
experience in church work within The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.

c. The committee shall determine the course of
study for each candidate on the basis of his needs and
ecclesiastical background. In general, the course of
study should include courses in the major areas of
theology. In exceptional cases the committee may
regard special educational attainments or church
work experience as meeting a portion of the afore
mentioned requirements, provided that the Synod's
high professional standards for the ministry are
maintained.

The remainder of paragraph 5.81 (present e and f.
plus their subparts) is to remain the same.

Faculty

Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Norbert H. Mueller. Secretary