# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S129
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 129

Each of these three groups will require a specific procedure which
will lead to qualification for the ministry.

2. In the case of men without any theological (or equivalent)
training whatever, a method of training for full-time lay service
to a congregation, board, institution, or agency shall be established.
Synod should authorize the development and administration of
such a program. We recommend that a committee appointed by
the Board for Higher Education and responsible to it develop this
program. We also recommend that the program be administered
through the office of the executive secretary of the Board for
Higher Education.

Men who complete this program should, after some years of
satisfactory full-time service to the church, be classified as par-
tially trained for the ministry.

3. Only such aspirants to the office of the ministry as have
partial or full theological training should be referred to the com-
mittee on colloquies. Before the committee can act favorably on
an application, it shall be assured of the sponsorship of the can-
didate by the President of the District who properly has jurisdiction
in the case. The respective District President shall furnish the
following documents to the committee:

a. An autobiographical statement by the applicant, setting
forth clearly his background and his reasons for wishing to qualify
for the ministry in The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;

b. Official transcripts of the applicant’s secondary, collegiate,
and seminary training and a full description of noncredit academic
work done by the candidate;

c. Testimonials as to Christian character and life, personality,
ability, and previous service from no fewer than three competent
references who have known and observed the applicant for at least
two recent years.

4. In the case of men with partial training such applicants
only as have had three full years of college education, or their
equivalent, should be considered eligible by the committee for
admission to the program of qualifying for the ministry by colloquy.
Five years of combined college and seminary education, or their
equivalent, and a year of supervised vicarage shall be considered
the quantitative minima for completion of the program.

5. The additional training shall be carried out under the
guidance of the committee.

6. Readiness for admission to the office of the ministry shall
be demonstrated by:

a. An acceptable level of achievement in the areas of general

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