# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S278 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 278 IX. REPORT OF THE RES. 5-14A TASK FORCE Mobility: may accept a call to any field of service for which the calling entity deems the man qualified Supervision: under the general supervision of the district president with the assistance of the circuit visitors Limitations: none beyond the general requirements for all pastors (conditions of membership) in the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws Colloquy Colloquy receives men from other church bodies, most of whom already possess a master of divinity, who wish to become part of the LCMS. Depending on the circumstance, some further education in specifically Lutheran theology may be required. The Bylaws of the Synod have also provided that licensed deacons of the LCMS with at least 10 years experience may also apply, though often significant further education is required. Certification for all colloquy applicants is by the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry. Mobility: may accept a call to any field of service for which the calling entity deems the man qualified Supervision: under the general supervision of the district president with the assistance of the circuit visitors Limitations: none beyond the general requirements for all pastors (conditions of membership) in the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws Though levels of education vary somewhat, all the men certified through each of the above programs are prepared to accept a call to any field of service for which the calling entity deems the man qualified. Category Two: Pastors Prepared for Service in Particular Ministry Contexts Over the years, the Synod has also developed several certificate programs that prepare men for service as a pastor in particular ministry contexts. These programs offer a theological diploma certifying the man for the ministry of Word and Sacrament. While the Bylaws of the Synod place no restriction on where they may serve, these men are most often prepared for a particular context of ministry. They are pastors just the same as those in the previous category, but they have specialized training, generally for ethnic and cross-cultural ministries. There is also, of necessity, a greater use of distance learning and pastoral formation in context with these routes to ministry, compared to Category One. Cross-Cultural Ministry Center Under the aegis of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, men may study at Concordia University, Irvine, to receive an MA degree and a theological diploma. The vicarage is usually concurrent, and the purpose of the program is to prepare men for specialized cross-cultural ministry and church planting. Certification is by the St. Louis seminary faculty. Mobility: may accept a call to any field of service for which the calling entity deems the man qualified Supervision: under the general supervision of the district president with the assistance of the circuit visitors Limitations: none beyond the general requirements for all pastors (conditions of membership) in the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Center for Hispanic Studies, and Deaf Institute of Theology These are all specialized programs with similar levels of education and formation. Men study by means of a combination of distance learning and on-campus intensives. Each student works with a mentor/supervisor as long as he is in the program. Certification is by the respective seminary faculty. 2016 Convention Workbook Mobility: They may accept a call to any field of service but men with this training are normally limited by language or ethnicity to such special ministries. Supervision: As all pastors, these men are under the general supervision of the district president with the assistance of the circuit visitors. In addition, such men are supervised by a mentor/supervising pastor while in the training program. After graduation, some level of ongoing specific supervision generally remains, whether by a district mission board or mission executive or by a senior pastor (who must be a general pastor) in a multi-staff situation. Limitations: Technically, there are no limitations beyond the general requirements for all pastors (conditions of membership) in the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws. Degree or Certificate What does this mean? All graduates of all the programs listed above receive a certificate or theological diploma certifying them for the ministry of Word and Sacrament. MDiv graduates also receive a professionally recognized academic degree, the master of divinity. Cross-Cultural Ministry Center graduates and some qualifying graduates of the Center for Hispanic Studies receive the MA degree. All the routes to ministry in Categories One and Two prepare general pastors of the Synod (see Bylaw 2.13.1) though men prepared for particular ethnic contexts usually remain in that context. Category Three: Specific Ministry Pastors Seminary Programs for Specific Ministry Pastors The SMP program at both seminaries, approved by the Synod in 2007, prepares men in context for specific ministries as determined by congregations and districts. This is a special distance-learning program with unique limitations. Certification is by the respective seminary faculty. Mobility: Specific ministry pastors are 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 the district president. Supervision: He shall serve under the supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor. Such individualized supervision will continue until a specific ministry pastor completes a program for alternate route or master of divinity certification as a general pastor. Limitations: Because he is under supervision of another pastor and because a specific ministry pastor’s theological education 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. He is not eligible to serve as a voting delegate to a national convention of the Synod. He may not hold elected or appointed office on the district or national Synod level. He may not supervise vicars or serve as a circuit visitor. Bilingual Pastoral Formation for Latinos: This nascent program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is a special track for men who speak both Spanish and English within the SMP program at that seminary. Colloquy to the Specific Ministry Pastor Roster Should the Synod adopt in 2016 the basic recommendations of the 4-06A Task Force, the specific ministry pastor roster will also include a cadre of pastors certified for call and placement through a special regional colloquy program. The purpose of this effort will be to certify, call, and ordain as pastors licensed lay deacons presently functioning as de facto pastors. The Synod will need to decide whether to continue this program in some form for the future.