# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S132 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 132 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Year Program Began: Thousands of pastors have been formed in the LCMS since 1839. The Master of Divinity degree began in 1971. Statistics Roster Status: General Total Number of Pastors Produced: Est. 20,000–25,000 between both seminaries Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements who are 35 years or older, commissioned ministers, or have significant experience in parish life. Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: The residential AR provides a comprehensive theological education with extensive grounding in both theology and practice, exegetical skills based on the Greek language, and ministerial formation leading to certification as a general pastor for those with significant church experience. Statistics Roster Status: General Educational Prerequisite: A bachelor’s degree with liberal arts criteria, though a limited number of students may be admitted without a bachelor’s, based on other rigorous criteria. Age Requirements: No age requirement Experiential Prerequisite: Basic spiritual formation; sense of commitment to pastoral candidacy Language and Level: English Academics Total Number of Pastors Produced: CTSFW (residential): 127; CSL: 85 since 1996 Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): Not available Attrition Rates: Not known Requirements Educational Prerequisite: Ability to work at master’s level; two years college minimum; ordinarily will possess a bachelor’s degree, though some do not Degree or Certificate: MDiv Age Requirements: Ordinarily at least 35 years of age Biblical Languages: Greek/Hebrew Experiential Prerequisite: Mature, “second career.” Need at least 10 years of significant experience directly related to Word and Sacrament ministry (elder, lector, evangelism calls, Bible class teacher, etc.) in an LCMS setting. May also be a graduate of a Synod college or university, on the Synod roster of commissioned ministers, and have at least eight years of experience as a commissioned minister of the LCMS. Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: Full tuition agreement via the seminary’s partnership covenant. Funding from several sources, including academic scholarships. Residential and Contextual Learning: All education is residential in a classroom setting. Curriculum Length: CSL: 98 semester credits plus formation and language labs; CTSFW: 139 quarter credits plus field education Program Length: Four years Vicarage: One-year full-time vicarage Location: Residential Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: Generalist, upon final placement Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? No supervising pastor required while students complete coursework. Faculty advisors assigned. There is a field work pastor supervising assigned field work in a parish. Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): Many stay for STM A.2. Alternate Route Residential Route Purpose Program Goal: Forming general pastors Year Program Began: Fall quarter of the 1996–1997 academic year. Previously, this was under the auspices of the colloquy program. Colloquy was listed under 1992 Bylaw 6.87–6.99 as listed in the 1995–1996 academic catalog. Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program: Residential alternate route closely parallels the MDiv, but is for men 2023 Convention Workbook Language and Level: English Academics Degree or Certificate: Certificate or MA Biblical Languages: Greek Region: Nationwide Financial Assistance: Full tuition agreement via the seminary’s partnership covenant. Funding from several sources, including academic scholarships. Residential and Contextual Learning: Residential AR education is residential in a classroom setting. Students who have completed the SMP program may earn AR certification either residentially or by taking the same MDiv-level courses via online streaming of classes. Curriculum Length: CSL: 77 semester credits, additional formation and language labs, Greek, and vicarage year; CTSFW: 93 quarter credits, plus Greek and vicarage year Program Length: Three years Vicarage: One-year full-time vicarage after all coursework has been completed Location: Residential Call Call and Ordination: At conclusion Ministry Context: Generalist, upon final placement Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? No supervising pastor required while students complete coursework.