# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S184 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 184 RESOLUTIONS are such specific areas as Christian education, steward- ship, evangelism, youth work, family services, church administration, visitation, urban and rural affairs, mu- sic, and secretarial duties to name just a few. On the synodical level, graduates can be used in lay preach- ing, service to the deaf, institutional service, and over- seas service.” (Page 5— Lutheran Lay Ministry) With the prayer that God’s guidance and gracious blessing may be upon this effort of the church to train qualified and dedicated Christian men and women for service in His kingdom as Lay Ministers, the following resolution is offered: Wuereas, There are presently no Bylaw provisions in the Synod’s Handbook governing the Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers; and Wuereas, The 1971 Milwaukee convention authorized the Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers to draw up pro- posed Bylaws to be presented to the New Orleans con- vention; therefore be it Resolved, That the following Handbook regulations be adopted by this convention to govern the Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers: G. LAY MINISTERS 4.101 Colloguy Board for Lay Ministers a. Membership The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers shall con- sist 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, a Vice-President of the Synod, who shall serve as chairman, and, in an advisory and nonvoting capacity, the executive secretary of the Board for Higher Education or his representative. b. Election The voting members of this board shall be elected with overlapping terms by the Council of Presidents. c. Function The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministry shall: 1. Direct the colloquy program for lay ministry according to regulations adopted by the Synod. 2. Serve as the Advisory Council to Concordia College, Milwaukee, in its lay ministry program. 3. Work in harmony and cooperation with the lay ministry program of Concordia College, Mil- waukee, of which it is an extension. 4. Establish the academic and theological stan- dards for admission with the faculty of Concordia College, Milwaukee. 5. Approve for admission to the colloquy pro- gram for lay ministry those applicants who meet the preliminary requirements. 6. Examine applicants as to readiness for ac- ceptance into the lay ministry of the Synod and recommend approved candidates to the Board of Assignments for placement. 7. Make a full report of its activities to every convention of the Synod. 4.102 Eligibility Applicants shall be at least 20 years old, or have 2 years of college, and agree to have administered prescribed aptitude, achievement, personality, and vocational entrance tests. Personal interviews may be required. 4.103 Application for Admission a. Application of men and women for admission to the lay ministry colloquy program shall be di- rected to Concordia College, Milwaukee. The ap- plication shall be accompanied by the following documents: 1. Complete background information _ setting forth clearly the applicant’s background, religious affiliation, previous church work, activity, and ex- perience, employment record, formal and informal education, and reasons for wishing to qualify for lay ministry service in the Synod. 2. Official transcripts of the applicant’s secondary and collegiate training and a full description of noncredit academic work done by the applicant. 3. Testimonials as to Christian character and life, personality, ability, and previous service from the applicant’s pastor and two references from pre- vious employers or persons who have observed the applicant for at least two recent years. 4. A letter of endorsement from the applicant’s District president. 4.104 Publication of Applicant’s Request The name of an applicant requesting admission to the lay ministry program shall be published in the official periodicals of the Synod after his appli- cation has been endorsed by the District President and approved by the Colloquy Board. If no valid objection is filed within 4 weeks after publication of such notice, the colloquy procedure may con- tinue. 4.105 Academic and Theological Requirements Applicants for admission to lay ministry by colloquy shall be expected to meet the following academic and theological requirements before their final examination by the board. a. A college program culminating in the associ- ate in arts degree or its demonstrated equivalent. b. The completion of required courses or their equivalent in the areas of general education, Chris- tian doctrine, Biblical interpretation, church his- tory and practice, to meet the academic and theo- logical standards established by the Colloquy Board. c. Evidence of successful service in a church agency within the Synod prior to regular place- ment in the church. d. Residence at a synodical college as deter- mined necessary or desirable by the Colloquy Board. 4.106 Certification Applicants who have satisfactorily passed their colloquy for the Lay Ministry shall be given a cer- tificate of eligibility by the Colloquy Board. 4107 Placement a. The Colloquy Board shall recommend place- ment of those applicants who have satisfactorily completed their colloquy studies and passed their colloquy examination. b. The Colloquy Board shall report its action to the President of the District in which the candi- date resides and publish a report of its favorable action in the official periodicals of the Synod. Every applicant whom the board declares quali- fied for lay ministry shall be assigned his first placement by the Board of Assignments. Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to the Board of Directors. cv tha tee enentensinmatentnininentii te tine se + prereneieeethtabiamenitnts ute tee ae i { } } 5 f } i { 4