# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S254 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 252 HIGHER EDUCATION dent involved, to render clearly delineated limited service in a specific place for a specific time. The Synod reserves for itself the sole right to license all lay ministers, and acts in this area through the Place- ment Committee of Synod upon the recommendation of the Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers, or Concordia College, Milwaukee. The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers and Concordia College have established minimum academic, theological, and practical requirements for licensing lay ministers. Readi- ness for admission to the licensed lay ministry of the Synod is demonstrated by: 1. An acceptable level of achievement in the area of gen- eral education (beyond high school), as demonstrated by acceptable testing or experience, and... 2. An acceptable level of academic achievement in the area of theological education. as demonstrated by standard- ized test or other examination. and... 3. An acceptable level of achievement in the area of prac- tical theological training as demonstrated by acceptable testing or record of experience. The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers and Concordia College, Milwaukee, have prepared appropriate by-laws for inclusion in the Handbook. These are being submitted to the convention for approval. Lay ministry conferences, in-service, and extension pro- grams are in process of development. The Board will be represented at the annual gathering of lay ministers at Camp Kota, Platte, S.Dak., July 2—6. A circular, “You Asked About Lutheran Lay ministry” was prepared and distributed to all congregations in the Synod. It describes the lay ministry program in question and answer form and exolains the cooperative arrangement between the Colloquy Board and Concordia College, Mil- waukee. More than 200 inquiries about lay ministry and applications for services of lay ministers have been dealt with since the Board was organized. Twenty-five persons are presently enrolled in the lay ministry program at Con- cordia, Milwaukee (11 freshmen, 8 sophomores. 6 part time). Eighty-seven lay ministers are listed in the 1973 Lutheran Annual as serving in the field. One person was certified for service as a lay minister by the Colloquy Board during this biennium. Proposed Handbook regulation for admission to the lay ministry by colloquy: 4.101 Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers a. Membership The Colloguy Board for Lay Ministers shall consist 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 to the lay ministry by colloquy. in consultation with the faculty of Concordia Col- lege, 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 accep- tance into the lay ministry of the Synod and rec- ommend approved candidates to the Board of As- signments 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. Applications of men and women for admis- sion to the lay ministry colloquy program shall be directed 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 churchwork, 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 secon- dary 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 col- loquy shall be expected to meet the following aca- demic 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 the- ological 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 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. ce. Every applicant whom the board declares qualified for lay ministry shall be assigned his first placement by the Board of Assignments.