# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S280 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 280 HIGHER EDUCATION 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 Admissioa a. Applications of men and women for admission to the lay ministry colloquy program shall be directed to Concordia College, Milwaukee. The application 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 experience, em- ployment 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 non- credit 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 previous employers or persons who have observed the appli- cant for at least 2 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 application has been endorsed by the District President and ap- proved by the Colloquy Board. If no valid objection is filed within 4 weeks after publication of such notice, the colloquy procedure may continue. 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 examina- tion by the board. a. A college program culminating in the Associate 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 history and practice, to meet the academic and theological standards established by the board. c. Evidence of successful service in a church agency within the Synod prior to regular placement in the church. d. Residence at a synodical college as determined necessary or desirable by the board. 4.106 Placement a. The board shall recommend placement of those applicants who have satisfactorily completed their colloquy studies and passed their colloquy examina- tion. b. The board shall report its action to the President of the District in which the candidate resides and publish a report of its favorable action in the official periodicals of the Synod. c. Every applicant whom the board declares quali- fied for lay ministry shall be assigned his first place- ment by the Board of Assignments. 4.107 Service and Supervision a. Male lay ministers are licensed, not ordained, to serve in all areas of the ministry of the Word when authorized by a local congregation and supervised by an ordained pastor. b. Female lay ministers are licensed, not ordained, to serve in all areas of the ministry of the Word, except in such pastoral duties as preaching and the administration of the sacraments, when authorized by a local congregation and supervised by an ordained pastor. c. In civil church functions, such as the right to perform marriages, lay ministers will abide by the regulations of the respective state or province in which they are serving. d. The President of the District in which a lay minister is assigned shall be responsible for his super- vision, which, however, may be delegated to another ordained pastor in the District. If a lay minister is assigned to a congregation, he shall serve under the supervision of his own pastor. The District President shall approve all reassignments of lay ministers within his District. e. If a lay minister wishes to accept an assignment in a District other than the one in which he is serving, his transfer requires the approval of both District Presidents. f. Lay ministers may serve as lay delegates to con- ventions of the Synod. W.C. Koester 6-04 Report of Task Force to Consider Restructuring Synod’s System of Higher Education Introduction One of the primary objectives (purposes) of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod is the training of pastors and teachers. The responsibility for coordinating the various educational institutions of the Synod is vested in the Board for Higher Educa- tion (ef. Bylaws 6.01 —6.183). Since its inception in 1938 the BHE has been concerned with adapting the program offerings of the synodical schools to the various changes occurring in education. In order for the Synod to adequately adjust to the rapid explo- sion of knowledge, educational innovations, and new concepts of educational methodology, the BHE must recommend neces- sary changes in the Synod’s system of higher education. The Board for Higher Education has prepared a variety of reports and studies concerning problems and opportunities facing our system of higher education. Although some of these reports and studies have been primarily of internal concern, a large number have been reported to the synodical convention for consideration and implementation. The implications of change, actual and contemplated, require a detailed review of what has occurred in the past and is ex- pected to happen in the future. The BHE has adopted a policy of continual evaluation and review, so that change and the effects of change can be considered as new opportunities to meet the needs of the church. At the present time the Board for Higher Education is operat- ing with planning theses for the synodical system of colleges which are concerned with eight principal concepts. These con- cepts concern the future of the synodical system, the purpose of the institutions, the coordinating requirements for compo- nent units of the system, the number of institutions and their maximum size, financial support of the system, the location of campuses, and the institutional curricular programs. The Higher Education floor committee of the 1973 convention (New Orleans) requested an independent review of the role of the BHE and its relationship to the various boards of control, and of the system as a whole, its purpose and its structure. Concern was expressed that the concept of the “junior college — senior college” system in the training of students for the pastoral ministry had deteriorated to the extent that the continued exis- tence of the senior college at Fort Wayne was seriously threat- ened. Concern was also expressed that the present pastoral student enrollment at the junior colleges could not supply a sufficient number of students who would follow the senior college route to warrant its continuation as it has been known for the past 18 years.