LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 273

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IX. REPORT OF THE RES. 5-14A TASK FORCE
they are general pastors in the Synod, serving mostly in Spanishspeaking congregations. CHS certificate students with a bachelor’s
degree or equivalent degree are encouraged to complete an MA,
which is offered in the Spanish language. As of the fall of 2015,
there are 11 enrolled in this program. Throughout its history, a total of
74 pastors have graduated from this program, plus 18 deaconesses.32
Program Goal—preparing general Hispanic pastors, for mission
and ministry where Spanish language predominates
Year Program Began—It began in 1987 as the Hispanic Institute
of Theology under the auspices of CSL on Concordia Chicago’s campus. In 2006, the program moved to CSL campus, with name change
to CHS, and became fully integrated into CSL’s campus, mission,
planning, and administrative functions.
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program—CHS serves
as a resource for research and education regarding cultural and ecclesial realities that seek to relate to the distinctive needs of Hispanic
mission and ministry within the LCMS. Its mandate is to form
Hispanic pastors and deaconesses for the LCMS.
Specific Needs Not Addressed through Other Programs—pastoral
and deaconess formation for US Hispanics (primarily immigrants)
whose first or primary language is Spanish and are serving in US
Hispanic missions where Spanish is a major component of these
missions
Total Number of Pastors Produced—74 since the mid-1990s.
Since 2006, the average number of pastoral graduates is seven to
eight per year. Eighteen deaconesses have finished their program.
Program Completion Rates—72 percent of pastoral students
admitted in the past 10 years have completed the program.
Financial Assistance—CSL’s academic catalog states that “published tuition for CHS students will not generally be discounted.”
It also states that “merit scholarships may be available, but are not
guaranteed.”
Placement—initial
Call and Ordination—at conclusion
Ministry Context—Spanish language; Hispanic mission and ministry in the US
Educational Prerequisite—Ability to work at college level. Needs
basic proficiency in OT and NT content and Christian doctrine. Must
show potential for pastoral ministry to the satisfaction of his district
president. Applicants who intend to complete a master’s degree should
possess an undergraduate degree.
Age—Ordinarily not less than 30 years of age. Pastoral students
serving in a Spanish language mission and ministry, and where his
presence and ministry are expected during and after the completion
of the program.
Experiential Prerequisite—Language and cultural fit. Actively
involved as a communicant member in an LCMS parish for at least
two years prior to enrollment.
Unique Admission Requirements—(1) presence necessary to
support ongoing mission and ministry; (2) more appropriate than
residential program due to language or educational background and
socioeconomic realities
Language and Level—Spanish, but bilingualism is encouraged in
the classroom and optional for some class assignments.
Region—nationwide
Location of Instruction—distance education with on-campus residential intensives and extension centers
Supervising Pastor Required—Supervising pastor is selected in
consultation with the district president according to established seminary criteria for supervising pastors.

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Vicarage/Internship—Concurrent vicarage begins second year
of studies and ends before the fourth year of studies is completed.
Degree or Certificate—certificate
“Growth Path”—none specific; may pursue an MA
Biblical Languages Required—none
Curriculum Length—18 courses, 54 quarter hours, concurrent
vicarage
Program Length—four years
Roster Status—general pastor
Attrition Rates—not known
Other—One third of course work is completed face-to-face
through short-term on-campus intensives. Remainder of course work
is completed through online technology.
Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (St. Louis)
The Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) is also a certificate program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that has been in
existence since 2003. The medium of instruction is English, though
for nearly all of the students English is a second or third language. For
men raised up in immigrant congregations (e.g., Ethiopian, Sudanese,
other tribal cultures), course work is a combination of distance learning and on-campus intensives. Graduates of this program do not earn
an academic degree but receive a theological diploma. However, once
ordained, they are general pastors in the Synod. Presently (Jan. 1,
2016), there are 32 enrolled in this program. In the history of the
program, approximately 70 have completed the program and have
become pastors in the Synod.
Program Goal—first-generation ethnic pastor for ethnic ministry (service where traditional graduates are unable or unlikely to
function)
Year Program Began—2003–04 academic year
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program—Provides
a specialized program leading to ordination for men engaged in
pastoral missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and other ethnicspecific ministry contexts. DIT does the same for deaf communities
and cultures. Both offer a program for women in mission and ministry contexts, which leads to commissioning as an LCMS deaconess.
Specific Needs Not Addressed through Other Programs—EIIT and
DIT provide a basic understanding of Lutheran theology and practice
within the context of the deaf community or the context of first-generation non-Anglo cultures, leading to certification as a rostered pastor
or deaconess of the LCMS.
Total Number of Pastors Produced—approximately 70
Program Completion Rates—not provided
Financial Assistance—CSL’s academic catalog states that “published tuition for EIIT/DIT students will not generally be discounted.”
It also states that “merit scholarships may be available, but are not
guaranteed.”
Placement—initial
Call and Ordination—at conclusion
Ministry Context—first-generation immigrant ministry
Educational Prerequisite—ability to work at a college level
Age—Ordinarily not less than 30 years of age. Pastoral students
serving in a first-generation culture-specific or non-English-language
ministry where no seminary-prepared pastor is available, and where
his presence and ministry are expected during and after the completion of the program. Deaconess students serving in or about to
enter into an internship where they are under the supervision of an
ordained pastor.
Experiential Prerequisite—Language and cultural fit. Must have
been actively involved as a communicant member in an LCMS parish
2016 Convention Workbook