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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 274

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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274

IX. REPORT OF THE RES. 5-14A TASK FORCE

for at least two years prior to enrollment.
Unique Admission Requirements—(1) presence necessary to support ongoing ministry; (2) more appropriate than residential program
due to language and/or educational background
Language and Level—English as a foreign language
Region—nationwide
Location of Instruction—distance education
Supervising Pastor Required—Applicants must be paired with an
ordained pastor of the LCMS who will serve as their mentor/vicarage supervisor throughout the course of study.
Vicarage/Internship—concurrent vicarage
Degree or Certificate—certificate
“Growth Path”—none, but may pursue an MA in religion
Biblical Languages Required—none
Curriculum Length—16 courses, 48 quarter hours, concurrent
vicarage
Program Length—four years
Roster Status—general pastor
Attrition Rates—not known
Deaf Institute of Theology (St. Louis)
The Deaf Institute of Theology is a program serving deaf congregations that operates in a fashion very similar to the EIIT program.
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.
Program Goal, etc.—See above for EIIT program.
Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (St. Louis at Concordia, Irvine)
The Cross-Cultural Ministry Center, specializing in training
pastors and church leaders for urban, multicultural ministry is a partnership of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia University,
Irvine. The four-year curriculum includes a master’s degree in theology and culture (31 credits), seminary certification courses (45
credits), and a four-year multicultural, church-planting vicarage
experience (24 credits) leading to certification and ordination in the
LCMS. Graduates will be trained especially to serve ethnic-specific
or ethnically diverse congregations in the US. Classes are “delivered” on the campus of Concordia University, Irvine. The center
seeks to accommodate the nontraditional student. Classes are held
in the evenings and are also delivered via electronic means so that
students living outside of southern California are able to complete
their training without moving away from the church and community
where they work. Graduates of this program do not earn a master of
divinity degree but receive a theological diploma from Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, and a master’s degree in theology and culture
from Concordia University, Irvine. However, once ordained, they
are general pastors in the Synod. Currently, approximately 20 men
are enrolled.
Program Goal—new, sustainable, urban, cross-cultural church
planter following a plan and plant developed within program
Year Program Began—1995
Special Church Needs That Prompted the Program—the need for
a master’s-degree-level missionary pastoral formation program for
those embedded in their ministerial/cultural context (who otherwise
could not come to seminary) who start new ministries in non-Anglo
or multiethnic contexts
Specific Needs Not Addressed through Other Programs—The center provides a comprehensive theological education leading to general
pastoral certification with an emphasis on cross-cultural missionplanting, with the goal of a new, sustainable, urban, cross-cultural
2016 Convention Workbook

plant and new mission start developed within the program.
Total Number of Pastors Produced—50
Program Completion Rates—approximately 95 percent
Financial Assistance—No scholarships from Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, but Concordia University, Irvine, may provide a 33 percent scholarship.
Placement—initial (concurrent vicarage)
Call and Ordination—at conclusion
Ministry Context—new ministries in non-Anglo context (bilingual as needed), within Southwestern region of the US
Educational Prerequisite—bachelor’s degree with liberal arts criteria; must simultaneously enter Irvine’s MA in theology and culture
degree
Age—no requirement
Experiential Prerequisite—language, cultural fit, must be LCMS
member two years
Unique Admission Requirements—Presence necessary to support ongoing ministry. Bilingual competence is also necessary for
admission.
Language and Level—English. Need competence to work at a
master’s level in theology. All nonnative English speakers are assessed
and take English prerequisite classes if needed.
Region—West Southwest Region
Location of Instruction—hybrid; minimum eight courses face-toface; remaining through synchronous video conference
Supervising Pastor Required—Supervising pastor is chosen in
collaboration with the district, interviewed by the director of CMC,
and approved by Concordia, St. Louis.
Vicarage/Internship—four years of vicarage concurrent with
instruction during which time the vicar starts a new ministry under
the supervision of an ordained pastor
Degree or Certificate—Concordia University, Irvine’s MA in theology and culture
“Growth Path”—none
Biblical Languages Required—Greek
Curriculum Length—27 courses, 73 semester hours, plus six
Greek hours and vicarage
Program Length—four years
Roster Status—general pastor
Attrition Rates—not known
Other—For those near Irvine, 100 percent residential. For others,
three weeks, minimum two courses, residential; remaining courses
taught by synchronous live-feed video conference
Specific Ministry Pastor Program (both seminaries)
The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program was established by
the Synod in 2007 to help congregations unable to afford a full-time
pastor or congregations seeking help with a specific ministry. Specific
ministry pastors are ordained but always serve under the supervision
of a general pastor. Both of our seminaries operate SMP programs.
The SMP courses are contextual in that the men receive their
academic training in the setting where they will continue to serve following ordination. They work with local pastor-mentors who support
and guide them in the program and who provide day-to-day guidance,
encouragement, and prayer. The courses of the SMP program are supported by state-of-the-art technology which engages the students with
their instructors and with fellow students while building an interactive
learning community. Each course includes a blend of Internet-based
instruction, mentor interaction, practical ministry application, interaction with fellow students, and other requirements.
The SMP program is designed to meet the needs of the church