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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 135

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
pastor is chosen in collaboration with the district, interviewed by the director of CMC, and approved by CSL.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): None

B.3. Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) (CSL)
Nonresidential Route
Purpose
Program Goal: General Hispanic pastor (for mission and ministry where the Spanish language predominates)
Year Program Began: 1987 as the Hispanic Institute of Theology on Concordia University Chicago’s campus; certification under the auspices of CSL. In 2006, 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. Mandate is to form Hispanic pastors and deaconesses for the LCMS.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: Pastoral and
deaconess formation for U.S. Hispanics (primarily immigrants) whose first or primary language is Spanish and are
serving in U.S. Hispanic missions where Spanish is a major
component.
Statistics
Roster Status: General, usually where Spanish language is
needed for U.S. Hispanic mission and ministry
Total Number of Pastors Produced: Since 2006, 77 total: 54
pastors and 23 deaconesses
Program Completion Rates (Past Five Years): The completion
rate for pastoral students admitted is 81 percent. The completion rate for deaconess students admitted is 81 percent.
Attrition Rates: Not known
Requirements
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 Requirements: Ordinarily not less than 30 years of age.
Pastoral students serving in a Spanish-language missions
and ministry where their 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. Actively
involved as a communicant member in an LCMS parish
for at least two years prior to enrollment; usually is already
involved in some kind of active ministry, often church
planting.
Unique Admission Requirements: (1) Presence necessary to
support ongoing mission and ministry; (2) more appropriate than residential program due to language or educational

135

background and socioeconomics
Language and Level: Spanish, but English is encouraged in the
classroom and optional for some class assignments.
Academics
Degree or Certificate: Certificate with MA option
Biblical Languages: None
Region: Nationwide
Financial Assistance: A one-third tuition grant is provided
by the seminary, with the expectation that the district will
cover one-third and the local ministry will cover one-third.
Additional financial assistance from the seminary can be
applied for.
Residential and Contextual Learning: Distance education
provided via virtual classroom.
Curriculum Length: 18 courses, includes 36 semester credits
and a concurrent vicarage.
Program Length: Four years
Vicarage: Concurrent vicarage begins during the first year of
studies and ends before the fourth year of studies is completed. No credit hours are granted.
Location: Distance education through virtual classroom
Call
Call and Ordination: At conclusion; rostered as LCMS pastors
and deaconesses
Ministry Context: Spanish-language Hispanic mission and
ministry in the U.S.
Supervising Pastor Required? If So, How Selected? Applicants
must be paired with an ordained pastor of the LCMS who
will serve as their mentor/vicarage supervisor throughout
the course of study.
Continuation Path (Besides Normal C.Ed.): None; may pursue
MA

B.4. Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT)
(CSL)
Nonresidential Route
Purpose
Program Goal: First-generation ethnic pastor for ethnic ministry (service where traditional grad unable or unlikely to
function)
Year Program Began: 2003–2004
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 ethnic specific ministry contexts. Offers program for
women in mission and ministry contexts, which leads to
commissioning as an LCMS deaconess. Also provides for
preparation and certification for students who are deaf or
hard of hearing.
Specific Needs Not Addressed in Other Programs: EIIT
provides a basic understanding of Lutheran theology and
practice within the context of first-generation, non-Anglo
cultures, leading to certification as a rostered pastor or
deaconess of the LCMS.
2023 Convention Workbook