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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 368

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

368

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

Admission to the Pastoral Ministry of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod by Colloquy (CCPM Policy Manual); and
WHEREAS, For 61 years prior to the 2010 Synod convention (i.e.,
from 1949–2010), the Synod Bylaws for pastoral colloquy, as
contained in the Handbook, reflected the more fulsome details of
policy and procedure that existed in the Bylaws until 2010; and
WHEREAS, In response to the 2010 Synod convention action, the
CCPM placed the removed bylaws into its policy manual; and
WHEREAS, These former bylaws (now policies) have changed a
little bit in the 16 years since then, though a great percentage of the
material remains unchanged; and
WHEREAS, As is the case with policy manuals, in general, the
CCPM Policy Manual can be changed at any time by the fourmember CCPM; and
WHEREAS, There are many important requirements for pastoral
colloquy that have been in place for many years and regarding
changes to which it would be wise to involve a larger representative
body in a more deliberate process; and
WHEREAS, The well-known Handbook is a more accessible place
to house these important requirements for pastoral colloquy rather
than the lesser-known CCPM Policy Manual; and
WHEREAS, This overture does not seek or intend to introduce to
the bylaws any substantial changes to the requirements for pastoral
colloquy as contained in the CCPM Policy Manual; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.2.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
B. Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry
3.10.2
The Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry shall be
responsible for the reception and processing of applications for
individual membership in the Synod through colloquy.
3.10.2.1
The Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry shall
consist of the First Vice-President of the Synod as chairman, a
district president appointed by the Council of Presidents, and the
presidents of the seminaries or their representatives.
3.10.2.2
The Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry shall
establish and monitor academic, theological, and personal standards
for admission to the office of the pastoral ministry by colloquy after
consultation with the faculties of the seminaries. It may consider and
approve those applicants who meet the requirements for eligibility
as specified in this bylaw and concerning whom no valid objection
is made pursuant to paragraph (c). In consultation with the President
of the Synod, it shall develop any necessary additional policies to
govern eligibility and the process to be followed to determine
qualifications and suitability for pastoral service in the Synod.
(a) In consultation with the President of the Synod, it shall
develop all necessary policies to govern eligibility and the
process to be followed to determine qualifications and suitability
for pastoral service in the Synod.Only such male applicants shall
be considered eligible to apply for colloquy who are
(1) ministers in good standing in other Christian church
bodies (or independent congregations), are graduates of
programs of study leading to ordination of no less than 60
semester hours or the equivalent thereof in length from
accredited institutions, and have served at least three years in
a recognized ministry of their church body, unless granted an
exception to either of these last two requirements by the
colloquy committee; or
(2) graduates of programs of study leading to ordination of no
less than 60 semester hours or the equivalent thereof in length
from accredited institutions, who have been communicant
members in good standing of congregations of the Synod for

2026 Convention Workbook

at least two years immediately prior to the time of application
(unless granted an exception to either of these last two
requirements by the colloquy committee), and whose
congregations adhere to Bylaw 2.5.2; or
(3) pastors emeriti from other church bodies may apply
according to category 2 above. If certified by the committee,
they may be placed on the roster of the Synod according to
Bylaw 2.7.5.
(b) Applicants for colloquy shall be directed to the president of
the district where the applicant resides.
(1) The district president shall refer the applicant to a district
interview committee, who shall give a report and
recommendation to the district president.
(2) The district president shall recommend qualified
applicants to the chairman of the colloquy committee. Such
recommendation shall be processed according to the policies
and procedures adopted by the Colloquy Committee for the
Pastoral Ministry.
(c) The colloquy committee shall publish notice of its intent to
interview an applicant in an official periodical of the Synod
unless the applicant requests such notice be delayed until after his
interview.
(1) If no valid objection is received by the committee within
30 days after the publication of such notice, the applicant may
be interviewed.
(2) If the applicant was interviewed first, notice shall then be
published and upon publication 30 days be given for valid
objections to be received.
(3) The committee, in its sole discretion, shall decide whether
an objection is valid. Its decision shall not be the subject of
any appeal.
(d) The colloquy committee shall arrange for an in-person
colloquy, or discussion, with qualified applicants. The decision
on each applicant shall be made on the basis of the colloquy
application and examination and shall be the sole prerogative of
the colloquy committee.
(e) The criteria by which the colloquy committee shall determine
an applicant’s readiness for certification are to be based upon
adopted standards, including, but not limited to,
(1) areas of general education;
(2) understanding of and agreement with the scriptural and
doctrinal positions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod;
(3) familiarity with the history and polity of the Synod;
(4) studies in theology assuring a well-rounded education in
the major fields of theological discipline;
(5) positive experience in the work of the pastoral ministry;
and
(6) demonstrated moral character (“above reproach”).
(f) The colloquy committee, at its sole discretion, shall
determine the content and amount of academic work, personal
study programs, or supervised ministry that may be required prior
to certification. To this end, the committee may assign residential
and/or online seminary coursework, mentored readings, and/or a
formal vicarage or a shorter informal internship.
(g) The committee, at its discretion, may require a second
colloquy interview following the completion of such study and/or
supervised ministry.
(bh) Decisions to declare applicants qualified for the pastoral
ministry and to certify for placement shall be at the sole discretion
of the committee.
(i) The committee shall: