LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 252

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252 HIGHER EDUCATION

dent involved, to render clearly delineated limited service
in a specific place for a specific time.

The Synod reserves for itself the sole right to license
all lay ministers, and acts in this area through the Place-
ment Committee of Synod upon the recommendation of the
Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers, or Concordia College,
Milwaukee.

The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers and Concordia
College have established minimum academic, theological,
and practical requirements for licensing lay ministers. Readi-
ness for admission to the licensed lay ministry of the Synod
is demonstrated by:

1. An acceptable level of achievement in the area of gen-
eral education (beyond high school), as demonstrated by
acceptable testing or experience, and...

2. An acceptable level of academic achievement in the
area of theological education. as demonstrated by standard-
ized test or other examination. and...

3. An acceptable level of achievement in the area of prac-
tical theological training as demonstrated by acceptable
testing or record of experience.

The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers and Concordia
College, Milwaukee, have prepared appropriate by-laws for
inclusion in the Handbook. These are being submitted to
the convention for approval.

Lay ministry conferences, in-service, and extension pro-
grams are in process of development. The Board will be
represented at the annual gathering of lay ministers at Camp
Kota, Platte, S.Dak., July 2—6.

A circular, “You Asked About Lutheran Lay ministry”
was prepared and distributed to all congregations in the
Synod. It describes the lay ministry program in question
and answer form and exolains the cooperative arrangement
between the Colloquy Board and Concordia College, Mil-
waukee. More than 200 inquiries about lay ministry and
applications for services of lay ministers have been dealt
with since the Board was organized. Twenty-five persons
are presently enrolled in the lay ministry program at Con-
cordia, Milwaukee (11 freshmen, 8 sophomores. 6 part
time). Eighty-seven lay ministers are listed in the 1973
Lutheran Annual as serving in the field. One person was
certified for service as a lay minister by the Colloquy Board
during this biennium.

Proposed Handbook regulation for admission to the lay
ministry by colloquy:

4.101 Colloquy Board for Lay Ministers

a. Membership

The Colloguy Board for Lay Ministers shall
consist of one District President, one parish pastor,
one member of a synodical seminary faculty, one
member representing the lay ministry program at
Concordia College, Milwaukee, a Vice-President of
the Synod, who shall serve as chairman, and, in an
advisory and nonvoting capacity, the Executive
Secretary of the Board for Higher Education or his
representative.

b. Election

The voting members of this board shall be
elected with overlapping terms by the Council of
Presidents.

c. Function

The Colloquy Board for Lay Ministry shall:

1. Direct the colloquy program for lay ministry
according to regulations adopted by the Synod.

2. Serve as the Advisory Council to Concordia
College, Milwaukee, in its lay ministry program.

3. Work in harmony and cooperation with the
lay ministry program of Concordia College, Mil-
waukee, of which it is an extension.

4. Establish the academic and theological stan-
dards for admission to the lay ministry by colloquy.
in consultation with the faculty of Concordia Col-
lege, Milwaukee.

5. Approve for admission to the colloquy pro-
gram for lay ministry those applicants who meet
the preliminary requirements.

6. Examine applicants as to readiness for accep-
tance into the lay ministry of the Synod and rec-
ommend approved candidates to the Board of As-
signments for placement.

7. Make a full report of its activities to every
convention of the Synod.

4.102 Eligibility

Applicants shall be at least 20 years old, or have
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 Admission

a. Applications of men and women for admis-
sion to the lay ministry colloquy program shall be
directed to Concordia College, Milwaukee. The ap-
plication shall be accompanied by the following
documents:

1. Complete background information setting
forth clearly the applicant's background, religious
affiliation, previous churchwork, activity, and ex-
perience, employment 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 secon-
dary and collegiate training and a full description
of noncredit 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 pre-
vious employers or persons who have observed the
applicant for at least two 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 appli-
cation has been endorsed by the District President
and approved by the colloquy board. If no valid
objection is filed within 4 weeks after publication
of such notice, the colloquy procedure may con-
tinue,

4.105 Academic and Theological Requirements

Applicants for admission to lay ministry by col-
loquy shall be expected to meet the following aca-
demic and theological requirements before their
final examination by the board.

a. A college program culminating in the associ-
ate 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 his-
tory and practice, to meet the academic and the-
ological standards established by the colloquy
board.

c. Evidence of successful service in a church
agency within the Synod prior to regular place-
ment in the church.

d. Residence at a synodical college as deter-
mined necessary or desirable by the colloquy board.

4.106 Placement

a. The colloquy board shall recommend place-
ment of those applicants who have satisfactorily
completed their colloquy studies and passed their
colloquy examination.

b. The colloquy board shall report its action to
the President of the District in which the candi-
date resides and publish a report of its favorable
action in the official periodicals of the Synod.

ce. Every applicant whom the board declares
qualified for lay ministry shall be assigned his first
placement by the Board of Assignments.