Teaching Ministry Colloquy Program
Concordia University Education Network (CUEnet) offers a program on behalf of the Concordia University System to teachers in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod schools who have not had previous opportunity to formally study Lutheran doctrine.
Upon completion of the program, students who are members of LCMS congregations will be certified by the LCMS and rostered with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as Ministers of Religion, Commissioned.
Non-Lutheran teachers are welcome to participate in the colloquy program, but they are not eligible to receive Lutheran Teacher Certification.
More information is available at www.cuenet.edu or by calling 800-238-3037.
You can also visit: //www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=672 for a broader description of the colloquy program for teachers.
Pastoral Colloquy
Pastoral Colloquy is the process by which men who meet specific criteria may secure admission to the ministerium of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This admission may be provided through a “colloquy” (discussion, interview) with the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry.
The 2012 Policy Manual, Admission to the Pastoral Ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod by Colloquy: Bylaws and Policies, states:
To be eligible to apply for colloquy, applicants must fit into one of the three categories listed below (the applicant will indicate under which category he is applying, but the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry is responsible for the final determination of the category in each individual situation):
1. Active Pastors from Other Christian Church Bodies: Men who, at the time of application are in good standing and in active service as pastors in another Christian Church body/denomination may apply for colloquy. Such applicants must be graduates of a program of study that leads to ordination, from an accredited institution,* with no fewer than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of required academic credit. Such applicants must also have served at least three years in a recognized ministry of their church body, and must supply suitable documentation of their active status and good standing in their current church body/denomination. Pastors of congregations that are not affiliated with a church body/denomination (are “non-denominational” or “independent”) also may apply, but must supply suitable references and documentation of their authorization to perform pastoral ministry. In all cases the academic requirements will apply.
2. Men Who Have Prepared for Pastoral Ministry but, at the Time of Application, Are Not in Active Service as Pastors: Such applicants must be graduates of a program of study that leads to ordination, from an accredited institution,* with no fewer than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of required academic credit. Applicants with prior pastoral service must provide the date (month and year) and the reason (e.g. retirement, resignation, dismissal) their active service ended. References and suitable documentation will be required. Such an applicant also must have been a communicant member in good standing in a congregation of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for at least two years* immediately prior to the time of application.
3. Licensed Deacons of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: Men who have been licensed by the president of a district of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to carry out, as a licensed deacon, the full responsibilities of the pastoral ministry in (a) congregation(s) of the Synod, and who have carried out these responsibilities for at least ten years,* may apply for admission to the pastoral ministry by colloquy. In all cases, such applications also must be accompanied by the recommendation of a congregation that holds membership in the Synod, on the basis of that congregation’s observation of and experience with the applicant. The application must also include written documentation from the congregation and the district president that the applicant actually has been responsible for carrying out the full responsibilities of the pastoral ministry for at least ten years. Finally, to be considered by the committee, the application must be accompanied by the congregation’s written commitment to extend a divine Call for the applicant to become its pastor once the colloquy process has been completed.
* Note: Should the sponsoring district president be convinced that the Colloquy Committee for Pastoral Ministry ought consider, on the basis of an applicantís special circumstances, an exception to one of these specific eligibility requirements (asterisked above), the sponsoring district president must furnish with the application a written recommendation detailing the special circumstances and the rationale for the recommended exception. The Colloquy Committee, however, retains the responsibility and authority for deciding to grant or to decline the exception. The decision of the Colloquy Committee shall be regarded as final by all parties to the colloquy application.
For more information including the application process, visit: //www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=1106