Colloquy for Pastors

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastoral Colloquy is the process by which men who meet specific criteria may be admitted to the ministerium of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. A properly qualified man may seek this admission through the colloquy application process which culminates in a “colloquy” (i.e., an in-person discussion or interview) with the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry.

The first step in the colloquy process is for the applicant to request an in-person interview with the president of the LCMS district in which he resides.

The Policy Manual for 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 meet the criteria for one of the following colloquy categories before proceeding with the application.”

1. Active Pastors from Other Christian Church Bodies:

CATEGORY 1 is for a man who has completed preparation for the pastoral ministry in a non-LCMS institution and is currently serving in a non-LCMS church body at the time of application. Such an applicant must be a graduate of a program of study that leads to ordination from an accredited institution. Such an applicant must also have served at least three years in a recognized ministry of his church body. The pastor of a congregation that is not affiliated with a church body may apply but must also fulfill the requirements above and provide suitable references and documentation of his authorization to perform pastoral ministry. (See policy manual for further detail.)

2. Men Who Have Prepared for Pastoral Ministry but, at the Time of Application, Are Not in Active Service as Pastors:

CATEGORY 2 is for a man who has completed preparation for the pastoral ministry in a non-LCMS institution, but is NOT currently serving as a pastor in his former non-LCMS church body and is a communicant member of an LCMS congregation. Such an applicant must be a graduate of a program of study that leads to ordination from an accredited institution. Such an applicant must also have been a communicant member in a congregation of the LCMS for at least two years immediately prior to the time of application. (See policy manual for further detail.)

Other Applicants

LCMS laymen and commissioned ministers who complete a program of study leading to ordination or its equivalent at a non-LCMS seminary are not eligible for colloquy on that basis (see Bylaw 3.10.2.4).

Policy Manual and Forms

An applicant for colloquy shall visit with the president of the LCMS district where he resides prior to beginning the application process. The district president shall have responsibility to help the applicant prepare a complete and thorough application packet.