“The preaching office is not an optional office but one whose establishment has been commanded to the Church and to which the Church is properly bound till the end of time” (C.F.W. Walther).
God established the Office of the Holy Ministry precisely to distribute Christ’s good gifts of Word and Sacrament. He sends shepherds, whom the Holy Spirit appoints as overseers, to care for His flock.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is fully committed to the spiritual, character, confessional, physical, emotional and intellectual development of our pastors.
This commitment begins at Baptism and continues in the Christian family, the local congregation, at university, and in seminary. It is followed by a whole life of continuing education.
Hear what some young LCMS men are saying about the church, vocation, sacrifice and service.
Tomorrow’s pastors are in your congregation and in your family right now.
The April issue explores a Christian life on earth and our eternal life in Christ.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod offers various seminary study programs through its two seminaries: Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
This program at both seminaries forms two-thirds of LCMS pastoral ministry students. It involves three years of on-campus study, plus a one-year vicarage (internship).
Graduates receive a M.Div. degree and may proceed to additional graduate-level study. Ordinarily, a baccalaureate degree is required for admission.
This program at both seminaries is open to laymen and male ministers of religion-commissioned who meet specific eligibility requirements involving both age and length of service.
The program involves a shorter period of study than the M.Div. program (approximately one year less), and it does not utilize Hebrew in the study of the Old Testament.
It does not result in the awarding of an academic degree, though some students in this program may also qualify for admission to the Master of Arts degree program
The Specific Ministry Pastor Program is a distance-based, specialized program of theological education available at both seminaries. It is available to those involved in a ministry site where they will serve as vicars for the first two years of the program.
After successful completion of the first two years and certification by the seminary faculty, students are ordained and complete two more years of instruction.
Participants have the approval and support of their home church and the LCMS district they serve.
Each SMP is supervised by an experienced LCMS pastor during and after his program of study, and each program faces restrictions concerning service in the pastoral ministry.
Both seminaries offer additional non-residential programs intended for men who wish to be Spanish-language pastors, men who wish to be formed for effective pastoral leadership within an ethnic immigrant community and men who have completed the SMP program and desire to continue study in order to be eligible for roster as a General Pastor in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
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