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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 403

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 four -
member 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 
W
HEREAS, 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 a ny 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 
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: 
2026 Convention Workbook
368 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES