Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 73

2026 Convention Workbook
38 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
B. Statistics
From January 2023 to January 2026, the CCPM received 45 ap-
plications, three of which were withdrawn. Of the remaining 42, six 
are temporarily on hold, and three are currently invited for an inter-
view as of this writing. Of the remaining 33 for whom a decision 
has been reached, 20 were certified, two are fulfilling requirements 
and likely to be certified, and 11 were declined. Of the 11 who were 
declined, 10 were not invited for an interview, and one was de-
clined after the interview. Reasons for being declined include not 
meeting the prerequisites for colloquy (especially either of the two 
colloquy category definitions), the number or circumstances of di-
vorce(s), or the need for more remedial theological study than can 
be provided through the colloquy process.
Because there are always applicants already in process when a 
triennium begins, a total of 33 were certified during this triennium, 
11 of whom applied in the previous triennium. See the tables below 
for a breakdown of church bodies and LCMS districts from which 
applicants came, as well as the country of origin for those not born 
in the United States.
# Church Body
6 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
4 Baptist
2 Lutheran Church of Australia
2 Nondenominational
2 North American Lutheran Church
1 Anglican Church in North America
1 Assemblies of God
1 Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
1 Brethren / Charis International
1 Canadian Association of Lutheran Congregations
1 Christian and Missionary Alliance
1 Conservative Lutheran Association
1 Independent Lutheran
1 Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
1 United Methodist Church
1 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Table 1: Church body of origin (U.S. only) for successful  
general colloquies (certified February 2023–January 2026)
# Country
5 Ethiopia
3 Cuba
2 Australia
2 Canada
1 Brazil
1 Liberia
Table 2: Country of origin for successful general colloquies 
(foreign only) whose first language was not English 
(certified February 2023–January 2026)
administrative assistants, especially on colloquy matters; and
•	 participates in frequent meetings of the Office of the Pres-
ident.
During this triennium, the Office of the First Vice-President said 
farewell to its long-time and capable executive administrative as-
sistant, Karen Dowbnia, and welcomed Carrie Beary as its new and 
gifted executive administrative assistant.
The undersigned is honored to serve the Synod in its mission of 
proclaiming to the world that Christ Is Risen Indeed!
Peter K. Lange, First Vice-President
R2.1
Colloquy Committee for Pastoral Ministry
Pastoral colloquy is the process by which a man who has served 
as a pastor in another church body or trained for the pastoral min-
istry in a non-LCMS seminary while being a member of another 
church body can be declared qualified for a first call in the Synod.
By means of colloquy, the Synod vets and provides pastors for 
the LCMS—over and above those men trained by our two semi-
naries—thus indirectly supporting the third objective of the LCMS 
to “recruit and train pastors … and provide opportunity for their 
continuing growth” (Constitution Article III 3). Colloquy is also 
one way that the Synod “work[s] in support of and on behalf of 
congregations to assist them in carrying out their ministries” (By-
law 1.1.1). Lastly, colloquy supports the first, second, and fourth of 
the seven mission priorities that the 2023 Synod convention adopt-
ed for this triennium (Resolution 4-03), namely, 
to “plant, sustain, 
and revitalize Lutheran churches,” to “support and expand theo-
logical education,” and to “collaborate with the Synod’s mem-
bers and partners to enhance mission effectiveness.”
The Colloquy Committee for Pastoral Ministry (CCPM) admin-
isters the colloquy process by establishing policy, receiving 
and reviewing applications, conducting in-person interviews, and 
deciding on each applicant based on the application and interview. 
Bylaw 3.10.2 governs the process. Applicants can be certified imme-
diately, declined certification, or assigned one or more of the fol-
lowing: supplemental seminary coursework, mentored readings, a 
traditional vicarage, or a shorter, less-formal internship. 
A. Committee Composition and Turnover
The composition of the CCPM is stipulated in Bylaw 3.10.2.1, 
which states that, in addition to the LCMS First Vice-President, the 
committee “shall consist of … a district president appointed by the 
Council of Presidents, and the presidents of the seminaries or their 
representatives.” 
This triennium saw significant turnover on the committee, with 
three of its four members replaced. Concordia Seminary President 
Dr. Tom Egger replaced Dr. Glenn Nielsen in September 2023, 
Concordia Theological Seminary President Dr. Jon Bruss replaced 
Dr. Detlev Schulz in June 2024, and Southern Illinois District (SID) 
President Rev. Heath Curtis replaced outgoing SID President Tim-
othy Scharr in December 2025. This is the first time since 2005 that 
both LCMS seminary presidents have regularly participated on the 
committee.