About the General Pastor Certification
Those who have completed the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program and desire to attain General Pastor Certification (GPC) and roster status in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod can have their SMP course credits applied towards an Alternate Route (AR) certificate or Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program. Those completing the AR program can also earn a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) degree if they have already earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Credits from the SMP program must be applied to the MDiv or MAPS degree programs within a ten-year period.
Admission Requirements
Because of the doctrinal position of the LCMS, all candidates for the General Pastor Certification program must be men. If you are a woman who would like to enter full-time service in the Church, consider our diaconal programs.
- Knowledge of Greek, shown by taking Entry Level Competency Exams or our pre-seminary courses.
- Successful completion or anticipated completion of the SMP program.
- One letter of recommendation from your District President.
- One letter of recommendation from the CTSFW Director of Pastoral Formation Programs.
SMP pastors who have successfully completed the SMP program have three options for GPC at CTSFW. All field education and vicarage requirements are fulfilled by previous pastoral experience.
RESIDENTIAL MDIV COMPLETION – 88 HOURS
RESIDENTIAL AR COMPLETION – 42 HOURS
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may add MAPS.
DISTANCE AR COMPLETION – 42 HOURS
Students may take all courses synchronously online, or may take some courses online and some on campus.
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may add MAPS.
A graduate of the GPC program
- confesses the faith of the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions;
- interprets biblical texts in agreement with the Lutheran Confessions;
- embraces baptism, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper;
- preaches and teaches biblical truth;
- worships, prays, and gives thanks;
- views church history as the history of his own family;
- defends the faith;
- exemplifies Christian life;
- cares for the children of God;
- gathers those outside the church into the saving fellowship of Christ’s body.
GPC Cost of Attendance (COA)
You can see a breakdown of the costs associated with this program and explore your options using our interactive cost of attendance calculator. Click the button below to get started.