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CTSFW

Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne, IN

CTSFW

Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne, IN

SMP-EsE Admission Requirements

  1. An SMP–Español/English context may be:
    1. A congregation with a pastoral vacancy that can be effectively served by a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP).
    2. A congregation that desires an additional staff pastor who speaks Spanish.
    3. A mission start among Spanish-speaking people.
    4. Another specialized ministry (e.g., institutional chaplain, campus pastor, special cultural and/or linguistic needs).
  2. A SMP context is not to be one for which a pastor trained residentially at one of our seminaries can be provided or one where a commissioned minister would be suitable (Resolution 5-04-B).
  3. A SMP student meets the scriptural qualifications for pastoral ministry (see Admission Criteria document) and is identified by the specific ministry site and/or the circuit and/or the district in which the site is located.
  4. A SMP student in the CTSFW SMP–EsE Program must show competency in both English and Spanish. Exams in both languages may be administered if there is some question about the applicant’s competency in either language. If there is a need to administer these language exams, they must be passed successfully before admittance into the program.

Admission Process

  1. The applicant completes an application to the SMP–Español/English Program and submits it to his district office.
  2. The applicant should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office at CTSFW by the registrar of the institution(s) they have attended.
  3. The district examines the application and the applicant in order to determine whether the individual and the ministry qualify to be nominated for the SMP–Español/English Program. This examination shall include:
    1. An interview by the District Interview Committee.
    2. An examination of the individual’s credentials to assure that he can be placed as a vicar in the district.
      1. Has he demonstrated, or will he demonstrate, competence in the seven prerequisite areas?
      2. Does he have the spiritual and personal qualities to serve as a pastor in the specific ministry for which he is being nominated?
      3. Has he met, or will he meet, any additional requirements related to this specific ministry (e.g., church planters assessment tool)?
      4. A review of the application to assure that everything is in order.
    3. An agreement and plan to cover the cost of the SMP–EsE Program.
  4. The district office sends the completed application package, along with the district president’s letter of nomination, to the Seminary. Included in this package will be:
    1. Letter(s) of recommendation from the congregation/ministry site where the applicant will be serving.
    2. Letter(s) of recommendation from the applicant’s current pastor.
    3. Record of progress and plan to meet admission competencies (e.g., language exams in English and Spanish).
    4. A Partnership Covenant signed by the applicant, the sponsoring congregation or ministry site, the pastor-supervisor and the district, agreeing to complete the course work and seminars following examination and ordination.
    5. $100 non-refundable application fee payable to the Seminary.
    6. The district president’s letter of nomination, which will clearly identify:
      1. place of service;
      2. the specific type of ministry; and
      3. the pastor who will serve as the pastor-supervisor for the applicant.
  5. Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to admission using Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by the LCMS. The Admission Department will submit this on the applicant’s behalf, but the applicant is responsible for the fee. Applicant will be required to sign a waiver release.
  6. The congregation or ministry site completes a Vicarage Application and submits it to the district president for processing and assignment through the Office of the Executive Director of Pastoral Education, the Seminary and the Council of Presidents.
  7. ­­The Seminary acts on the application and notifies the applicant and the district of its admission decision. Once accepted into the SMP Español/English Program, the student will be assigned officially to his vicarage by the Council of Presidents.

A.R. Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission shall be male and shall be:

  1. Graduates of the Synod’s colleges, whose names appear on the roster of the Synod as commissioned ministers of the Synod, and who have at least eight (8) years of successful experience as commissioned ministers of the Synod and are communicant members in good standing of a congregation of the Synod, or;
  2. Communicant members in good standing of a synodical congregation who are ordinarily at least 35 years of age at the time of application, ordinarily have accumulated at least ten (10) years of significant experience directly related to Word and Sacrament ministry (elder, lector, evangelism caller, Bible class teacher, etc.) in a Missouri Synod setting, and have ordinarily successfully completed at least sixty (60) semester hours of college-level course work.
  3. Men licensed by their district presidents to perform functions belonging to the pastoral office.

All candidates will demonstrate spiritual, emotional, aptitudinal, social and cultural qualifications to serve as a pastor as identified in Scripture (I Timothy 3 and Titus 1); if married, have a spouse who is a communicant member in good standing of a synodical congregation and who offers spousal support and understanding of each partner’s respective role and involvement in ministry.

A.R. Admission Process

The process for application and admission to Concordia Theological Seminary normally takes from 6-12 months prior to enrollment. An applicant must submit the following documents for the admission process:

  1.  A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor (form provided with application).
  2. Four personal recommendations (forms provided with application).
  3. Information listing the ten (10) years of significant church experience (elder, lector, evangelism caller, Bible class teacher, etc.) in a Missouri Synod setting.
  4. Applicants should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office by the Registrar of the college(s) they have attended.
  5. Applicants should contact their district president to schedule the district interview. It is the responsibility of the district interview committee to arrange this interview. The results of the interview will be forwarded to the Seminary’s Admission Office.
  6. Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and have the scores forwarded to the Seminary for consideration as part of their application for admission. Those applicants who already have a master’s, doctorate or equivalent degree are not required to take the GRE. GRE test scores beyond five years will not be accepted. GRE Information Bulletins can be obtained from the Admission Office or at any college Registrar’s Office. The GRE is also available by computer at many locations.
  7. Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to admission. Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by the LCMS. The Admission Department will submit this on the applicant’s behalf, but the applicant is responsible for the fee. Applicant will be required to sign a waiver release.
  8. Confirmation of Admission: After the applicant receives his letter of acceptance, a signed “Confirmation of Admission” is to be returned to the Admission office at Concordia Theological Seminary as a confirmation of the intention to enroll. This confirmation will specify the newly accepted student’s responsibilities that will lead to matriculation at the time specified in the application.

Before Classes Begin

There are a few things we expect you to know before you begin your classes. For example, we expect that you’re going to know the basic flow of the Bible and Christian doctrine. Because the Bible is so incredibly important, we also expect that you’re going to have some basic skills in Greek.  You can demonstrate your knowledge through the Entry Level Competency Exams or by taking our pre-seminary courses.

Entry Level Competency Exams
Pre-Seminary Courses

M.Deac. (Distance) Admission Process

An applicant must submit the following for the admission process:

  1. Submit an application for admission to the M.A.in Deaconess Studies degree program to the Admission Office.
  2. Applicants should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office by the registrar of the college/university/seminary they have attended.
  3. Include a letter from their pastor as one of the three letters of recommendation submitted prior to admission.
  4. Undergo a criminal background check prior to admission. Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, will be used. The Admission Office will submit this on the applicant’s behalf. Applicants will be required to sign a waiver release.
  5. Applicants will complete and return the Confirmation of Admission form after a letter of acceptance is received. Confirming the offer of admission indicates the intention to enroll at CTSFW for the term you were admitted. Accepting your admission allows the Seminary to prepare more effectively for your arrival.

M.Deac. (Distance)
Admission Requirements

  1. Entering students are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Applicants must be a member, in good standing, of a congregation in The Lutheran Church—Missouri (LCMS), ordinarily for a minimum of two years prior to admission.
  3. Entering students are required to have served at least five years in a congregation or institution where their work has included an element of spiritual care and/or human care (e.g., teaching, nursing, care ministry in a congregation) and will continue to serve in this way throughout the course of their study.

M.Deac. (Residential) Admission Process

An applicant must submit the following for the admission process:

  1. Submit an application for admission to the M.A. in Deaconess Studies (Residential) degree program to the Admission Office.
  2. Applicants should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office by the registrar of the college/university/seminary they have attended.
  3. Include a letter from their pastor as one of the three letters of recommendation submitted prior to admission.
  4. Undergo a criminal background check prior to admission. Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by The Lutheran Church Missouri—Synod will be used. The Admission Office will submit this on the applicant’s behalf. Applicants will be required to sign a waiver release.
  5. Applicants will complete and return the Confirmation of Admission form after a letter of acceptance is received. Confirming the offer of admission indicates the intention to enroll at CTSFW for the term you were admitted. Accepting your admission allows the Seminary to prepare more effectively for your arrival.

M.Deac. (Residential) Admission Requirements

  1. Entering students are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Applicants must be a member, in good standing, of a congregation in The Lutheran Church—Missouri (LCMS), ordinarily for a minimum of two years prior to admission.

SMP Admission Process

The process for application and admission to Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, normally takes six to 12 months prior to enrollment. An applicant must submit the following documents for the admission process:

  1. The applicant completes an SMP Program Application and submits it to his district office.
  2. The applicant should email his completed Application to his LCMS District President’s office and CC admission@ctsfw.edu.
  3. The applicant should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office of the Seminary by the Registrar of the college(s) they have attended.
  4. The district examines the application and the applicant in order to determine whether the individual and the ministry qualify to be nominated for the SMP Program. This examination shall include:
    • An interview by the District Interview Committee. An examination of the individual’s credentials to assure that he can be placed as a vicar in the district
      • Has he demonstrated, or will he demonstrate, competence in the seven prerequisite areas?
      • Does he have the spiritual and personal qualities to serve as a pastor in the specific ministry for which he is being nominated?
      • Has he met, or will he meet, any additional requirements related to this specific ministry (e.g., church planters assessment tool)?
      • A review of the application to assure that everything is in order
    • An agreement and plan to cover the cost of the SMP Program
  5. The district office sends the completed application package, along with the district president’s letter of nomination, to the Seminary. Included in this package will be:
    • Letter(s) of recommendation from the congregation/ministry site where the applicant will be serving
    • Letter(s) of recommendation from the applicant’s current pastor
    • Record of progress and plan to meet admission competencies
    • A Partnership Covenant signed by the applicant, the sponsoring congregation or ministry site, the pastor-supervisor and the district, agreeing to complete the coursework and seminars following examination and ordination
    • $100 non-refundable application fee payable to the Seminary
    • The district president’s letter of nomination, which will clearly identify:
      • Place of service
      • The specific type of ministry
      • The pastor who will serve as the pastor-supervisor for the applicant
  6. Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to admission using Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by the LCMS. The Admission Office will submit this on the applicant’s behalf upon receipt of the signed waiver release form. The fee for the background check will normally be covered by the application fee. International background check fees are normally the applicant’s responsibility.
  7. The congregation or ministry site completes a Vicarage Application and submits it to the district president for processing and assignment through the Office of the Executive Director of Pastoral Education, the Seminary and the Council of Presidents.
  8. The Seminary acts on the application and notifies the applicant and the district of its admission decision. Once accepted into the SMP Program, the student will be officially assigned to his vicarage by the Council of Presidents.

SMP Admission Requirements

  1.  An SMP context may be:
    • A congregation with a pastoral vacancy that can be effectively served by a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP)
    • A congregation that desires an additional staff pastor
    • A mission start
    • Another specialized ministry (e.g., institutional chaplain, campus pastor, special cultural and/or linguistic needs)
  2. An SMP context is not to be one for which a pastor trained residentially at one of our seminaries can be provided or one where a commissioned minister would be suitable (Resolution 5-04-B).
  3. An SMP student meets the scriptural qualifications for pastoral ministry (see Admission Criteria document) and is identified by the specific ministry site and/or the circuit and/or the district in which the site is located.

Before Classes Begin

There are a few things we expect you to know before you begin your classes. For example, we expect that you’re going to know the basic flow of the Bible and Christian doctrine.  You can demonstrate your knowledge through the Entry Level Competency Exams or by taking our pre-seminary courses.

SMP Application Form (PDF)
Entry Level Competency Exams
Pre-Seminary Courses

M.Div. Admission Process

The process for application and admission to Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, normally takes six to 12 months prior to enrollment. An applicant must submit the following documents for the admission process:

  1. An application for admission to the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program. (Apply online)
  2. A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor (form provided with application)
  3. Four personal recommendations (forms provided with application)
  4. Applicants who are attending or who have graduated within the last five years from any of the Concordia institutions should request a letter of recommendation from the president of the particular Concordia College or Concordia University.
  5. Applicants should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office by the Registrar of the college(s) they have attended.
  6. Applicants should contact their District President to schedule the district interview. It is the responsibility of the District Interview Committee to arrange this interview. The results of the interview will be forwarded to the Seminary’s Admission Office.
  7. Applicants whose undergraduate cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) is below 2.75 are required to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and have the scores forwarded to the Seminary for consideration as part of their application for admission. Those applicants who already have a master’s, doctorate or equivalent degree are not required to take the GRE. GRE test scores beyond five years will not be accepted. Information can be obtained from the Admission Office or at any college Registrar’s Office. The GRE is also available by computer at many locations.
  8. Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to admission. Protect My Ministry, an agency contracted by the LCMS, will be used. The Admission Office will submit this on the applicant’s behalf. The applicant will be required to sign a waiver release.
  9. Applicants will complete and return the Confirmation of Admission form after a letter of acceptance is received. Confirming the offer of admission indicates the intention to enroll at CTSFW for the term you were admitted. Accepting your admission allows the Seminary to prepare more effectively for your arrival.

M.Div. Admission Requirements

  1. Entering students are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree or the educational equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university and have attained a minimum grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.25.
  2. Applicants must be a member of a  congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), ordinarily for a minimum of two years prior to admission. If married, their wife must also be a member of an LCMS congregation.
  3. Because of the doctrinal position of the LCMS, all candidates for the Master of Divinity degree must be male.  If you are a woman and would like to enter full-time service in the Church, consider one of our Diakonal programs.

Before Classes Begin

There are a few things we expect you to know before you begin your classes. For example, we expect that you’re going to know the basic flow of the Bible and Christian doctrine. Because the Bible is so incredibly important, we also expect that you’re going to have some basic skills in Greek.  You can demonstrate your knowledge through the Entry Level Competency Exams or by taking our pre-seminary courses.

Entry Level Competency Exams
Pre-Seminary Courses