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.
   • Please download the Application (PDF) to Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out your Application file and save your responses.
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