What are the requirements for a pastor to be ordained in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)?

To become a pastor through Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., or through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., the primary path is the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program. This program typically takes four years to complete, including a year-long internship called a vicarage. Applicants must be members of the LCMS, have a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate the required qualifications through recommendations, interviews, and competency exams.

There is also an Alternate Route Program and a Specific Ministry Program. Alternate Route is a two-year residential program with a one-year vicarage for those with 10 years of theological work who are over the age of 35.

The Specific Ministry Program (SMP) is designed for men serving in specific ministry contexts within the LCMS. It offers a four-year distance education program alongside on- the-job training through mentorship. Upon completion, SMP candidates are certified as specific ministry pastors.

To learn more about becoming a pastor in the LCMS, check out lcms.org/how-we-serve/education/pastoral.

I see church colors changing for different seasons, but I noticed it’s been green for a while now. Is there a reason for all the green?

Green is used in many churches during the seasons of Epiphany and Pentecost. The time of Pentecost can be long as it can last from 22 to 28 Sundays depending on the year. This time after Pentecost is also known as “the time of the church” and can be referred to as the season of the “green meadow.”

As we grow older as Christians, we also continue to grow in faith and love toward others, as a green meadow would. This is a nice, long season to reflect on the growth and longevity God gives us.

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