Ministry Standards
Ministry Standards
Introduction
This association affirms the priesthood of all believers. It commits itself in function and structure to equip and support all members of its congregations for their ministries within and outside of the household of faith. It is within and from this context of ministry that we declare that some are called by God to the public ministry of Word and Sacrament and other specific ministries. At the same time, all baptized members of our congregations are priests called by God to ministries in their daily lives. (LCMC Constitution - Article 3 - Ministry 3.01)
These ministry standards and procedures identify qualities of and qualifications for LCMC clergy.
Congregations are responsible to call their pastor. A call from a congregation may be either a certified or a contract call. They are defined below.
Certified Call
Congregations may call an individual to serve in their congregation with a certified call. This means they are calling an individual who is on the LCMC clergy list. Congregations are encouraged to support continuing education for those they call. The congregation will determine the title for the position held by a person with a certified call. Standards and terminology may vary by district or congregation.
Contract Call
Congregations may call an individual to serve in their congregation with a contract call. This means they are calling an individual who is not recognized by the association as a certified candidate. Persons called on a contract basis may provide ministry according to their gifts and as negotiated with the congregation. Further training is recommended. Some candidates may seek to acquire training which leads to certification, while they serve in a contract call capacity. The congregation will determine the title for the position held by a person with a contract call. Standards and terminology may vary by district or congregation.
Further definitions for these standards are as follows:
Ministry Board
The ministry board is an association wide group whose task is to determine general policies.
LCMC Ministry Board will oversee the process.
Standards for a Certified Call in LCMC
Candidates will subscribe to the LCMC Statement of Faith, if related to a district the district's ministry standards, state and federal laws and expectations of their endorsing agent.
Procedures for a Certified Call in LCMC
- Candidates will have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and a master of divinity degree from an accredited theological school or its equivalent.
- If possible, a mentoring pastor assigned by a ministry committee will develop a relationship with the student while that student is in seminary.
- When appropriate, psychological testing may be administered.
- For students or graduates of non-Lutheran seminaries, the ministry committee will decide what additional education should be assigned.
- Candidates will have a year of internship/residency or its equivalent. This can be a regular seminary internship, an internship/residency arranged by a ministry committee, or an equivalent experience, such as previous supervised work in a congregation.
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may be selectively required.
- Candidates will participate in a certification interview with a ministry committee. Upon completion of the certification interview and approval for a certified call, the LCMC office will be informed of the candidate's availability for call.
- Clergy on the roster of another denomination, who wish to become listed as LCMC clergy, can apply to the colloquy process in LCMC.
- To have a certified call, a candidate must have a letter of call from a congregation.
- Upon Completion of the above, the candidate can be ordained/installed.
Standards for a Contract Call in LCMC
Candidates will subscribe to the LCMC Statement of Faith, if related to a district the district's ministry standards, state and federal laws and expectations of their endorsing agent.
Procedures for an LCMC Contract Call
In an effort to provide for maximum flexibility to congregations to meet a variety of ministry needs, congregations and/or a ministry committee will establish the procedures for a contract call.
People in a contract call may be authorized for Word and Sacrament ministry. The congregation will give such authorization and will notify an appropriate district and the LCMC association office. This notification will be made so that persons in a contract call will be invited to appropriate pastors' meetings and continuing education opportunities.
Inclusion on the List of LCMC Clergy
LCMC and its districts will maintain a list of those serving in congregational and specialized ministry settings who have subscribed to the LCMC Statement of Faith. The list will include those with a certified call, a contract call, retired (emeritus) and those currently without call.
After three years of not having a call (except retired pastors), a candidate's status will be evaluated by the LCMC Ministry Board or its designates.
The LCMC Service Coordinator will maintain the list in a timely manner.
An updated list will be made available to all LCMC congregations upon request.
A congregation, district and/or LCMC Ministry Board will notify the LCMC Service Coordinator of any additions or changes to the list.
Knowledge of or disclosure of criminal convictions may warrant removal from this list. Moral and criminal issues, which would affect a current call, are dealt with by the congregation and may change a pastor's status on the list.