It is CALC’s mission to assist member congregations in the training and discipline of an ordained ministry for the administration of the Means of Grace. CALC’s Shepherd’s Pathway to Pastoral Ministry (“Shepherd’s Pathway”) is the program approved by our congregations by which CALC’s future pastors are trained. The Shepherd’s Pathway is a congregationally driven program. Candidates for the pastoral ministry hear their call to ministry and take their training while a member of a CALC congregation. The program is summarized below.
Program Qualifications & Goals
The Shepherd’s Pathway establishes qualifications for Ministers of Word and Sacrament and states goals and targets that the Candidate for ministry must achieve in order for the Candidate to be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Click here to access information on the qualifications for entry into the program and the program’s goals and learning outcomes.
Our Seminary
The Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT) of Brookings, SD, USA, is CALC’s seminary. ILT is an accredited seminary which utilizes online video conferencing to create a virtual classroom. ILT’s virtual campus allows a Candidate to train for ministry without leaving home. All theological training for the Shepherd’s Pathway can be completed at ILT. To access ILT’s website click here. To access ILT’s latest Academic Catalog click here.
God’s Call & the Candidate’s Awareness of the Call
The office of ordained ministry, defined by our Lutheran Confessions as “the ministry of teaching the gospel and administering the sacraments” (Augsburg Confession, Article V), has been instituted by God. Men and women are ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament because they have been called by God and God’s call has been affirmed by the call of a congregation.
Candidates for the pastoral ministry become aware of their gifts and God’s call to ministry in various ways. Some become aware at a critical moment in their lives or the life of their congregation. Some are urged by others in the church to consider their call. Some struggle for years with their call and their circumstances. At some point the Candidate is moved to share this call with their spouse, their pastor and other key people in the candidate’s life. CALC has developed resources to help in the process of discernment of the Candidate’s call.
Discernment of the Pastor’s Heart
When this internal call is expressed, the Candidate, his/her spouse, pastor and home congregation engage in a cooperative process which occurs over a 40 day period using a resource entitled: “40 Days of Discernment – Wrestling With God’s Call to Become a Shepherd.” The devotional readings help the Candidate to discern the qualities of, or the ‘heart of,” a pastor. Click here to access an electronic copy of the 40 Days of Discernment.
Assessing Readiness for Training
If, upon completion of the 40 Day Discernment process, the Candidate demonstrates the qualities of, or the “heart” of, a pastor, the next step involves the discernment of the Candidate’s readiness for formal theological training. Candidate’s for seminary training ideally should demonstrate a strong Lutheran identity and have a deep desire to serve as a pastor according to the Lutheran Tradition.
The ideal Candidate for the pastoral ministry is a member of a CALC congregation who has formed a strong Lutheran identity. A Candidate with a strong Lutheran identity has typically been raised in the Lutheran Church, that is, baptized as a child or infant, attended Sunday School, successfully completed a Confirmation program and thereafter has been an active member of a Lutheran congregation and has served as a congregational leader. A Candidate is considered an active member if he/she regularly and consistently: attends worship; participates in Bible study and other opportunities for Christian education; regularly participates in activities which promote maintenance of the congregation’s property and/or fellowship among congregants; and participates in the mission and outreach activities of the congregation. Leadership in the congregation includes: taking an active role in worship (as liturgist, lector, Communion assistant, sacristan, preacher, and/or leadership role in the congregation’s music ministry); serving on congregational council or a committee thereof; serving as a Sunday School teacher/superintendent or youth group leader; Bible study leader, serving as a volunteer coordinator; and /or taking a leadership role in the mission and outreach activities of a congregation.
A Candidate who was raised in another Christian denomination who has been an active member of a Lutheran congregation for at least five (5) years and has taken a leadership role in said congregation, as those terms are defined above. Our congregations are free to consider a Candidate who does not come from a Lutheran background or has not been a member of a Lutheran congregation for five years. The congregation must carefully consider the following factors in assessing the aptness of a Candidate for ministry in a Lutheran congregation: the Candidate’s faith journey, familial background, work experience, church membership, experience in church leadership, and educational training. Attention must be given to the development and formation of the candidate’s Lutheran identity through a combination of theological training and mentorship by a seasoned Lutheran pastor.
Application for Entry Into the Program
The Candidate completes an application for entry into the Shepherd’s Pathway to Pastoral Ministry. The application is designed to elicit detailed information relating to the Candidate’s faith journey, church membership and participation, leadership experience, academic background and employment history. The application, plus all supporting documents, are submitted to CALC’s Pastoral Personnel Director. Click here to access the application.
Educational Pathway
Following the processing of the application by CALC, the Candidate, mentoring pastor and CALC’s Pastoral Review Panel (PRP) (click here for information on the PRP), will work together to discern the educational pathway to ministry to be followed on the Shepherd’s Pathway. The Candidate will embark on one of two educational pathways: (1) the traditional Master of Divinity track (click here for description) or the Pastoral Ministry Certificate track (click here for description). Thereafter the Candidate will engage in the course of study.
Participation in Congregational Life
The Candidate, under the direction and supervision of his her/pastor, is encouraged to participate in congregational life, which may include occasionally preaching, teaching, leading congregational program and/or visitation. In this way the Candidate applies what he or she has learned in class directly in the parish setting. The Candidate will meet periodically with the PRP to discuss the candidate’s educational progress.
PASTOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAM
CALC Congregations are free to call a Pastor-in-Training (PIT). A PIT is a Candidate who is willing to engage in a course of study acceptable to CALC and the Congregation under the Shepherd’s Pathway while serving in the congregation at the same time. Information on this program is found below.
Call & Ordination
Upon the completion of the educational pathway the Candidate may be interviewed and vetted for call by a CALC congregation.
additional information
Click here to access more information on the Shepherd’s Pathway to Pastoral Ministry.
Pastor-in-Training Program
CALC Congregations are free to call a Pastor-in Training (PIT). A PIT is serves a congregation by preaching, teaching, administering the Sacraments, and providing pastoral care while simultaneously studying with ILT. The Candidate is required to complete three foundational courses under the PMC program (Biblical interpretation, preaching and a course on Luther and his Catechisms). The Candidate is supervised by a seasoned pastor. CALC has established guidelines for the call f a PIT.
Small Congregation: The ideal setting for the call of a PIT is a small congregation with access to retired or active CALC pastor(s) who could be called upon to supervise and mentor the Candidate. The demands of a smaller congregation are such that allows time for study, parish work and family life for the Candidate. The Candidate (under the supervision and mentorship of a seasoned pastor and the training received through ILT) and the congregation can grow together in faith, life and numbers.
Succession Planning: The PIT model could be used in a congregation where the existing pastor is contemplating retirement. The incumbent pastor has agreed reduce his/her ministry incrementally over a three to five year period. The PIT would assume greater responsibility for congregational life each year until he/she would assume sole leadership of the congregation.
Click here to access more information on the Pastor in Training Program.