PR0CEEDINGS OF THE FORTY-FIFTH REGULAR
CONVENTI0N
of
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD

[1962]

Prerequisites for Ordination

RESOLUTION 6-35

Memorial 632, P. 282, Reports and Memorials.

[Note: Section 4.15 of The Handbook (Constitution and Bylaws) prior to the Cleveland convention read as follows: "B. ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS. 4.15 Ordination of Candidates: A candidate for the ministry may be ordained only when he has received a legitimate call from and to a certain congregation and after previous examination has been found to be sound in doctrine, apt to teach, blameless in life, has made application for membership in Synod, and has submitted a request for ordination to the respective District President." C. Nehrenz]

WHEREAS, The College of Presidents has reviewed section 4.15 of the synodical Handbook regarding prerequisites for ordination and submitted a revised statement for acceptance by this convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That section 4.15 as it now stands be stricken and replaced by the following statement by the College of Presidents:

4.15 Prerequisites for Ordination

a. A candidate for the office of the pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod may be ordained when the following prerequisites have been met:

1. He shall have completed the prescribed courses of study and have received a diploma from one of the church's seminaries, or have fulfilled the requisites for a colloquy according to the synodical Handbook, 4.55 to 4.71.

2. He shall have received endorsement by the proper faculty or the committee on colloquies and in every respect have been declared qualified by them for the office of the ministry of Word and sacrament in the church.

3. He shall have indicated complete dedication to the ministry and the readiness to accept a call extended to him by the Board of Assignments.

4. He shall have received and accepted a call to a position the incumbent of which may be ordained according to the regulations of the Synod.

5. He shall have received and accepted a call extended through the proper channels to assume full-time work in the church.

6. He shall have made application for membership in the Synod and have submitted a request for ordination to the respective District President (or the proper official of the Board through which the call was extended).

b. Graduates of the St.Louis and Springfield seminaries who have fulfilled the prerequisites stated in a, 1-4 and who wish to continue their professional studies shall be assigned and ordained upon their request under the following conditions:

1. A call shall have been extended by a congregation or a proper board expressing preference for a particular candidate to be assigned to the function of pastor, or other synodically approved office.

2. The District President shall approve the call, and the candidate shall be assigned by the Board of Assignments.

3. The District President shall approve the request for ordination and receive the candidate upon his application as a member of the Synod and the District.

Action: This resolution was adopted.