 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
ORDINATION
The American Lutheran Theological Seminary, through Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, offers several programs leading to ordination in the pastoral ministry of The American Association of Lutheran Churches. These are: the Master of Divinity Degree, the Lutheran House of Studies, and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Cooperative Program.
Before one comes to seminary, a person needs to meet certain qualifications. A prospective student’s faith, sense of call, the witness of others as to the prospective student’s fitness for ordained ministry, and the student’s academic readiness are examined.
Academic prerequisites for all programs are: a baccalaureate, one year of Hellenistic (biblical) Greek, and one quarter course in classical (biblical) Hebrew. Information about an entrance program for those not having a baccalaureate degree is available upon request. Normally a student needs to have a bachelor’s degree as proof of his academic readiness. However, if a student meets certain conditions he can be admitted under the non-baccalaureate admissions standard. In this case the student is required to demonstrate a level of knowledge in a specified list of subjects that is equivalent to two years of college.
The advent of internet communications has given ALTS the opportunity to offer its courses to distance learning students, i.e., students who do not attend the Seminary’s programs on campus. Through the use of e-mail and other media, students receive and submit course materials and ask questions of faculty members. Some lectures are televised so that students who cannot make it to the campus will be able to participate. Training away from the Seminary campus is coordinated with other pastors so that the student will receive the necessary practical experience, spiritual formation, and personal contact that the student needs.
Master of Divinity Program
The Master of Divinity is a comprehensive training program for the pastoral ministry and involves the student in three years of study and one year of practical training.
Lutheran House of Studies
Since its inception, the Seminary has provided training through various ways other than through its own courses. The Lutheran House of Studies (LHS) program permits students to attend certain seminaries other than ALTS for their pastoral training. In this program the student is advised by the faculty of ALTS how to derive from his school the training that ALTS requires for its students. In addition to the training a student receives at the LHS seminary, the student takes ALTS courses to fill out whatever necessary courses the LHS seminary does not offer.
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Cooperation
Another program for pastoral training is an on-going agreement The AALC has with other Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) seminaries. Similar to the Lutheran House of Studies program, this arrangement facilitates cooperation between The AALC and the LCMS in the training of men for ministry in the TAALC.
Home | ALTS Advantages |Philosophy of Edu | Objectives | Doctrine | History | Affiliation
Bulletins | Admission | Fees | Financial Aid | ALTS Staff | CTS Faculty | Calendar | Events
First Call Theological Ed | Online Library | Contact Us | Giving | Adopt A Student
Endowment | Community | Map | The AALC | Concordia Sem | Webmaster