wfn.org | ELCA Emphasizes Theological Education Beyond the Classroom

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 21, 1997

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
97-19-056-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America puts
a great deal of emphasis on formal education for its clergy and lay
leaders. Now the church is ready to formalize education beyond the
classroom.  First call theological education (FCTE) is a structured
program of theological education for Lutherans in their first three
years as pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal
ministers of the ELCA.
     "This is a fresh idea, to consider that theological education
doesn't just happen in seminaries," said Connie Leean Seraphine, ELCA
coordinator for first call theological education.  Church leaders go
to seminary for "their best grounding in biblical and theological
studies and systematics, but ... theological education involves the
whole church."
     After a six-year study of theological education, the ELCA's 1995
Churchwide Assembly decided "to require, by the fall of 1997, that all
newly rostered pastors and lay leaders participate, throughout their
first three years of ministry under call, in structured programs of
theological education, designed and supervised by their synods
according to churchwide standards."
     The ELCA's 65 synods have spent four years developing pilot
programs to offer FCTE and to help set churchwide standards.
     The task force leading the study reported, "To a large extent ...
ministry strengths are finally realized only in the practice of
ministry in the setting of a specific congregation and its larger
social, economic and cultural context.  Newly called leaders learn to
do ministry and develop life-long patterns of theological reflection
and spiritual discipline during their early years of service.  Their
transition could be greatly enhanced by collegial support and a
structure for learning."
     A master of divinity is the minimum degree required of ELCA
clergy. Earning the degree usually requires a bachelor's degree and
four years of seminary education, including a parish internship during
the third year.  Associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal
ministers of the ELCA are also expected to hold advanced degrees or
receive specialized education.
     The new church leader's first congregation is a key component of
the program.  A videotape, "First Call Theological Education,"
introduces ELCA congregations to the program.  The congregation
becomes an extension of the seminary, said Seraphine.
     "The newly called find a way to contextualize their learning, to
make it fit the needs of that congregation; and the congregational
members help to clarify what is really needed," she said.
"Congregational members are seen as partners in this process."
     The congregation and leader negotiate a "mutual learning
covenant" that helps everyone get better acquainted and match the
needs and goals of the congregation and the leader.
     The core program requires 25 "contact hours" each year, which is
the equivalent of attending three two-day continuing education events,
and 25 "contact hours" of elective education specific to the context
of first call.  FCTE also involves structured reading on ministerial
identity, ministry in the context of the congregation and other
ministry skills.
     FCTE is a churchwide program designed locally, said Seraphine.
Since no two congregations are alike, the seminary can only lay the
foundation for ministry in any setting.
     The programs also use Lutheran pastors in neighboring parishes as
mentors for the new pastor.
     "There is an ecumenical dimension to this," Seraphine added.
Some synods are creating "colleague groups" including area church
leaders from other denominations, and the elective requirements are
sometimes met through the continuing education programs of other
church bodies.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html