New ministry pathway offered

We know three things about the state of ministry service in the LCANZ. Members are ageing; the number of pastors serving congregations is decreasing; and the number of vacant parishes is increasing.

So, with the support of the church’s College of Bishops, Australian Lutheran College has responded to these circumstances by developing a one-off accelerated pathway to ordained ministry that aims to prepare a cohort of candidates aged 40 to 55 for possible ordination as general ministry pastors in 2027.

Two years of intensive study and fieldwork scheduled over 48 weeks each year, will be followed by an in-service transition period. This transition may be served through a traditional vicarage placement, an internship, or an appointment to a ministry team or another directly supervised position. District bishops will work with candidates to find the most appropriate transition placement. This will enable them to begin pastoral work while finalising their vocational competence portfolio to ready them for ordination as graduate general ministry pastors.

How will it work?

The traditional academic year is 32 weeks long. This program uses an extended academic year – in 2025 it will run from January 27 to December 31. This will enable participants to complete a three-year Master of Divinity or Bachelor of Theology in two years.

Fieldwork will be completed in the participant’s local congregation, and the congregation will provide mentoring, pastoral and prayer support to the participant. Residential intensives will be included, but most units will be taught via online webinars. The program is not Adelaide-based; the expectation is that participants will remain in their local area for the duration of the academic program. Unit fees apply and a small stipend will be available to those accepted as candidates for ordination.

Who are we seeking?

Participants will generally be aged 40-55 and feel called to ordained ministry. They will be able to cope with the demands of two years of continuous study. They will be people whose family and friends can imagine them as pastors. Women are welcome to apply and, if the church moves to approve the ordination of women, participants will be people who are supportive of the female candidates studying alongside them, even if they themselves hold to the practice of male-only ordination. Participants will be people for whom now is the right time to respond to God’s call.

Where can I obtain more information?

Email enquiries@alc.edu.au to find out more. An extensive initial application process which includes, but may not be limited to, evidence of academic capacity, self-reflective writing, references from family, peers and a pastor, and one or more interviews, will result in offers of provisional places. During the first six months of study, the church will work through the remainder of its standard candidate confirmation processes. This includes psychological assessment.