Southeast Michigan Synod - Licensed Ministry Program

The Office of Licensed Minister

The most important considerations in the training of workers in the church are that they comprehend the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and are able to articulate this good news. This is essential because the gospel is the center of the church’s life and shapes its people into a community.  The church, through its constituted organizations, provides leadership of various kinds, such as pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers.  The church also provides training, oversight and support for those leaders.  The Synod may also authorize persons to assume other types of leadership roles in congregations, that the purpose of the Church is served.  The training, authorization for service, supervision, and accountability of these persons remains with the Synod.  The office of a Licensed Minister in the Southeast Michigan Synod has been created to enrich, amplify, and support the work of congregations through a 2-year program of study and a 6-month internship.  Primarily, the Licensed Minister is to be involved in the mission and outreach of the church as it seeks to draw others into its fellowship, minister to the needs of the community, and strengthen the faithful lives of the baptized.  As such, Licensed Ministers may have a variety of functions, such as teacher, catechist, evangelist, social service coordinator, preacher, youth worker, parish administrator, and so forth.  In addition, when a congregation does not have the services of a pastor, a licensed minister may be authorized by the Bishop to preach and preside at Holy Communion. 

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