Academic Programs —Alternate Routes
The consideration and final judgment for any modification shall be made according to the following criteria: Scholastic Performance: Students will have demonstrated an academic achievement of 2.75 or better in their first academic year of residence. Personal Suitability: Students will have shown an excellent rating in the personal qualifications for a ministry (responsible, resourceful, person-centered, service-centered, emotionally stable, secure, etc.). In applying, students will submit one or more ratings by a qualified supervisor according to the normal guidelines for evaluation of vicars. Pastoral Skills: Students will have demonstrated excellent performance both in quantity and quality in basic ministerial skills, preaching, pastoral evangelism, care and counseling, administration and leadership, and group work. In applying, students will submit one or more ratings by a qualified supervisor according to the normal guidelines for evaluation of vicars. Lutheran Atmosphere: A recent convert to Lutheranism of less than four years prior to seminary admission will not be eligible for this modified program. Exceptions can also be extended to the following two categories of students: 1. Students belonging to a specific ethnic group for which the third year vicarage poses a cultural barrier to effective proclamation of the Gospel among the members of that special group. Designating such groups is the joint responsibility of the seminary and the appropriate board(s) of the Synod. 2. Students who transfer from the Alternate Route program to the M.Div. program. In every case, however, a major deficiency in the area of personal suitability or a low level of professional competence or a lack of experience in more than one area of basic pastoral skills shall require a regular vicarage. If the seminary decides to grant a vicarage modification to a student, the major alternative for meeting the vicarage requirement will be the delayed vicarage which places the vicarage program as the final year of seminary training. No summer vicarage nor program concurrent to an academic year of training will serve as an alternate program for a modified vicarage.
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