Got a question

[ctay]

My question would be: Who told him that he could do this now that he finished his studies?

Personally if I were you I would abstain from communion on the grounds that he is not truly qualified.

This is grounds for "In statu confessionis" which means that you let him know why you abstained so that he understands your position.

I already talked to him about it, he asked me if he gave communion would I take it from him, I told him no.

 

[ctay]

Yes, I was told the same thing when I was in the program...of course, being a woman I was told I would not be able to administer the sacrament (duh!) but my male counterparts in the program were told they could.

Are they misleading people that finish the studies?

 

[DaRev]

Are they misleading people that finish the studies?

I wonder just what they're studying. It certainly isn't the Lutheran Confessions.

 

[DaSeminarian]

I already talked to him about it, he asked me if he gave communion would I take it from him, I told him no.

I am very glad to hear it. What did he say to that?

 

[ByzantineDixie]

Are they misleading people that finish the studies?

I honestly don't think they think they are misleading anyone. I believe there was a thing at the 1989 Convention in Wichita that authorizes lay ministers? DaRev might know something more about that. I didn't pay much attention because it didn't apply to my situation...being a woman and all.

 

[DaRev]

I honestly don't think they think they are misleading anyone. I believe there was a thing at the 1989 Convention in Wichita that authorizes lay ministers? DaRev might know something more about that. I didn't pay much attention because it didn't apply to my situation...being a woman and all.

The thing from Wichita had to do with "extraordinary circumstances" where there was no other pastor available. I'm not sure how they define "extraordinary circumstances" but I don't think it means "we don't want any old guys".

 

[ctay]

I am very glad to hear it. What did he say to that?

It just upset him. He didn't say much, just thinks he can do it.

 

[ctay]

One of the "old guys" was my former pastor. He is a good christian man.

 

[DaSeminarian]

It just upset him. He didn't say much, just thinks he can do it.

Tell him it is not about "ability" but about him not being a called and ordained servant of the word.

We had the same thing happen in my home church a couple of years ago. I wasn't as savvy about this situation as I am now so I took communion, but I wished I hadn't and made a statement about it.

 

[ctay]

I thought about emailing the district office and asking them about it see if I get an answer.

 

[DaRev]

I thought about emailing the district office and asking them about it see if I get an answer.

I send it directly to the district president. It couldn't hurt.

The thing I'm afraid of, though, is that this "lay training" program is actually sanctioned by the district, so the DP may not have a problem with it. If you're going to send an email, I wouldn't simply ask if its allowed, but I would state my objection to it based upon the Confessions of the Church.

 

[ctay]

I was talking to a lady at VBS this morning, I mentioned about that person giving communion, she said she talked to the guy's wife and she said the Synod he could give them communion for a year. I wonder what they told them. I could see if its a dire emergency not because they don't like the pastors around here.

 

[DaRev]

I was talking to a lady at VBS this morning, I mentioned about that person giving communion, she said she talked to the guy's wife and she said the Synod he could give them communion for a year. I wonder what they told them. I could see if its a dire emergency not because they don't like the pastors around here.

The question is, though, what does she mean by "Synod"? Was there a letter or something that came from St. Louis stating such or was it simply someone at the lay training that said "Synod says it's OK".

I guess I would want some sort of verification.

 

[ctay]

She said there was supposed to be a letter and I don't know know if it came St. Louis or it came from the District office.

 

[ctay]

Went to this church this morning, they had something to fill out that the interim pastor brought to figure out your spiritual gifts. Anyway the pastor presented the president the certificate that he finished that program what is it the Delta program for deacons. Well he's a deacon now. The pastor also gave him that letter from the southern district office. The pastor set the stuff right down in front of me and I glanced through, it didn't mention anything about giving communion on his own. Basically helping the church out, helping the interim pastor out making sure he's doing things right which I thought the elders were supposed to do anyway. He can do it for a year but after a year he has to renew it and it can not be transfered to another church.

 

[BigNorsk]

It's the DELTO program, Distance Education Leading To Ordination. It's a track into the ministry other than the Master of Divinity Route. He probably completed his first 10 courses and is now assigned as a vicar, it sounds like he was assigned to your congregation. That would be my guess anyway. I don't think he completed all 30 courses, probably just the initial 10 through the district.

Marv

 

[DaRev]

It's the DELTO program, Distance Education Leading To Ordination. It's a track into the ministry other than the Master of Divinity Route. He probably completed his first 10 courses and is now assigned as a vicar, it sounds like he was assigned to your congregation. That would be my guess anyway. I don't think he completed all 30 courses, probably just the initial 10 through the district.

Marv

I believe what she is talking about is LMTI, a district level lay leaders program. I know that the New Jersey district has a similar program. He wouldn't have been qualified for DELTO being in a congregation that already had a pastor when he started that program. There are very special circumstances that need to be in place before one can get into DELTO.

It may well be that the district level program can be the beginning process for DELTO, though.

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

I'm just curious. If a person feels a call to minister and doesn't have the financial resources to get an MDiv or is getting older and doesn't have the time, why wouldn't one of these programs be sufficient to allow them to preach/teach. I would think a God given call would be more important than having to jump through hoops for the synod.

Don't get me wrong I think that anyone that is "called" should definitely go through the MDiv program if resources are available because of the in depth intensity of the course. But if there is no other way then a "call" for God is a call from God. If I wasn't so "intense" and younger I would have been very interested in the DELTO program.

 

[ctay]

I believe what she is talking about is LMTI, a district level lay leaders program. I know that the New Jersey district has a similar program. He wouldn't have been qualified for DELTO being in a congregation that already had a pastor when he started that program. There are very special circumstances that need to be in place before one can get into DELTO.

It may well be that the district level program can be the beginning process for DELTO, though.

I believe that's it. both of those were mentioned.

 

[DaRev]

I'm just curious. If a person feels a call to minister and doesn't have the financial resources to get an MDiv or is getting older and doesn't have the time, why wouldn't one of these programs be sufficient to allow them to preach/teach. I would think a God given call would be more important than having to jump through hoops for the synod.

Don't get me wrong I think that anyone that is "called" should definitely go through the MDiv program if resources are available because of the in depth intensity of the course. But if there is no other way then a "call" for God is a call from God. If I wasn't so "intense" and younger I would have been very interested in the DELTO program.

With the financial aid that is available, a financial problem need not be an obstacle to seminary. I was broke, but I made it through.

And I wouldn't call seminary formation "jumping through hoops." I don't see how anyone can teach/preach without being properly educated. There are some serious problems with DELTO as it is now. I know of a congregation where there have been some issues.

And a "call from God" can take many forms, not just being an ordained pastor.