Director of Christian Outreach Colloquy
The DCO Colloquy exists to support the work of those who function as lay-practitioners in DCO-type positions within the Lutheran Church. The DCO Colloquy program will provide opportunity for a lay-practitioner to become rostered by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as a Minister of Religion, Commissioned.
Eligibility to be Colloquized by the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod
Certification through Colloquy by the faculty of Concordia University, St. Paul, MN will follow satisfactory completion of the colloquy interview conducted by rostered members of the Concordia University faculty and staff. Admission to the DCO Colloquy does not constitute assurance of later certification or approval for Synodical Placement. Certification and admission to the public ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod gives testimony that the candidate is:
- Sound in the understanding of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessional writings;
- Living a life above reproach;
- Competent for entry-level service in the Church as a Director of Christian Outreach.
To be eligible for admission to DCO Colloquy the applicant must:
- Possess an earned Baccalaureate degree;
- Be a member in good standing of an LCMS congregation;
- Serve on the professional ministry staff of a congregation or Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Eligibility to be Certified by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Certification by the faculty of Concordia University, St. Paul, MN will follow satisfactory completion of required coursework and the completion of either the Colloquy or CERTIFICATION REVIEW PROCESS.
- Successfully complete all course work, field and clinical experiences;
- Maintain a 2.5 CGPA;
- Through the final Professional Portfolio and Interview, provide evidence of having developed the necessary qualities and competencies identified for admission to public ministry;
- Receive recommendation from the Colloquy Interview Team and the Director of the DCO Certification Program;
- Be approved through the colloquy process of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Application and Registration Procedures
- For application materials contact Kathryn Hagen at 651-641-6194 or Dr. Stephen Stohlmann, Director of Colloquy at 651-641-8824 or Kristen Schoon at 651-641-8230.
- Complete all application materials and return to Kathryn Hagen at Concordia University, 275 Syndicate St. North, St. Paul, MN 55104
- Submit official sealed transcripts of all work in higher education to Kristen Schoon in the Admissions Office. She will send copies to the Colloquy Office.
- Once all materials have been received the Director of Colloquy will schedule a colloquy entrance interview with the candidate. The interview team will be composed of the Director of Colloquy, the Director of the DCO Progam, and another rostered commissioned minister.
- Upon recommendation by the colloquy interview team the Director of Colloquy will forward the applicant's file to the office of the First Vice President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for approval and publication in the Lutheran Witness. After a 60 day waiting period the applicant is normally approved for entry into the colloquy program.
- The Director of Colloquy will make recommendation for the applicant's acceptance in the DCO Colloquy Certification process to the Professional Standards Committee and the College of Vocation and Ministry.
- The College of Vocation and Ministry will approve the applicant for entry into the DCO Colloquy program.
- For application to the Master of Arts in Christian Outreach Program (MACO) - (the delivery vehicle for DCO Colloquy) contact the MACO Administrative Assistant in the OHSCO office 651-641-8224.
- Those choosing to apply for the MACO degree program should complete all MACO applilcation forms and return with official transcripts to the MACO office at Concordia University, 275 Syndicate St. North, St. Paul, MLN 55104. Those seeking colloquy apart from a MACO degree should apply for admittance to Concordia University through the Unversities Office of Admissions, Attention Kristen Schoon, Admissions, Concordia University, 275 Syndicate St. North, St. Paul, MN 55104.
- Upon receipt of all forms and acceptance into the MACO program and acceptance into the university as a student in either the undergraduate or MACO program the applicant will be contacted by the Director of Colloquy to arrange an entrance interview. The interview team will consist of the Director of Colloquy (Chair), The Director of the DCO Program, and one other rostered person (faculty, staff or DCO from the field).
Tuition
Courses taken through Concordia University, St. Paul will be charged the established rate. For Theology course work taken through the on-line CUENET program the applicant will register and pay the fees established by that program.
Curricular Requirements for DCO Colloquy
The curricular requirements of the Director of Christian Outreach Program at Concordia University, St. Paul include:
- Minor in Confessional Lutheranism or Synodical CUENET Theology Courses;
- Outreach Major or Master of Arts in Christian Outreach;
- Internship experience supervised by the University
The curricular requirements for the minor in Confessional Lutheranism are:
21 credits
| RLG203 |
Old Testament Narrative |
3 |
| RLG206 |
New Testament |
3 |
| RLG241 |
Church History |
3 |
| RLG303 |
Old Testament II |
2 |
| THY330 |
Our Living Faith |
4 |
| THY341 |
Lutheran Confessional Writings |
3 |
| THY422 |
Christian Ministry and Practice |
3 |
The normal academic program for DCO Colloquy is to take the Master of Arts Christian Outreach (MACO). DCO Colloquy students may take the course work for the master's degree or simply for colloquy. For MACO application forms contact 651-641-8224.
A two credit seminar Introduction to the Role of a DCO will be offered prior to the start of the internship experience. This is normally taken the second summer of participation in MACO for DCO colloquy candidates.
Field Work and Clinical Practice Experiences
Field work and clinical practice experiences may be taken at the site of parish service. These experiences will be designed on the basis of need as identified through consultation between the Director of the DCO Program, the applicant and the pastor of the congregation, or the direct supervisor within the organization served by the applicant.
Transfer Courses
Any courses successfully taken from and transcripted at a Concordia University System institution or other accredited institutions of high education may be transferred into the program, if such courses directly correlate with Specialist/Colloquy coursework. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that appropriate transcripts are sent to Concordia University. The Director of Colloquy, Director of the DCO Program and the Registrar make final decisions regarding transfer acceptance of coursework.
Scripture and Theology courses must be taken through an institution of the Concordia University System or Valparaiso University. Scripture and Theology courses may also be taken through the Concordia Online Colloquy Program (CUENET.) For information on this technology based instruction see or contact the Concordia University Education Network, 345 Cyber Drive, Bend, Oregon, 1-800-238-3037, or http://www.cuenet.edu/colloquy.
Credit / Exemption for Life Experience
Credit or exemption for life experience may be granted by documenting accomplishment of outcomes through a portfolio process. The applicant and academic advisor will identify courses that may have been accomplished through life experience. The applicant may then compile a portfolio consisting of essays and/or statements of verification that will document accomplishment. The course instructor will then review the portfolio for verification.
Final DCO Colloquy Certification Review Process
The final certification will serve as the colloquy examination for those seeking to be placed on the roster of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as Ministers of Religion, Commissioned, as Directors of Christian Outreach.
- The final certification review process will be through a two hour interview which will include the following:
a. Examination and discussion of content knowledge of the Old and New Testament
b. Examination and discussion of content knowledge of the Lutheran Confessions
and Christian Doctrine.
c. Expression of synthesis of Outreach Philosophy through the final Philosophy of
DCO Ministry paper. The outline for this paper may be obtained in the
application for certification review materials and is discussed in the Intro to
the Role of a DCO course.
d. Documentation of successful completion of the applicant's plan together with a
2.5 CGPA in all course work taken.
e. Submission of final professional protfolio to the Colloquy Interview team.
- The Colloquy Certification Interview is to be scheduled after DCO internship and in conjuction with application for synodical placement.
- Approval of the Professional Standards Committee, Dean and Faculty of the College of Vocation and Ministry. In the event that a student is not recommended for certification the applicant may appeal for reconsideration to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall determine the nature of the reconsiderationi process.
- Approval by the Colloquy process of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as specified in the Synodical Handbook By-law 3.8.3.5.1-3.
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