DCO Colloquy

Eligibility for Admission to DCO 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. To be eligible for admission to DCO Colloquy the applicant must:

1. Be 25 years of age or older;
2. Possess an earned Baccalaureate degree;
3. Be a member in good standing of an LCMS congregation;
4. Serve on the professional ministry staff of a congregation or Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod;

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:

1. Sound in the understanding of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessional writings;
2. Living a life above reproach;
3. Competent for entry-level service in the Church as a Director of Christian Outreach.

In order to be certified the student must:

1. Successfully complete all course work and field and clinical experiences;
2. Maintain a 2.5 CGPA;
3. Through the final Professional Portfolio and Interview, provide evidence of having developed the necessary qualities and competencies identified for admission to public ministry;
4. Receive recommendation from the Colloquy Interview Team and the Director of the DCO Certification Program;
5. Be approved through the colloquy process of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Curricular Requirements for DCO Colloquy

The curricular requirements of the Director of Christian Outreach Program at Concordia University, St. Paul include:

1. Minor in Confessional Lutheranism or Synodical CUENET Theology Courses;
2. Outreach Major or Master of Arts in Christian Outreach;
3. Internship experience supervised by the University

A two credit seminar ÒIntroduction to the Role of a DCOÓ will be offered each summer prior to the start of the MACO courses. This is normally taken the second summer of participation in MACO for DCO colloquy candidates.

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.

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.

Colloquy Program Entrance Interview

1. Completion of a colloquy application file including:
   1. Colloquy application;
   2. Letters of recommendation (see reference form);
   3. Applicant background information form;
   4. Complete resume;
   5. Official transcripts.
2. Interview with DCO Program Director or a representative appointed by the DCO Program Director, the Director of Colloquy or a representative appointed by the Director of Colloquy and a Rostered Commissioned Minister selected by the Director of Colloquy.
3. Publication of applicant's name in the Official Notices sections of the Lutheran Witness.