The CostWe’ve made every effort to make the SMP–EsEaffordable. The total cost for each year is around$2,000, depending upon the costs of books andtravel for the fall intensive course. We make everyeffort at the Seminary to keep our costs down in orderto keep your costs down. It is also typical thatcongregations or others will assist their studentsfinancially through the program. Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr.

Director of Spanish Language Church Worker FormationConcordia Theological Seminary6600 N. Clinton St.Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Arthur.Just@ctsfw.edu260.452.2138

Dr. Don C. WileyAssistant Director of Spanish LanguageChurch Worker Formation

Don.Wiley@ctsfw.edu260.452.3203

Additional Information

Contact Info:Admission@ctsfw.edu

800.481.2155www.ctsfw.edu/smp-ese

Concordia Theological Seminary existsto form servants in Jesus Christ

who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.

Specific MinistryPastor (SMP)Español/English

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

PurposeThe Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program exists totrain pastoral leaders for specific, limited ministry andmission contexts in The Lutheran Church—MissouriSynod (LCMS). In particular, it is a means to provideordained men to serve in ministry situations for whicha residentially trained pastor cannot be supported.The SMP Program is not intended as the route bywhich men who desire to spend their full-time careersin the full range of ministry opportunities will preparefor pastoral service.

Are You Ready?The first step down the road to SMP–EsE is talkingwith your pastor about how you might serve Christ inthe congregation. The SMP–EsE Program is designedaround a particular ministry context, which means thecongregation or mission agrees to use you as a vicarin the beginning, and to call you as a pastor sometimeafter you’ve completed the second year of theprogram. There are different ways that can work.Maybe you’re in a small congregation without a pastorright now and want more training to serve God’speople more effectively. Perhaps your congregationneeds extra pastoral help but isn’t quite able to afforda second (or third!) full-time pastor. Possibly yourcongregation is thinking about starting a new bilingualministry and needs trained pastoral care to lead thatnew outreach. There are many possible SMP–Español/English contexts.After talking with your pastor, the two of you thenshould speak to the staff at your district office. Thatoffice will be your central contact point for collectingyour application materials and getting it all forwardedto CTSFW for admission. As always, though,remember that the staff at the Seminary is here toserve you and the Church, so feel free to call us withany questions, comments or concerns.

SMP–Español/English (SMP–EsE) at Concordia TheologicalSeminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW)The need is growing for pastors in the LCMS whospeak Spanish and are equipped to serve in bilingualEspañol/English congregations. Hispanics/Latinosare one of the fastest growing demographics in theUnited States; projected to nearly double and to makeup 28% of the total U.S. population by 2060. It is important that this ministry give full expression tothe One Body of Christ (Gal. 3:28) where first, secondand third generation Latinos, as well as Anglos andAfrican-Americans, are offered the opportunity toworship (Rev. 7:9) and serve (Matt. 20:25-28)together rather than separate and apart. Many of those who might seek to serve the Church asbilingual pastors fit the criteria for the SMP Program.We have designed the SMP–EsE classes to take 10–15 hours per week. That time, however, is put in atyour convenience. Some online programs have settimes at which they require you to be online for class,but we recognize that life and ministry are often hardto schedule. The CTSFW SMP–EsE Program isdesigned so you can access the materials, turn inassignments and discuss them with your brothers andyour mentors at any time of the day or night fromanywhere in the world with just an internetconnection.

The need is growing for pastors in the LCMS who speak Spanish and areequipped to serve in bilingual Español/English congregations.