Thank you for this article. I'd like to offer a point of clarification:
Under the SMP-GPC information section, the following is stated regarding the curriculum requirements to complete the program:
"60.5 additional semester hours of credit, most delivered online using M.Div. residential courses, some on campus in intensive format."
The stated credit total is not accurate. Only an additional 28.5 credit hours (in addition to demonstrating Greek competency) are required for completion of the SMP-GPC program. Total credits earned between completion of the SMP program and of the SMP-GPC program are 60.5. The academic catalog linked in the article is outdated (2022-2023). Here is a link to the current academic catalog:
Specific Ministry Program (SMP) to General Pastor Certification (GPC) is 28.5 semester hours (~one academic year equivalent). Note, it doesn't have to be done all at once. If taking one course a semester, the SMP-GPC training is doable in six years for the SMP Pastor to make the jump to General Pastor (GP) with an equivalent training of Residential Alternate Route (RAR), the current standard for ordination as a GP in the LCMS for second-career pastors. So, that would be a 10-year distance education academic process from start of SMP to GP finish to undergo an equivalent training as RAR overall.
And, think about it, if a man entered the SMP program (instead of RAR) at 40, by age 50, he'd have GPC and if the Lord tarries in returning, could have 15-20 years left of active service in current context (the whole point of SMP) or to serve elsewhere as a GP.
Note on the 'Supervisory Leash':
All pastors (M.Div/RAR/SMP) are under ecclesiastical supervision of their District Presidents. Even District Vice Presidents like myself are under supervision by our DPs. That's not limited to SMP only.
Perhaps the congregations being served by these men would assist with the costs for the continuing education for their pastor to be able to better serve in their particular context?
Rev. John Zimmerman
3rd Vice President
Eastern District (LCMS)
---
Some additional information from brief review of CSL Academic Catalog
Like Heckmann noted, the 2025-2026 St. Louis academic catalog provides a needed clarification on the SMP-GPC route:
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Each academic program at the Seminary has a specific set of course requirements and other academic-related activities that need to be fulfilled in order to be awarded the degree/certificate. The academic requirements for the General Pastor Certification are as follows:
*Completion of all SMP course work (32 credit hours) and required GPC course work
(28.5 credit hours) totaling 60.5 credit hours (see GPC Credit Distribution Chart for
details)
*Cumulative grade point average of 2.35 or higher.
On Page 52, the following non-thesis option is provided:
General Pastor Certification (GPC) Credit Distribution
Completion of SMP Program 32
+
EXE522 Synoptic Gospels 2.5
EXE525 Pauline Epistles 2.5
EXE708 Old Testament 1.5
EXE 709 Old Testament Il 1.5
EXE528 Gospel of John 2.5
Free Elective Free Elective 1.5
HIS507 Introduction to Historical Theology 3
HIS559 Lutheranism in America 3
PRA514 Pastoral Care and the Word 3
PRA517 Personal Leadership and Theology 3
PRA528 Preaching in Your Ministry Context 1.5
SYS513 Church and World 3
Total for General Pastor Certification (GPC)
60.5 credit hours
The SMP to GPC option is asking for one year of equivalent academic training (28.5 semester credits) for the blessing of preparing both the pastor and providing their congregation with the Synodical standard of pastoral training for good care and teaching.
I'm thankful that this SMP to GPC option is available to help our SMP brothers get up to the Alternate Route standard, which is a good thing. There is also the M.A. option if they'd wish to earn a Master's degree. Remember, Residential Alternate Route (RAR) doesn't confer a Master's degree either. From p. 37:
GOALS
The RAR provides a comprehensive theological education with extensive grounding in both theology and practice, exegetical skills based on Greek language and ministerial formation leading to certification as a General Pastor.
Although the RAR itself does not lead to a degree, some students in this program may qualify for admission to the M.A. Program.
Thank you for this article. I'd like to offer a point of clarification:
Under the SMP-GPC information section, the following is stated regarding the curriculum requirements to complete the program:
"60.5 additional semester hours of credit, most delivered online using M.Div. residential courses, some on campus in intensive format."
The stated credit total is not accurate. Only an additional 28.5 credit hours (in addition to demonstrating Greek competency) are required for completion of the SMP-GPC program. Total credits earned between completion of the SMP program and of the SMP-GPC program are 60.5. The academic catalog linked in the article is outdated (2022-2023). Here is a link to the current academic catalog:
https://www.csl.edu/academics/academic-catalog/
SMP-GPC curriculum details can be located on page 52.
Thanks for the correction. The article is being updated now.
A good article.
Specific Ministry Program (SMP) to General Pastor Certification (GPC) is 28.5 semester hours (~one academic year equivalent). Note, it doesn't have to be done all at once. If taking one course a semester, the SMP-GPC training is doable in six years for the SMP Pastor to make the jump to General Pastor (GP) with an equivalent training of Residential Alternate Route (RAR), the current standard for ordination as a GP in the LCMS for second-career pastors. So, that would be a 10-year distance education academic process from start of SMP to GP finish to undergo an equivalent training as RAR overall.
And, think about it, if a man entered the SMP program (instead of RAR) at 40, by age 50, he'd have GPC and if the Lord tarries in returning, could have 15-20 years left of active service in current context (the whole point of SMP) or to serve elsewhere as a GP.
Note on the 'Supervisory Leash':
All pastors (M.Div/RAR/SMP) are under ecclesiastical supervision of their District Presidents. Even District Vice Presidents like myself are under supervision by our DPs. That's not limited to SMP only.
A Note on 'Escape Hatch':
Remember, Residential Alternate Route (RAR) doesn't confer a Master's degree either.
A question:
Perhaps the congregations being served by these men would assist with the costs for the continuing education for their pastor to be able to better serve in their particular context?
Rev. John Zimmerman
3rd Vice President
Eastern District (LCMS)
---
Some additional information from brief review of CSL Academic Catalog
(https://www.csl.edu/academics/academic-catalog/)
Like Heckmann noted, the 2025-2026 St. Louis academic catalog provides a needed clarification on the SMP-GPC route:
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Each academic program at the Seminary has a specific set of course requirements and other academic-related activities that need to be fulfilled in order to be awarded the degree/certificate. The academic requirements for the General Pastor Certification are as follows:
*Completion of all SMP course work (32 credit hours) and required GPC course work
(28.5 credit hours) totaling 60.5 credit hours (see GPC Credit Distribution Chart for
details)
*Cumulative grade point average of 2.35 or higher.
On Page 52, the following non-thesis option is provided:
General Pastor Certification (GPC) Credit Distribution
Completion of SMP Program 32
+
EXE522 Synoptic Gospels 2.5
EXE525 Pauline Epistles 2.5
EXE708 Old Testament 1.5
EXE 709 Old Testament Il 1.5
EXE528 Gospel of John 2.5
Free Elective Free Elective 1.5
HIS507 Introduction to Historical Theology 3
HIS559 Lutheranism in America 3
PRA514 Pastoral Care and the Word 3
PRA517 Personal Leadership and Theology 3
PRA528 Preaching in Your Ministry Context 1.5
SYS513 Church and World 3
Total for General Pastor Certification (GPC)
60.5 credit hours
The SMP to GPC option is asking for one year of equivalent academic training (28.5 semester credits) for the blessing of preparing both the pastor and providing their congregation with the Synodical standard of pastoral training for good care and teaching.
I'm thankful that this SMP to GPC option is available to help our SMP brothers get up to the Alternate Route standard, which is a good thing. There is also the M.A. option if they'd wish to earn a Master's degree. Remember, Residential Alternate Route (RAR) doesn't confer a Master's degree either. From p. 37:
GOALS
The RAR provides a comprehensive theological education with extensive grounding in both theology and practice, exegetical skills based on Greek language and ministerial formation leading to certification as a General Pastor.
Although the RAR itself does not lead to a degree, some students in this program may qualify for admission to the M.A. Program.
Thank you, Pastor.
Great article pulling all of this together. Thanks for making it cohesive.
And, sad to say my own district (TX) is under that umbrella in the last paragraph. I, for one, appreciate what Synod has done here.
Thank you.