Date of Award

Spring 5-19-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Practical Theology

First Advisor

Leopoldo A. Sánchez M.

Scripture References in this Resource

2 Timothy 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:3-6

Abstract

Auger, Edmund D. “Positive Factors Related to the Decision to Study for the Office of the Ministry by Men of The Lutheran Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua / Lutheran Church—Canada).” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2023. 128 pages.

The Lutheran Church throughout the world needs a continuing supply of men to serve as faithful pastors in the public ministry of the Gospel. The identification and spiritual formation of candidates for Word and Sacrament ministry is critical for the young national church body, Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua (Lutheran Synod of Nicaragua).

This project is a study of the life experiences of ten men who made the decision to study for the ministry in the Seminario Reforma of the Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua. The seminary program is facilitated by Lutheran Church—Canada. The field research was completed through interviews of a diverse group of men who belong to the Lutheran Synod of Nicaragua. The research questionnaire sought responses regarding their journey from first contact with the Lutheran Church to the decision to study for the ministry. The selection of the research participants was not influenced by their status in ministry service. The field research, together with the literature review, informs the summary report and recommendations to the Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua and its partner church, Lutheran Church—Canada. The cultural context of Nicaragua and the history of Lutheran church planting place natural limits on the outcomes of the field research.

The findings of this project may shed light on efforts to identify candidates for the pastoral ministry in similar settings, such as the neighboring countries of Central America. Finally, the project recognizes the challenges associated with sustaining theological education in an environment where the Lutheran Church exists in the early stages of institutional formation.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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