Diploma of Basic Theology (Click Here to view this page in English)
Enrolling for the Diploma of Basic Theology:
The Missionary Institute encourages students to complete all courses required for obtaining the Diploma of Basic Theology. This diploma represents the equivalent of Level 1 (entrance level) in theological education through the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary. The Missionary Institute functions as a regional center for the Center for Hispanic Studies.
In the United States, this Diploma of Basic Theology represents the academic qualifications for recognition as a lay leader, particularly as a licensed deacon or parish assistant in certain districts of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In addition to these academic qualifications, each district also has specific requirements that relate to the student’s moral character, the student’s abilities, necessary approval of the district president, etc. The Director of the Missionary Institute will help each student to find out about the particular requirements in the place where he or she wishes to serve.
If you are a member of a Lutheran church outside the United States, or if you are not a Missouri Synod Lutheran, you must consult with the leaders of your respective church to find out the requirements for serving as a deacon, deaconess, missionary, teacher, or pastor. Various Lutheran churches recognize the Diploma of Basic Theology. For example, graduates of the Missionary Institute can serve as deacons or deaconesses in many Lutheran congregations along the US/Mexico border. However, each church has its own requirements and students should find out what those are by contacting the leaders of their own national church bodies.
Requirements for the Diploma of Basic Theology:
Courses: Students wishing to obtain a Diploma of Basic Theology need to successfully complete the following courses in the Missionary Institute:
15 Required Courses for the Diploma
BIB 101 The Mission of God in the Old Testament
BIB 102 The Mission of God in the New Testament
BIB 103 The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ
BIB 110 Biblical Interpretation
DOC 101 Basic Teachings of the Christian Faith
HIS 101 The Mission of God in the History of the Christian Church
HIS 102 The Mission of God in the Reformation
PRA 101 Evangelism in a Hispanic Context
PRA 103 Church Planting Principles
PRA 104 Church Planting Seminar
PRA 110 Christian Education
PRA 120 Worship and Song in the Church
PRA 130 Preaching the Word
- or - PRA 140 The Mission and Ministry of the Deaconate
PRA 150 The Bible and the Hispanic Family
PRA 160 Organization of a New Church
Fieldwork: In addition to the coursework, students desiring to receive the Diploma of Basic Theology need to complete 5 fieldwork assignments in their congregations. (Those only taking one or more specific courses don’t need to do these assignments). Each assignment should last more or less one month. Students can choose from:
Practical Experience in Worship: Students have two alternatives for fulfilling this option: 1) They can write and organize the order of worship for 4 consecutive Sundays in the congregation, or 2) They can lead worship as the liturgist for 4 consecutive Sundays in the congregation. To successfully complete this worship assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 120 “Worship and Song in the Church.” The steps for writing an order of worship, or for leading a liturgy, are found in the Student Manual for that course.
Practical Experience in Education: The student should plan and lead a class on a topic related to the Christian faith. This class should last a minimum of 6 weeks, and may be a Sunday school class, a class for the women’s group or for the youth group, a home Bible study, or some other type of class approved by the pastor of the congregation. To successfully complete this education assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 110 “Christian Education.” The steps for planning and leading a Bible class are in the Student Manual for that course.
Practical Experience in Evangelism: The student will plan and execute 12 evangelistic visits, and give reports on the visits to the pastor or to the person in charge of evangelism in the congregation. These visits can be with people from the community, visitors to the congregation, or others with whom the church has contact, as long as they are unbelievers. To successfully complete this evangelism assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 101 “Evangelism in a Hispanic Context.”
Practical Experience in Leading Special Events: The students should plan, organize, lead, and evaluate a special event within the congregation, as approved by the pastor. This event can have the goal of evangelism (for example, an evangelistic concert), community care (for example, a speaker on family issues, inviting the entire community), or fellowship (for example, a potluck in honor of Mother’s Day). To successfully complete this special events assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 160 “Organization of a New Church.” The guidelines for organizing an event can also be found in other courses such as PRA 101 and PRA 103.
Practical Experience in Spiritual Care: The students should plan and execute 12 visits with people who are sick, elderly, or experiencing a life crisis (for example, going through a divorce or mourning the loss of a loved one). After completing the visits, the student will give reports to the pastor or the deacon or deaconess in charge of spiritual care. To successfully complete this spiritual care assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 140 “The Mission and Ministry of the Deaconate.” Good ideas for visits to families can also be found in PRA 150 “The Bible and the Hispanic Family.”
Practical Experience in Human Care: The student should work for one month in one of the congregation’s compassion ministries, dedicating a minimum of 5 hours per week to that project. The ministry can be, for example, a food bank, a thrift store, homework help for kids, medical or legal help, ESL classes, citizenship classes, or any other ministry the church has in place to help with the material needs of its community. The student will work under the supervision of the deacon or deaconess (or other leader) in charge of the ministry. He should attend planning meetings and participate hands-on in the work itself. To successfully complete this human care assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 104 “Church Planting Seminar” (the session that deals with holistic ministry). The course PRA 160 “Organization of a New Church” also has information on the planning of various ministries.
Practical Experience in Preaching or Speaking in Public: The student should prepare and present two sermons or two talks (conferences), under the supervision of the pastor. If sermons, they should be presented on two different Sundays during regular worship. If they are talks, they can be presented at any substantial church gathering, such as a women’s meeting, a youth group event, an conference open to the community, etc. These gatherings should have the approval of the pastor and the congregational leaders. To successfully complete this assignment, it is recommended that students first take PRA 130 “Preaching the Word”.
Steps to Follow: To fulfill the fieldwork assignment requirements, students should follow these guidelines:
- Pray.
- Choose which assignment you are going to do.
- Ask the pastor to serve as your supervisor. In some cases, a deacon, deaconess, or evangelist may be the supervisor.
- Ask for an evaluation form from the Director of the Missionary Institute, and give the form to your supervisor.
- Carry out the work in accordance with the steps and principles you have learned in class.
- Sit down with your supervisor to evaluate your work.
- Turn in the evaluation form—which should be filled out by your supervisor—to the Missionary Institute.
Supervisors: Normally the supervisor should be the pastor of the congregation. However, in come cases another congregational leader can serve as a supervisor. For example, if a student chooses to do the Christian education internship, the Director of Christian Education could serve as supervisor.
If a student himself is the pastor of a given congregation, the pastor of a neighboring congregation may serve as his supervisor.
All supervisors and projects must have the approval of the Director of the Missionary Institute.
