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New Partnership Enables Lutheran Students to Take Classes at BKSM to become Pastoral Ministry Associates

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The Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) have entered into a new partnership to help provide high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities for current and future church leaders. BKSM is a joint venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Kansas, Nebraska, West Missouri and Western Kansas.

Lay leaders in the Central States Synod seeking to become a Pastoral Ministry Associate (PMA) can choose to take a portion of their required coursework at BKSM.  Once certified, PMAs may serve alongside rostered leaders in their own congregations or, with the approval of the bishop, enter into a covenant relationship to serve a congregation or parish as the primary pastoral leader.

Conversations about a potential partnership began in early fall 2014, when all five bishops agreed to greater collaboration between the two denominations, which are already in full communion with one another. From the outset, all shared the same vision about potential join efforts in ministerial formation and education. The Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop’s Associate to Central States Synod Bishop Roger Gustafson, organized a number of meetings to further explore opportunities for partnership. Heather Yerion-Keck of St. James Lutheran Church, Kansas City, Mo., became the first PMA student to enroll at BKSM this past August.

The Very Rev. Don Compier, BKSM’s dean, said of the collaboration between the two bodies. “We are approaching the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Luther's reform impacted all of Christianity, including Anglicanism. Sadly, theological disagreements divided Anglicans and Lutherans for centuries. The concordats recognizing one another's ministries, agreed to both in Europe and the US in the 1990's, were watersheds, bringing our two communions into much closer collaboration. It is exciting to see us live more deeply into this spirit of unity as we work together in the education of our ministers, lay and ordained.”

Five BKSM courses, in the areas of scripture, church history, ethics, homiletics and pastoral ministry, have been approved as meeting the educational requirements of PMAs.  If they desire, PMA students can take up to three additional courses to fill elective requirements. At BKSM, courses last two months each. Students spend the first month completing assigned reading and pre-class assignments on their own. Then, students come together for a weekend of face-to-face instruction, worship and fellowship in Topeka, Kan.  During the next four weeks, students complete final papers and projects.

BKSM courses are primarily taught by Ph.D.-educated faculty who have a love for teaching and for the Church. BKSM invited two faculty members from Bethany College, Dr. Adam Pryor and Dr. Tyler Atkinson, to join its faculty for the 2015-16 school year, to demonstrate its commitment to unity as well as well as deepen its roster of top-notch instructors.
Yerion-Keck is grateful for the opportunity to study at BKSM.  ““My experiences as the pioneering Lutheran at Bishop Kemper School of Ministry have been excellent,” she stated.  “I have been made to feel welcomed in the arms of our Episcopalian friends. I encourage all who are interested in the PMA program to look into BKSM. The weekends are filled with fantastic education, wonderful community, and a place to make some lifetime friendships.”

The PMA program is not the only area for collaboration between the Central States Synod and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. This past September, the Bethany House of Studies, Bethany College and BKSM co-sponsored a workshop, Preaching the Gospel of Luke, which attracted nearly 40 clergy members, BKSM students and laity from both denominations.  All three organizations look forward to planning continuing-education workshops in collaboration with one another in the months and years ahead.

Candea is hopeful about the future of Lutherans and Episcopalians working closely with one another in this region of the country. She said that “in Corinthians, we are called to be ‘stewards of God’s mysteries’ and entrusted with the gospel, to proclaim and live the good news of God’s love for the world.  This gift is worth our highest regard and calls us to take seriously the need for theological education that reflects our partnership as ordained and lay leaders.  What could be more exciting, fulfilling and faithful than gathering together to talk about God and do so with our brothers and sisters throughout the Church?”

For more information, visit: www.css-elca.org/for-leaders/parish-ministry-associate-program/

Address for Tuition Payments/Donations:
The Very Rev. Don Compier, BKSM Dean
410 SE Independence Ave.

Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Physical Address:
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry

701 SW 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry is a collaborative venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Kansas, West Missouri, Nebraska and Western Kansas.
BKSM also partners with the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
BKSM offers classes and programs to educate people for church leadership in both lay and ordained vocations.