Minor in Director of Church Ministries for Related Majors

Because the Church needs faithful Aarons, too

The beauty of “the Body of Christ” is that each of its members has a unique and vital role to play. The same goes for church-workers. While the Church needs well-trained ministers for the pastoral office, it also needs “Faithful Aarons” who can support the work of their pastors. Perhaps the Lord is calling you to “hold up the prophet’s hands.” Concordia’s Director of Church Ministries (DCM) program will provide you with the theological training and skills to make an impact wherever you are asked to serve.

Program Overview

In order to meet the diverse needs of congregations, you will gain a wide range of skills through completion the church ministries minor. Students who have fulfilled a major in a field compatible with church ministries, such as parish music, parish nursing, and social work, and who wish to be certified through the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, may be certified after completing the church ministries minor for related majors. The church ministries minor includes 24 credits.

While all courses and doctrine are taught in accord with the Lutheran confessions, men and women of any denomination are welcome to join this program. Only members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will receive certification and may be eligible to be rostered with the LCMS as a “Minister of Religion Commissioned—Director of Church Ministries (DCM).”

What to Expect

As a Director of Church Ministries (DCM) graduate, you will be prepared to be a professional church worker, assisting the pastor in developing and leading congregation ministries. This may include supporting Bible studies, community outreach, mercy work, and administrative duties. And because no two graduates will have the exact same roles, you’ll benefit from management and leadership courses that will help you adapt to any situation.

Licensure / Certifications

Students who have completed full program requirements and are a current member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod will receive certification. Students may be eligible to receive a called position in a congregation or recognized service organization of the church and may be eligible to be placed on the roster of the synod as a "Commissioned Minister of Religion - Director of Church Ministries (DCM)."

How to Apply

Undergraduate Application Steps

It’s time to help you become a Falcon! Just follow these simple steps to complete your application.

For first-time freshman:

Submit your
Submit the
Have your school send your official high school transcripts. Transcripts may be mailed or sent via a transcript processing service to:

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Admissions Office
12800 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Mequon, WI 53097
Send your official ACT or SAT scores.

Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official. If your school does not put scores on transcripts, please contact ACT at or College Board at .

For transfer students:

Submit your
Submit the
Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

*Transfer students with less than 60 college credits completed will also submit official high school transcripts. Students who have less than 30 college credits also need to submit official ACT or SAT scores. Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official.

Minimum Requirements

A minimum GPA of a 2.5/4.0 (C average) or higher
ACT composite of 18 or above
SAT equivalent of 940 or higher for combined math and evidence-based reading and writing (for tests taken after March 2016).

*If your GPA or ACT score falls below the minimum for acceptance, your admissions counselor may ask you to retake the test or supply additional documents, such as an essay or letters of recommendation, to complete the application.

Required Academic Coursework in High School

A minimum of 16 units of high school (secondary school) work is required, of which at least 11 should be in basic liberal arts areas. Units should be distributed as follows:

English: At least three units, but four are strongly recommended.
Mathematics: Two units of college-prep math, preferably one each in Algebra and Geometry.
Natural Science: Two units, preferably one each in Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
Social Studies: Two units, preferably one each in world history and American history.
Liberal Arts: Two units of the same foreign language or additional units in one or more of the other listed subjects or in fine arts.
Other Electives: Five units from any area of academic study, but ideally from the areas listed above.
German or Latin is recommended for pre-seminary students.