Who is SLM for? All people with a desire to learn are welcome. Those already serving within the congregation will have the effectiveness of their ministry enriched and enhanced. Also, it will be the preparation for those identified by their congregation to become a Synodically Licensed Ministry candidate. Anyone who wishes to grow in their knowledge and faith is encouraged to attend classes offered. A pastor or congregation council normally makes the invitation to a person who shows the potential to serve in the Synodically Licensed Ministry program.

What types of service will SLM equip me for? Within the Pacifica Synod, there are many needs that can be filled by trained lay leaders. They are;
     · Lay Minister of the Word and Sacrament
     · Worship Leader
     · Catechist
     · Evangelist/Missionary
     · Administrator
     · Spiritual Care

What Courses would I take? There are core course for everyone to take. Then there will be 4 more courses of electives taken in a specialized area to make a total of 100 hours of instruction. The core courses are as follows;
     · Old Testament
     · New Testament
     · Lutheran Confessions
     · Church Leadership
     · Worship
     · The Lutheran in Cultural Context

Electives available are:
     · Preaching
     · Worship and music
     · Spiritual discernment and Faith Development
     · Reformation History and the American Experience
     · The Gospels · Youth Ministries
     · Missions, Local and Abroad
     · Christian Ethics
     · Church and School Administration
     · Education in the Church

How long does it take and how much does it cost? The program is designed to take two years to complete with a minimum of classes having to overlap. In many ways this could be a cost that is appropriate for a congregation to supply. Some scholarship resources are available. There is an initial registration fee of $50. Classes are typically taken 3 per year at $100 for each class. This does not include books, materials, transportation, or lodging.

Where do I go for classes and who teaches them? Seminary or college professors, pastors, and other presenters with particular skills teach the classes. They are offered at various sites around the Pacifica Synod on a rotating basis. Some classes are offered on-line. There are other opportunities for credit available by attending seminars and retreats.

What will I be after I finish? With the fulfillment of the course of study, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from PALLMM in their specific area of focus. On the request of a congregation, the Bishop of the Pacifica Synod may license the candidate by a letter of authorization to provide those certain gifts that the training has prepared for ministry. They are usually valid for one-year periods at which time they can be renewed. What they are not is a 'Pastor''. They are recognized lay individuals sharing their gifts for ministry within a congregation.