Expansion of LCC Pastors with Alternate Training Program

CANADA – The Boards of Regents of both seminaries in collaboration with the President’s Ministry Council (PMC) are in the final planning stages of a multi-level extension of the existing Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program, as well as training and resources for lay leaders in congregations with an indefinite period of vacancy. On February 6, 2025, the PMC and PAT Committee met, confirming key changes to the newly revised PAT program.

PAT came into existence at Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s 2002 convention. The program was originally envisioned for remote, declined, and rural congregations—though, only one pastor fitting that criteria has graduated from the program. Instead, the majority of graduates are serving ethnic language communities in Canada. Meanwhile, the need for these remote, small congregations has grown more acute over the last two decades. In 2017, Resolution 17.2.02 authorized the Council of Presidents (now the President’s Ministry Council) to “further develop and expand who can enroll in the Pastors with Alternate Training program.”

Key changes to the PAT Program:

• Men are to go through the program in cohorts, rather than in stages individually.
• Instruction will be primarily offered online, by seminary professors and by capable pastors who have often taught these courses in our seminaries on the mission field. This will standardize the training, with an additional goal of increasing overall confidence in the program.
• LCC PAT Coordinator, Rev. Kevin Walrath (Emeritus), will schedule the courses and instructors, ensuring effective movement through the program for the cohort of students.
• Courses will be offered 3-5 times per year, with the possibility of supplemental courses being offered as demand requires, to ensure timely completion of the program.
• A standardized set of courses (including syllabi, suggested resources, and course length) will provide clear expectations for instructors, students, and PAT sites.
• The possibility of early ordination will be available in cases of great need.
• Pastoral mentors will function in similar fashion to a vicarage bishop or field work supervisor, rather than being primarily responsible for teaching the entire program to a PAT candidate.

The program will continue to be administered by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines) with oversight by the PAT Committee, which includes LCC’s Central Regional Pastor as Chair, the PAT Coordinator, and representatives from LCC’s two seminaries.

The recent meeting provided great clarity on the administrative processes and future applications of the PAT program, while removing stumbling blocks. The PMC continues work on defined tracks for various needs, such as remote rural settings; ethnic and language settings; and pastors working as part of a team in multi-point parishes.

We thank God for the new cohort of 8 students scheduled to start their training in March of 2025, as well as for the applications already underway for additional students in the coming years.

For more information about LCC’s PAT Program, contact your Regional Pastor, the PAT Committee, or concordia-seminary.ca/pat/

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