A. Display the gifts with which the Holy Spirit has endowed him, by reverence for God, faithful use of Word and Sacraments, and the diligent pursuit of opportunities for study and growth, for development of personal qualities and skills, and for increase in the grace to edify his fellow Christians, to serve people in their need, and to witness to all nations, races, and peoples as a person of good reputation; 

B. Accept without reservation the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice and all the symbolical books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God* (Constitution of the LCMS, Article II, Sections 1 & 2);

*The 1995 Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod states with regard to ordination and installation: "The rites of ordination and commissioning and the rites of installation should be in accordance with forms and practices developed by the Synod for that purpose, and in all events the minister shall be solemnly pledged to the Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the Symbolical Books of the Lutheran Church as a true exposition of the Scriptures" (Bylaw 2.13 d).

C. Manifest an appreciation and comprehensive understanding of the theology of the Bible and the skill to interpret the Holy Scriptures on the basis of their original languages and in accordance with sound hermeneutical principles;

D. Manifest an understanding and appreciation of the church's formulation of scriptural doctrine in the light of its varying needs and the skill to present such doctrine clearly;

E. Manifest an understanding and appreciation of God's guidance in the life of the church and the skill to investigate the church's past and to interpret it to the present generation;

F. Manifest an understanding of the pastoral office as the ministry of proclaiming God's Word to human need within a discipline of preaching, worship, teaching, and pastoral care and counseling for the edification of God's people, enabling them to carry on the mission of the church in the world of diverse cultures and traditions;

G. Indicate a complete dedication to the holy ministry and the readiness to accept a call extended to him by the Board of Assignments (Handbook, Bylaw 2.09 c).

II. To provide instruction and experiences preparing for special competence demanded by particular aspects of the ministry, such as service in specialized fields and in diverse cultural contexts.

III. To offer to qualified clergymen, teachers, and lay people training in theology as a part of a program of continuing education.

IV. To give opportunity for advanced theological study and to foster research.

V. To provide theological guidance and leadership to the professional servants of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its congregations through faculty publications, service on synodical boards and committees, programmatic participation in church conferences and conventions, and such other opportunities for service as befit the close relationship between church and Seminary.

To this end it is the purpose of Concordia Seminary to provide an environment where the church can seek out and nurture the gifts of the Spirit which are requisite in servants of the Word who will edify the body of Christ.