Church Work Program
A variety of programs at Concordia prepare students for service within Lutheran Church–Canada and other church bodies. Concordia offers the following programs in partnership with Lutheran Church–Canada.
Director of Parish Services
A Director of Parish Services (DPS) is a life span educational leader prepared for team ministry in a congregational setting and serves with the pastor, other staff, and the members of a congregation. A Director of Parish Services offers skills in parish education, evangelism and outreach, hospital and home visitation, and youth/young adult ministry. Through the Director of Parish Services program, students complete a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Religious Studies (Applied Emphasis) and a minor in Parish Services. Throughout their academic experience students also have the opportunity and expectation to engage in practical hands-on field work in local congregations. To receive certification as a DPS from Lutheran Church-Canada, students complete a one-year internship after earning their degree. Those interested in the Director of Parish Services program are advised to seek academic counsel early in their program to discuss course sequencing.
DPS graduates who are members of Lutheran Church–Canada congregations receive their initial placements from the Council of Presidents of Lutheran Church–Canada. Students from other synodical and denominational bodies should contact their appropriate church office regarding the suitability of the program and placement opportunities.
For specific program requirements, refer to Four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs, Religious Studies (Applied Emphasis).
Director of Parish Services Colloquy Program
Individuals who currently hold an undergraduate degree, are members of a Lutheran Church–Canada congregation, and are presently serving in a church may apply for the Director of Parish Services Colloquy Program through their District President and the Admissions Office of Concordia University College of Alberta.
The intent of the Director of Parish Services Colloquy Program is to equip individuals for full-time service in Lutheran Church–Canada congregations. The program prepares students for service as part of team ministry in a congregation through coursework in understanding Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, coursework in Director of Parish Services content areas, and practical experiences.
The DPS Colloquy Program may require additional courses (from the Parish Services Minor) of the applicant, however, all applicants complete the following course requirements and an oral exam prior to becoming eligible for placement by the Council of Presidents of Lutheran Church–Canada:
- Two of the following three courses: Religious Studies 101 "Introduction to the Study of Religion", Religious Studies 102 "Introduction to Non-Christian Religions", Religious Studies 248 "The Christian Tradition"
- Religious Studies 252 "Old Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 253 "New Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 359 "Theology of Luther"
- Religious Studies 375 "Christian Doctrine"
- Religious Studies 376 "The Lutheran Confessions"
- Parish Services 301 "Teaching the Christian Faith"
- Parish Services 303 "History and Practice of Christian Education"
- Parish Services 501* "DPS Internship"
- Additional course work equivalent to a 24-credit Parish Services minor is also required unless waived because of documented life-experiences of individual applicants.
*the Director of Parish Services internship is required if applicant has served fewer than three years in full-time team ministry in one congregation.
Lutheran Church-Canada Teacher Education Students
Concordia students who wish to become teachers in Lutheran Church-Canada elementary or high schools should incorporate the following courses, as required by the Church, into their undergraduate programs:
- Religious Studies 101 "Introduction to the Study of Religion"
- Religious Studies 102 "Introduction to Non-Christian Religions"
- Religious Studies 252 "Old Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 253 "New Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 359 "Theology of Luther"
- Religious Studies 375 "Christian Doctrine"
- Religious Studies 376 "The Lutheran Confessions"
- Parish Services 301 "Teaching the Christian Faith"
- Parish Services 303 "History and Practice of Christian Education"
Following completion of these courses and a Bachelor of Education degree, graduates who are members of Lutheran Church–Canada congregations receive their initial placements from the Council of Presidents of Lutheran Church–Canada. Students from other synodical and denominational bodies should contact their appropriate church office or intended school of service regarding the suitability of the program and placement opportunities. Those interested in the Lutheran Teacher Certification are advised to seek academic counsel early in their program to discuss course sequencing.
For specific program requirements, refer to the Bachelor of Education (After-Degree) in Elementary Education program page.
Lutheran Teacher Colloquy Program
The Lutheran Teacher Colloquy program prepares provincially certified teachers who are presently serving in a Lutheran Church–Canada elementary or secondary school to meet the requirements of the Church. The intent of the program is to equip teachers to nurture and educate children within the context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Lutheran Confessions.
The courses required for the Teacher Colloquy Program are:
- Two of the following three courses: Religious Studies 101 "Introduction to the Study of Religion", Religious Studies 102 "Introduction to Non-Christian Religions", Religious Studies 248 "The Christian Tradition"
- Religious Studies 252 "Old Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 253 "New Testament Literature"
- Religious Studies 359 "Theology of Luther"
- Religious Studies 375 "Christian Doctrine"
- Religious Studies 376 "The Lutheran Confessions"
- Parish Services 301 "Teaching the Christian Faith"
- Parish Services 303 "History and Practice of Christian Education"
The application process for admission into the program begins with the Lutheran Church-Canada District President and with the Admissions Office of Concordia University College of Alberta. Contact the Director of Church Work Programs for assistance in the process.
Pre-Seminary
Through Concordia's pre-seminary program students earn their Bachelor of Arts degree for entrance into a seminary and for eventual ministry within Lutheran Church–Canada or other synodical and denominational church bodies. While most pastoral candidates from a seminary become parish pastors, some continue their studies to specialize in other ministries, including institutional, military, and campus chaplaincy, teaching, foreign missions, ethnic ministry, and ministry to the deaf.
Concordia students complete a three- or four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline. A broad liberal arts program is a great asset prior to entering seminary. Therefore, students should include courses in English, public speaking, humanities, philosophy, history, psychology, religious studies, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students should complete introductory Greek and Hebrew courses prior to admission to a seminary. Concordia has a Pre-Seminary minor that many students choose to help move efficiently through their language requirements and other recommended courses. Pre-Seminary students are advised to seek academic counsel early in their program to discuss course sequencing.
For further information about pastoral ministry, students should contact the Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, the Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, or another seminary of their choice. Students should also ask seminaries for information regarding undergraduate course selection.
Parish Nurse Program
A Parish Nurse is a professional registered nurse in a staff position within a Christian congregation or health care organization. As a member of the faith community and the health care system, the Parish Nurse links faith and health to combine professional nursing practice within the Christian ministry. Parish Nurses focus primarily on preventative health and spiritual care. The Parish Nurse is a catalyst in promoting health, healing and wholeness of individuals, families, congregations and the wider community. In collaboration with pastors, other professionals, and lay workers from within the local congregation and the wider community, Parish Nurses may be involved in various health-related activities geared to all age levels.
The Parish Nurse Program is open only to licensed Registered Nurses. The program consists of three courses leading to certification:
- Parish Nursing 302 "Parish Administration and Team Ministry"
- Religious Studies 375 "Christian Doctrine"
- Parish Nursing 485 "Parish Nursing"
Please visit Concordia's Parish Nursing site 
or consult the Director of Church Work Programs for further information on this program at 780-479-9348 or paul.schoepp@concordia.ab.ca. You may also contact Shelby Allan-Elliott at 780-479-9227 for assistance and information regarding the admission process.
Youth Ministry Certificate
The Youth Ministry Certificate is a program designed both for current Concordia students wishing to add some additional knowledge of youth ministry to their current undergraduate program and for individuals who may not be desirous of a degree but still want a focused selection of courses to help them in their desire to serve the church and its youth.
The Youth Ministry Certificate requires a minimum of 30 credits (10 courses) as follows:
Required credits/courses: 24 credits (8 courses)
- PS 301 "Teaching the Christian Faith"
- PS 304 "Youth and Young Adult Ministry"
- REL 101 "Western Religious Traditions" OR REL 150 "Introduction to the Christian Faith"
- REL 252 "Old Testament"
- REL 253 "New Testament"
- REL 375 "Christian Doctrine" OR REL 376 "The Lutheran Confessions"
- SOC 100 "Sociological Concepts and Perspectives"
- SOC 377 "Sociology of Youth"
Elective credits/courses: 6 to 21 credits (2 to 7 courses)
- EDPS 200 "Educational Psychology for Teaching"
- DRA 352 "Fundamentals of Public Speaking"
- PS 288 "Family Life Ministry"
- PS 302 "Parish Administration and Team Ministry"
- PS 444 "Counseling theory in a Christian Context" (contingent upon 3.0 CGPA in first five courses in program of study)
- PS 490 "Independent Studies" (contingent upon 3.0 CGPA in first five courses in program of study)
- REL 311 "Religion and Pop Culture"
Other Church Work Careers
Students planning to pursue other church work careers such as Deaconess, Director of Christian Education, and Director of Christian Outreach should enroll in the Faculty of Arts, choosing a concentration in Religious Studies. Normally students who choose these career paths complete their first two years on the Concordia University College of Alberta campus and then transfer to a post-secondary institution of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in the United States. Students are advised to contact the LCMS college or university of their choice for details regarding program requirements.
For further information about Concordia's programs for church professions, contact Paul Schoepp, the Director of Church Work Programs at 780-479-9348 or paul.schoepp@concordia.ab.ca.
Distance Friendly Delivery for Colloquy Coursework
Online Coursework from CUEnet
Concordia University Education Network (CUEnet) provides an online option for students who wish to take some of their colloquy courses while continuing to serve in their local community and congregation. Lutheran Church-Canada has an agreement with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and CUEnet which enables Canadian students to take courses at a discounted rate of 25% off of the normal cost of the course. This discounted prices is payable in US dollars. In 2010 this means that the $656 USD cost is $492 USD for Canadian colloquy students. Additionally there is a cost for the electronic "Concordia Theological Library" (a CD-ROM of 29 classic Lutheran and Christian Theological works). The cost of this resource is generally spread out over a number of courses and the student owns their copy of the electronic library at the completion of their CUEnet experience.
The following six CUEnet courses are available for LC-C colloquy and are displayed next to their Concordia University College of Alberta course equivalents.
| CUEnet Course | CUCA Course Equivalent |
| Varieties of Belief | REL 102 Introduction to Non-Christian Religions |
| History of Theology and the Church | REL 248 The Christian Tradition |
| Old Testament | REL 252 Old Testament Literature |
| New Testament | REL 253 New Testament Literature |
| Christian Doctrine | REL 375 Christian Doctrine |
| Confessions | REL 376 The Lutheran Confessions |
CUEnet courses are 25 days long and offered in consecutive months with an overlapping rotation of courses allowing for ease of scheduling. To find out more about the CUEnet options check out their website at www.cuenet.edu.
Students who take all six of the CUEnet courses will be deemed to have completed six of their seven theology requirements for colloquy (REL 359 Theology of Luther will still need to be taken). Students wishing to make use of the CUEnet option should make sure to be in touch with the Director of Church Work Programs at Concordia University College of Alberta and be enrolled in the colloquy program prior to beginning their CUEnet coursework.
Hybrid delivery of coursework from CUCA
Concordia University College of Alberta offers most of its parish services coursework through the use of a web-based course management platform. Courses will be offered at the same time to students who are on campus and to students who are distant from campus. All students will post reflections and reactions to their readings to the course management platform. The on-campus students will meet face-to-face every week to discuss the assignments while the distance students make use of an online discussion board to facilitate their interaction. Both groups of students will also complete other assignments such as research papers and projects. Information about when courses will be available for hybrid delivery can be obtained from the Director of Church Work Programs.
Helpful documents to plan for a Director of Parish Services Intern or Candidate
The following documents can help you and your congregation prepare for a DPS Intern or Candidate. Download the PDF documents by clicking on the title below and print them.
DPS Internship FAQs 
Typical DPS Intern Costs
Timeline for Requesting a DPS Intern or Candidate