Nov. 6, 2011, was a red-letter day not only for Vicar Dennis Harmon and Emmaus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, but also for the South Wisconsin District. On that day Harmon was ordained under the conditions of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and installed as Emmaus’ pastor. Emmaus has a church, school, daycare and food pantry.

This was the first such ordination/installation in the District since the SMP program was begun. The SMP program is congregationally driven by ministry needs and a mission-minded candidate who commits to building a portfolio of eight preliminary courses taught at the District office. Following that, he must pass a seminary entrance exam and is interviewed by the District. Upon acceptance at an LCMS seminary, he begins a four-year seminary level distance learning track while serving as a vicar at his congregation. After two years of seminary training, the candidate is then ordained in that congregation with the condition that he continues his seminary training for another two years of classes. Dennis Harmon is completing his third year of seminary studies. All SMP pastors promise to

SMP Vicars D. Kellerman, J. Karay, D. Hagan and G. Novelli, Jr. joined the group of participating Pastors (front to back rows r to l) C. Ikanih, D. Harmon, D. McMiller, H. Lange, Pres. J. Wille, D. Hipenbecker, R. Raabe, P. Hillenbrand, W. Little, C. Seben, H. Tomesch and D. Paape for this photo after the service.

enroll in life-long seminary level learning.

In the coming year, our District expects to have more such SMP ordinations. We rejoice with Pastor Harmon, Emmaus, and all of the souls that God blesses through this effective seminary process!