To Study Dual- and Multi-Congregation Parish Ministry Situations within the Synod

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has currently over 500 dual and multiple parish arrangements being served by sole pastors (which constitutes over 15 percent of our congregations); and

WHEREAS, Due to converging factors of economics, demographics, and un availability of pastors willing to serve in such ministry situations, many more congregations will be exploring and entering into some form of partnership arrangement to meet Word and Sacrament needs into the future; and

WHEREAS, The importance of maintaining a faithful Christian and Lutheran witness across the landscape of our nation depends upon reliable Word and Sacrament ministry in many diverse localities; and

WHEREAS, There are few available materials on this topic, and even fewer from an LCMS perspective; and

WHEREAS, A shortfall of available ministerial candidates may also increase the need for faithful ministry to be conducted under these circumstances; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention direct the Office of National Mission to conduct a study of pastors who have served or are currently serving in dual- or multi-congregation parish settings, as well as the from the partnering congregations themselves to help acquire information on how best to select, prepare, and support those in such settings; and be it further

Resolved, That resources be produced from such study and made widely available that identify “best practices” as well as “pitfalls” (from the perspective of pastors as well as congregations) in arranging and conducting such ministry for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of ministry conducted in these contexts.