To Provide and Support Pastors Serving Small Congregations

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has hundreds, if not thousands, of congregations in small towns and rural areas; and

WHEREAS, Many of these congregations have less than 50 communicant members; and

WHEREAS, Small congregations have issued numerous calls to pastors which have been declined; and

WHEREAS, Calls are often declined because the salaries offered are insufficient to support a pastor and his family and the cost of benefits including Concordia Plan Services far exceeds the ability of congregations to pay; and

WHEREAS, In many geographical areas small LCMS congregations are often far from any other confessional Lutheran congregation; and

WHEREAS, The souls ministered to in these areas are precious in the eyes of God and Jesus died for them too; and

WHEREAS, Such small and often isolated congregations are centers not only for Word and Sacrament ministry but social and emotional support as well; and

WHEREAS, Such congregations are closing at an alarming rate since pastors are not available to live nearby or serve them with any regularity; and

WHEREAS, In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to seek the one that is lost, indicating the priceless value of even one soul to Jesus (Matt. 18:10–14); and

WHEREAS, St. Paulurged the congregations in Corinth and Rome to support the in gathering of funds to help the congregation in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25–28; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8–9); and

WHEREAS, Even the congregations of Macedonia gave generously despite their great poverty (2 Cor. 8:1–5); and

WHEREAS, The poorest among usis rich compared to most of the rest of the world; and

WHEREAS, Aone-time offering would be insufficient to abate the great need for pastors in small congregations that are in danger of closing; and

WHEREAS, Other Christian church groups such as Baptists have mission boards and agencies that recruit pastors and assist them in gaining financial support so they can serve small rural churches and live in the communities where they minister; and

WHEREAS,Thereseemstobeaneedforasimilarboardoragency in the LCMS and there are pastors willing to serve small congregations if their financial needs were met; and

WHEREAS, The alarming trend of closures of small congregations will continue unless steps are taken to reverse it; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention instruct the director of the Office of National Mission and the director of Rural and Small Town Mission to appoint and supervise a committee to study this issue and determine alternative ways of supplying and supporting pastors willing to serve small congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That, should it be determined that the best way to supply and support pastors willing to serve small congregations is through arecognized service organization (RSO), one be organized, activated, and approved as soon as possible, at least before the next Synod convention; and be it further

Resolved, That a new RSO intended to recruit, supply, and assist in supporting pastors for small congregations be enthusiastically endorsed and promoted to the membership of the LCMS; and be it finally

Resolved, That the above appointed committee report back to the next Synod convention detailing its work and progress.