To Affirm Residential Pastoral Education at Our Seminaries

WHEREAS, The apostles left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; 18:28–30; Matt. 19:27) showing that the life of the ministry is one of sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Jesus set an example of the importance of in-person theological education by teaching his disciples,in-person,for nearly three uninterrupted years; and

WHEREAS, During the time of instruction, Jesus warned his apostles to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” (Matt. 16:6), along with many other admonitions to watch, pray, guard, and then to baptize and teach all nations “to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20); and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastors are especially to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9); and

WHEREAS, The history of education and the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that remote teaching is an inferior form of education and formation owing to the inability of the teacher to interact with the student, the student to interact with other students, and of the student to focus; and

WHEREAS, Other disciplines that deal with the care of people, such as physicians, require intense in-person instruction that cannot be replicated remotely; and

WHEREAS, The care of souls in our parishes requires that our pastors be highly trained by orthodox Lutheran teachers and made ready for ministry, as the Scriptures declare in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–16; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirms its commitment to residential seminary education at Synod seminaries, in line with previous convention resolutions (e.g., 2019 Resolution 6-02, “To Promote Residential Seminary Education asthe Preferred Option for the Preparation of Men for Pastoral Ministry”); and be it further

Resolved, That all qualified men, regardless of background and means, be encouraged to enter residential pastoral education at a Synod seminary, or a seminary that is in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That seminaries, districts, congregations, and laity do their utmost to ensure the proper support of men training for the pastoral office, recognizing the sacrifices which are necessary for the training of pastors and the spread of the Gospel.