To Encourage and Support Existing Learning-In-Ministry, Non-Residential, Distance Programs Leading to Ordination

WHEREAS, Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37–38); and

WHEREAS, God is bringing thousands of new immigrants to our communities and there by providing our congregations with new and vast harvest fields; and

WHEREAS, Our Minnesota South District pastors and congregations are identifying new potential pastoral leaders in and among these immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS, Our Synod seminaries have established a distance theological education through the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP), Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT), Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) and Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) programs; and

WHEREAS, An unintended consequence of Synod promoting residential seminary education as the preferred option for the preparation of men for pastoral ministry (2019 Resolution 6-02) is that non-residential, immigrant students do not receive the same tuition assistance from the seminary to cover the costs of their academic programs as compared with residential students;therefore be it

Resolved, That the district in convention encourage the seminaries to award the same tuition assistance as residential students to their non residential students; and be it further

Resolved, That the district hereby memorializes Synod to adopt this, or similar resolutions, at its next convention.