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” (Luke 10:2); and

WHEREAS, Jesus set an example of what a robust theological education looks like by teaching His disciples theology while they were, at the exact same time, engaged in real-world, real-time, hands-on ministry with Him; and

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul educated and raised up new pastors and leaders by inviting them to join him and assist him and work alongside him in real-world, real-time, hands-on ministry; 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, Synod pastors and congregations are identifying new potential pastoral leaders in and among immigrant, non-Anglo and Anglo communities; and

WHEREAS, The pool of men who are interested in and gifted for pastoral ministry and who are, at the sametime, ableto giveup jobs, sell homes, and relocate their spouse and children to either St. Louis, Mo., or Fort Wayne, Ind., continues to get smaller; and

WHEREAS, Our Synod seminaries have established a successful track record of providing distance (non-residential) theological education through the Specific Ministry Pastor, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Cross Cultural Ministry Center, and Center for Hispanic Studies programs; and

WHEREAS, These non-residential, learning-in-ministry seminary programs support our districts and their congregations in our joint efforts to cultivate leaders who are intentionally engaged in the mission of God; 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, Proceedings, 158) is that non-residential students receive, proportionally, a lower percentage of tuition aid from the seminary to cover the costs of their academic programs than do residential students; and

WHEREAS, The demographics of the Synod reveal areduced pool of men to recruit for the ministry, which is estimated to result in a 50 percent reduction in the number of active pastors by 2032;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for the new pastors and leaders that God has been, and still is, raising up among us from our immigrant, non-Anglo and Anglo communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the seminaries to maintain and strengthen their non-residential, learning-in-ministry, distance programs; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the seminaries to award financial aid more equitably to its non- residential, learning-in-ministry students.