To Support the Synod’s Specific Ministry Pastor Program

WHEREAS, There is a severe shortage of pastors and church workers anticipated in the near future; and

WHEREAS, The Synod, gathered in convention in 2007, created another path to ordination with the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program thus enabling more men to become ordained as SMPs; and

WHEREAS, There are not enough eligible students preparing for church work in the current seminary program to meet the current, much less future needs of the church; and

WHEREAS, Many congregations are currently without pastors or other needed church workers; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern District in its 2022 convention voted to forward this overture to the 2023 Synod convention for consideration; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod expand its current support of the SMP program by increasing funding and expanding enrollment.