To Create Third Pathway for General Pastoral Colloquy for Members of Synod Congregations Who Have Graduated with Accredited Masters of Divinity Degree from Non-Synod Seminary

WHEREAS, God’s Word calls us to pray for additional workers in the harvest, “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘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. 9:36–37); and

WHEREAS, Pastors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) are retiring in larger numbers than ever before (an estimated 1/3of our congregations will be without apastorby2035) and the number of men entering our seminaries is less than what is needed to replace these faithful servants and expand further mission and ministry; and

WHEREAS, The congregations of the Pacific Southwest District give thanks to God and celebrate the various alternate routes to ordination and pastoral ministry available in the LCMS, such as Specific Ministry Pastors (SMP), there is a growing need for general ordination pastors who are able to receive divine calls from congregations without restriction, provide supervision for other roster ed church workers, supervise vicars, hold elected or appointed office on the district or national Synod level such as a Circuit Visitor, and vote as delegates at the Synod conventions of the church; and

WHEREAS, There are pathways by which pastors from church bodies outside the LCMS who meet specific criteria may secure admission to the ministerium of the LCMS as general ordination pastors through colloquy. This admission may be provided through a “colloquy” (discussion, interview) with the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry; and

WHEREAS, The Policy Manual for Admission to the Pastoral Ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod by Colloquy: Bylaws and Policies states (Pastoral Colloquy, www.lcms.org/about/leadership/president/pastoral-colloquy, accessed Feb. 20, 2023): To be eligible to apply for colloquy, applicants must fit into one of the categories listed below (the applicant will indicate under which category he is applying, but the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry is responsible for the final determination of the category in each individual situation):

1. Active Pastors from Other Christian Church Bodies: Men who, at the time of application are in good standing and in active service as pastors in another Christian Church body/denomination may apply for colloquy. Such applicants must be graduates of a program of study that leads to ordination, from an accredited institution, with no fewer than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of required academic credit. Such applicants must also have served at least three years in a recognized ministry of their church body. Applicants must supply suitable documentation of their active status and good standing in their current church body/denomination. Pastors of congregations that are not affiliated with a church body/denomination (are “non-denominational” or “independent”) also may apply, but they must supply suitable references and documentation of their authorization to perform pastoral ministry. In all cases the academic requirements will apply. Time of Application, Are Not in Active Service as Pastors: Such applicants must be graduates of a program of study that leads to ordination, from an accredited institution, with no fewer than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of required academic credit. Applicants with prior pastoral service must provide the date (month and year) and the reason (e.g., retirement, resignation,dismissal)their active service ended.References and suitable documentation will be required. Such an applicant also must have been a communicant member in good standing in a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for at least two years immediately prior to the time of application. and

WHEREAS, Men who have been long-time members in good standing in an LCMS congregation, but are graduates of programs of study leading to ordination from an accredited institution outside the LCMS (meeting all the necessary academic credit requirements), are not afforded the same opportunity to apply for colloquy as are pastors from church bodies outside the LCMS, but must enroll in the Residential Alternate Route Program (requiring a two year residential academic program at one of our two seminaries and a one year vicarage) before becoming a general ordination pastor in the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Requiring a residential program for individuals who have completed an accredited degree is cumbersome and burdensome to many; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District memorialize the pastoral colloquy that provides the opportunity for members of LCMS congregations who have graduated from programs of study leading to ordination from outside the seminaries of the LCMS (satisfying all the necessary academic credit requirements) to become general ordination pastors in the LCMS by way of the colloquy process, without enrolling in the Residential Alternate Route Program.