To Expand Roles and Leadership of All Existing Ordained Ministers of Word and Sacraments

WHEREAS, Article V of the Augsburg Confession acknowledges the Scriptural mandate and call for the institution of the office of the public ministry for the administration of the Word and Sacraments; and

WHEREAS, All those ordained by the Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod into this ministry are equipped and trained by institutions approved and overseen by the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The need to fill vacant ministry roles has led the Synod to have forethought in planning and developing programs to support a well-equipped vocational presence where needed; and

WHEREAS, Ministerial needs are rapidly growing in scope in the areas of parish ministry as well as institutional leadership, necessitating greater ecclesiastical partnership and participation; and

WHEREAS, Synod-approved programs such as Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program and other alternate route vocations are established and supervised to fulfill Wordand Sacrament vocational needs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, in partnership with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and vocational training institutions, develop policies, including continuing education opportunities, supportive of greater roles and increased participation of all Word and Sacrament ministers, including, but not limited to service in the local congregation, leadership roles in the circuit, district, and the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That this would include making the most use of the God-given gifts, talents, and abilities of our SMP program pastors;

and be it finally

Resolved, That this would include an examination of the effectiveness of candidate status and a recommendation toward a policy change that employs the gifts of qualified and capable pastors otherwise unable to serve.