To Encourage Transparency and Clarity in Pastoral Colloquy Process

WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession (AC) teaches “so that we may obtain [the faith that God counts for righteousness], the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted” (AC V 1), and also “that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call” (AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, Bylaws provide that the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (CCPM), in consultation with the President of the Synod, shall develop all necessary policies to govern eligibility and the process to be followed to determine qualifications and suitability for pastoral service in the Synod, and that decisions to certify applicants shall be at the sole discretion of the committee (Bylaw 3.10.2.2 [a–b]); and

WHEREAS, Bylaws further specify eligibility and routes, including that applicants recommended by a district president and eligible for colloquy under the CCPM’s published policies may make application to the committee, while “the LCMS laymen and commissioned ministers who complete a program of study leading to ordination or its equivalent at a non-LCMS seminary are not eligible for colloquy on that basis,” and that men not meeting those eligibility requirements shall be directed to the seminaries for consideration in other programs (Bylaws 2.5.2; 3.10.2.3–3.10.2.5; and

WHEREAS, Congregations shall call and be served only by those who have been admitted to ministry according to the Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaw sections 2.6–2.8, 2.10; Bylaw 3.10.2.3), candidates qualified for first call, or ministers from church bodies in fellowship when agreements are in place; and

WHEREAS, The Synod continues to monitor pastoral formation and routes to ordination through the Pastoral Formation Committee, which reviews, coordinates, and reports on non-colloquy routes and considers long term strategy for pastoral formation; and

WHEREAS, Transparency and clarity in published policies, criteria, interview standards, and benchmarks foster trust, strengthen mission partnership, and help congregations walk in good order; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the CCPM, in consultation with the President of the Synod and its seminaries, to publish and maintain on the Synod’s website a concise, plain language summary of pastoral colloquy eligibility categories, required documentation, interview standards, and theological benchmarks, with cross references to Bylaws 3.10.2.2–3.10.2.5 together with a simple process flow and typical timeline; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention request the Council of Presidents to provide an annual summary to the congregations and roster ed workers of the Synod regarding pastoral colloquy procedures, application volume, certification numbers, and any policy updates, by means of regular Synod communications and pre-convention publications; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage district presidents, congregations, and roster ed workers to support men pursuing colloquy by offering mentorship, theological guidance, and appropriate congregational endorsement in harmony with the Handbook provisions cited above; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the men He is raising up to preach Christ crucified and risen, and pray for renewed zeal to identify, encourage, and form such men for service in Christ’s Church.