To Affirm Exclusive Seminary Path and In-Person Formation for Pastoral Ministry

WHEREAS, The Lord calls His church to faithfulness in doctrine and practice (John 8:31; Acts 2:42); and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastoral ministry involves close mentoring and modeling of life and doctrine (2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:12–16); and

WHEREAS, The Synod Constitution and Bylaws reserve for seminaries approved and sanctioned by convention, currently Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) and Concordia Seminary (CSL), collectively, “seminaries,” the responsibility to educate, form, and train pastors for the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The unity of faith and confession is best preserved through agreed-upon structures and processes, including residential Master of Divinity programs at Synod seminaries; and

WHEREAS, In-person, face-to-face formation fosters accountability, spiritual growth, and communal life essential to pastoral preparation (Heb. 10:24–25); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that the Synod- sanctioned residential seminaries—currently, CTSFW and CSL— are the exclusive path for pastoral education, formation, and training in the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations and roster ed workers actively recruit, encourage, and support men to pursue pastoral ministry through these seminaries; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that in-person, face-to-face education and formation is essential to the process of preparing men for the pastoral office; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod commend the residential model of pastoral formation as the standard for theological education in the Synod.