To Encourage Innovative Training of Pastors

WHEREAS, “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4); and

WHEREAS, Our gracious Lord established the Office of the Holy Ministry and calls men to serve as pastors over His dear flock; and

WHEREAS, Moved by compassion, Jesus declared, “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. 9:37–38); and

WHEREAS, This office of preaching should be treated in the church with diligence and good order, so that “no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, unless he be regularly called” (AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has entrusted its two seminaries with the task of preparing well-formed pastors for the flock of God; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its history the Synod has been innovative in meeting the need to prepare as many pastors as possible. This includes:

• historically receiving candidates who were trained by Pastors Friedrich Brunn of Steeden, Theodor Harms of Hermannsburg, and Wilhelm Löhe of Neue nde ttel sau, Germany;

• by beginning a seminary in the parsonage of Pastor Wilhelm Sihler in Fort Wayne, Ind.;

• by beginning alogcabin seminary in Perry County,Mo. with pastors as the teachers; and

• by currently maintaining these two seminaries to train today’s candidates for the ministry through both the resident Master of Divinity program and the distance programs, which include the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, the Center for Hispanic Studies, and the Specific Ministry Pastor program; and

WHEREAS, Our Synod has been blessed through all of these programs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod thank God for the history of innovative pastoral formation in our Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That we give our full support to both the residential and distance learning programs in our Synod and encourage full use of all the programs by both congregations and individuals; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod leadership be discouraged from putting up increased barriers to congregations and candidates who would avail themselves of these programs; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod continue to be innovative in training many faithful pastors to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ as our Savior.