To Affirm Residential Pastoral Education at Our Seminaries

WHEREAS, He who seeks the office of overseer desires a noble task (1 Tim. 3:1); and

WHEREAS, The apostles left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; 18:28–30; Matt. 19:27), showing that the life of the ministry is one of sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Jesus set an example of the importance of in-person theological education by teaching His apostles, in-person, for nearly three uninterrupted years (Acts 1:21–22); and

WHEREAS, During the time of instruction, Jesus warned His apostles to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” (Matt. 16:6), along with many other admonitions to watch, pray, guard, and then to baptize and teach all nations “to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20); and

WHEREAS, Those who seek the Office of the Holy Ministry are accountable to God (James 3:1); and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastors are especially to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9); and

WHEREAS, The history of education and research following the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that residential education is superior to online education (brookings.edu/articles/how-does- virtual-learning-impact-students-in-higher-education); and

WHEREAS, Other disciplines that deal with the care of people such as physicians and surgeons, require intense in-person instruction; and

WHEREAS, The challenges the Church faces today make intense theological formation in God’s Word more necessary, not less; and

WHEREAS, The care of souls in our parishes requires that our pastors be highly trained by orthodox Lutheran teachers and made ready for ministry, as the Scriptures declare in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–16; and

WHEREAS, Christ’s sheep deserve the best and most well-trained under shepherds of the Good Shepherd possible; and

WHEREAS, The daily rhythm of worship in the seminary chapels, which is an integral aspect of residential seminary education and inculcates humility toward God’s Word, is central for the personal and spiritual formation of pastors (Ap V 189); and

WHEREAS, Jesus has made in-person formation holy through His incarnation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its commitment to residential seminary education at the Synod seminaries, in line with previous convention resolutions (e.g., 2019 Res. 6-02, “To Promote Residential Seminary Education as the Preferred Option for the Preparation of Men for the Pastoral Ministry,” 2023 Res. 6- 02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation through Our Synod’s Seminaries,” and 2023 Res. 6-03A, “To Affirm and Strengthen the Synod’s Commitment to Well-Formed Clergy for the Sake of the Gospel”); and be it further

Resolved, That all men aspiring to the Office of the Holy Ministry, regardless of background and means, be required to speak with an admissions officer at a Synod seminary, so they may be thoroughly acquainted with the benefits of the ministry and the church by a full residential formation; and be it further

Resolved, That all men aspiring to the Office of the Holy Ministry as candidates of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program or Alternate Route (meaning specifically the residential Alternate Route offered at both Concordia Theological Seminary and Concordia Seminary that which closely parallels the M.Div. program, but not the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology [EIIT], the Specific Ministry Pastor [SMP], the General Pastoral Certification [GPC], or the Center for Hispanic Studies [CHS] programs; cf. csl.edu/academics/programs/residential-alternate- route%20rar/ and ctsfw.edu/academics/programs/pgm/alternate- route/) program be required to pursue residential education at a Synod seminary or residential education at a seminary in altar- pulpit fellowship with the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the seminaries, districts, congregations, and laity do their utmost to ensure the proper support of men training for the pastoral office, recognizing the sacrifices necessary for the training of ministers of the Gospel and the spread of the Gospel.