To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1 to Regularize Non-residential Routes under Specific Ministry Pastor Classification

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions state “… that nobody should preach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments unless he is regularly called” (AC XIV, Tappert, Latin) and that ordination is an essential component of a regular, ordered call (Tr 67; 69–71); and

WHEREAS, Membership status and limitations noted in Bylaw 2.13 apply requirements and limitations on specific ministry pastors that include:

• eligibility to serve only in a specific ministry context;

• remaining under supervision by a general pastor;

• ineligibility for call outside of the context of his call;

• ineligibility to serve as a voting delegate to the national convention;

• ineligibility to be elected or appointed to any office at the district and Synod level assigned to a pastor or ordained minister;

• ineligibility to supervise vicars; and

• ineligibility to serve as circuit visitor; and

WHEREAS, Other classifications of pastors (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology [EIIT], Hispanic, Cross-cultural Ministry Center [CMC], and others) who are not graduates from a residential program track (Master of Divinity and Alternate Route) have been granted ordination without notation of how these non-residential tracks are to be managed in the context of Bylaw 2.13.1 (a–c); and

WHEREAS, Confusion on how to deal with ordained pastors who are not specific ministry pastors or graduates from residential ministry tracks continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, Non-residential tracks toward ordination are not currently treated in a similar manner as the Specific Ministry Pastor program (SMP) and SMP colloquy (2016 Res. 13-02A); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt language for all ministers of religion—ordained trained via non-residential routes;

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 2.13.1 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Specific Ministry Pastor Status and Limitations 2.13.1 A “specific ministry pastor” is a minister of religion— ordained who has completed the requirements for service as a specific ministry pastor or of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Hispanic ministry, Cross-Cultural Ministry Center, or any other non-residential ministry track and has been examined by one of the Synod’s seminaries, has received a regular call, and has been placed by the Council of Presidents into a specific Word and Sacrament ministry context. He is eligible to serve only in that specific ministry context for which he has been trained and may not be offered or accept a call for ministry for which he has not been certified as determined by his district president. He shall serve under the supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor. …