To Encourage Equal Outcomes in Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod

WHEREAS, Jesus’ words still ring true such that there remains an urgent need for sending workers into the harvest fields where, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2; Matt. 9:37 NIV); and

WHEREAS, Among the main objectives for the purpose of the Synod listed in the Constitution is the preparation of such workers: “Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3); and

WHEREAS, Another main objective for the purpose of the Synod in the Constitution is to “Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice, but also to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our common profession of faith” (Const. Art. III 7); and

WHEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee, working with the two Synod seminaries, Concordia Seminary and Concordia Theological Seminary, makes provision for both that uniformity and appreciation of variety in recommending new routes leading to ordination (Bylaw 3.10.4.1); and

WHEREAS, New routes to ordination may only be implemented after “approval by resolution of the Synod” (Bylaw 3.10.4.2); and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has implemented a variety of routes of pastoral formation leading to ordination, which include the residential pathways of Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and Residential Alternate Route (RAR), and the non-residential pathways of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP), Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC),the Center for Hispanic Studies(CHS), and the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT); and

WHEREAS, These routes do not offer equal outcomes as students are only able to earn a M.Div. degree through the residential routes, as compared to, for example, in the CMC route, only a Masters of Arts in Theology (MAT); some ordained pastors who have completed their route to ordination, such as specific ministry pastors, are also given a distinctly limited roster status; and

WHEREAS, Already in the 19th century the Synod instituted variety in its routes for training its pastors by offering a more practical seminary in Springfield, Ill., or a more theological seminary in St. Louis, Mo., without instituting a difference in roster status such that throughout the history of the practical seminary students graduating from the more practical seminary received the same roster status as those who graduated from the more theological seminary; and

WHEREAS, The roster distinction introduced for SMP graduates makes these pastors distinct from EIIT graduates, CHS graduates, and RAR graduates who also may be ordained without an academic degree and who have also received a lesser level of theological training than full M.Div. students; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions in the Treatise of the Power and Primacy of the Pope state that before God there is no substantive difference between ordained pastors (Tr 60–65); and

WHEREAS, The difference in roster status for specific ministry pastors creates confusion over their status as pastors among the pastorate and laity (such as the ability of specific ministry pastors to beon call lists, and the ability of specific ministry pastors to serve as ecclesiastical supervisors for commissioned ministers), even though the Lutheran Confessions are clear that an ordained pastor is a full pastor; and

WHEREAS, Congregations recognize and value their pastors based on the functions of the office they faithfully execute and spiritual care they provide, regardless of their pathway to ordination or official roster status; and

WHEREAS, All roster ed pastors of the Synod serve under ecclesiastical supervision and under the mutual admonition of their fellow pastors; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District esteem all who hold the Office of the Public Ministry in the Synod with honor, and encourage all those pursuing pastoral ministry regardless of their pathway to ordination, thanking God for their service to His people and their commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention to develop a process through which a specific ministry pastor, after ten years of faithful and effective ministry, demonstrating ministerial competence and spiritual fitness, and grounded in the daily work of pastoral ministry, may there by apply for general ordination status on the roster of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention to create pathways for non-residential seminary students to earn an M.Div. degree and to allow the General Pastor Certification classes at the seminaries to continue to give opportunity for specific ministry pastors to earn an M.Div. by continuing their education.