To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1 to Provide Pathway for Specific Ministry Pastors to Receive Full Pastoral Certification

WHEREAS, Scripture establishes qualifications for the pastoral office, including requiring that an overseer be above reproach, able to teach, and manage his own household well (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9); and

WHEREAS, Article V of the Augsburg Confession affirms that God instituted the Office of the Ministry to provide the Gospel and the Sacraments; and

WHEREAS, These qualifications focus on character, faithfulness, and demonstrated capability rather than exclusively on specific educational credentials; and

WHEREAS, Specific ministry pastors serve faithfully in specialized Word and Sacrament ministry contexts under the supervision of district presidents and other pastors (Bylaw 2.13.1); and

WHEREAS, Current bylaws restrict specific ministry pastors from serving in roles beyond their specific ministry context without completing the Specific Ministry Pastor to General Pastor Certification (GPC) program; and

WHEREAS, The GPC program requires the specific ministry pastor to complete a minimum of an additional 28.5 credits of class work, which presents significant time and financial challenges for those already serving in full-time pastoral ministry, requiring years of additional study while balancing congregational responsibilities and family obligations; and

WHEREAS, The Synod provides multiple pathways to general pastoral certification, including the Alternate Route (AR), Residential Alternative Route (RAR), Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) Seminary Level Program, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program, which all, unlike the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program, lead to full pastoral certification without restrictions upon completion (Bylaws 2.7.2–3; 2.8.1); and

WHEREAS, While candidates in the residential Master of Divinity program are required to complete only a single academic year of supervised internship (vicarage) as part of their preparation for ordination (Bylaw 2.8.1 [d]), specific ministry pastors complete a minimum of four years of supervised pastoral formation during their program and then continue to gain extensive pastoral experience through years of actual congregational ministry under supervision; and

WHEREAS, Many specific ministry pastors demonstrate through years of faithful service the theological competence, pastoral gifts, and ministerial fitness necessary for broader pastoral ministry; and

WHEREAS, A probationary period of substantial length would allow for proper evaluation of a specific ministry pastor’s readiness for full pastoral certification while maintaining appropriate standards for the pastoral office; therefore be it

Resolved, That a pathway for specific ministry pastors to receive full pastoral certification after a probationary period be established;

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 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. … (d) After ten years of faithful service asa specific ministry pastor in good standing, upon approval of the congregation he serves and his district president, a specific ministry pastor may be certified for general pastoral ministry without completing additional coursework, provided he has demonstrated theological competence, pastoral fitness, and ministerial capability throughout his service.Upon such certification,he shall no longer be considered a specific ministry pastor and shall be eligible for all pastoral roles and responsibilities.

and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be directed to update any other bylaws as necessary to support and implement this pathway for specific ministry pastors to receive full pastoral certification.