To Require Completion of Academic Requirements prior to Specific Ministry Pastor Ordination

WHEREAS, Synod, at its 2001 convention passed Resolution 3- 08B, “To Address Needs and Opportunities for Pastoral Ministry in Specialized Situations” (2001 Proceedings, 138–39); and

WHEREAS, 2001 Res. 3-08B provided for Licensed Lay Deacons to continue to be trained under supervision as approved by 1989 Resolution 3-05B (ibid., 139); and

WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A, “To Regularize Statusof Licensed Lay Deacons Involved in Word and Sacrament Ministry” (2016 Proceedings, 236–38) regularized ministries toward ordination consistent with the Book of Concord (AC XIV, Ap XIV); and

WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A provided several options toward ordination of existing Licensed Lay Deacons, including regional Specialized Ministry Pastor (SMP) colloquy, SMP program, and alternate route program; and

WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5-01B “To Establish Specific Ministry Pastor Program” (2007 Proceedings, 133–38) provided for SMP candidates to receive “pre ordination curriculum, and post- ordination curriculum” (ibid., 134) and to be ordained: “Ordination vows may be taken prior to the conclusion of a complete course of study provided that the ordained has received a preparation sufficient to preach and teach the Gospel rightly, administer the Sacraments correctly, and take his vows with integrity.” (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5-01B reads in part: … Step 2: Pre ordination Curriculum Upon entrance into the Specific Ministry Pastor Program, the student will be assigned as a vicar in a specific locality but normally will not be authorized to administer the Sacraments. He will preach sermons prepared in collaboration with and approved by his supervisor. At this point, he will participate in courses and seminars comparable to those offered to residential seminary students designed to prepare him in the following areas:

• Catechism, hermeneutical principles, God and Christ, work of Christ, the Sacraments, worship, the Book of Concord, and preaching

• Possible residential seminars: intro to pastoral formation; issues in pastoral ministry

• Possible field seminars: basic mission planter training, etc. Step 3: Certification/Call/Ordination After demonstrating competence in the pre ordination areas, the student must apply for an examination hearing by the seminary in order to be certified for call and ordination. Each student will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The examination hearing shall includeareviewof the student’sportfolio,vicarage reports, an interview by the faculty, and recommendations by the district president and circuit counselor. After certification, call, and ordination according to the usual order, the student is placed on the pastoral roster of the Synod as a “specific ministry pastor.” He now may preach and administer the Sacraments under supervision in a specific locality. Step 4: Post-Call and Ordination Curriculum Upon call and ordination, the student shall complete the remainder of the Specific Ministry Pastor Program. The following areas are intended to continue development of the foundational competencies necessary for serving as a specific ministry pastor:

• Old Testament content and theology, New Testament content and theology, gifts of Christ, body of Christ, Church history and the history of Lutheranism, Christian education, pastoral theology, and theology of missions

• Residential seminars, possibly including pastoral formation, issues in pastoral ministry, team ministry, urban ministry, and spiritual formation

• Field seminars, possibly including basic mission planter training, edge gathering, and advanced mission planter training and

WHEREAS, Steps 3 and 4, approved by resolution, provided that a certification, call, and ordination be allowed after completion of two years of successful pre ordination studies; and

WHEREAS, Step 4, approved by resolution, provided that the post-ordination curriculum includes “Old Testament content and theology, New Testament content and theology, gifts of Christ, body of Christ, Church history and the history of Lutheranism, Christian education, pastoral theology, and theology of missions, residential seminars,including pastoral formation,issues of pastoral ministry, team ministry, urban ministry, and spiritual formation. Field seminars included basic mission planting, edge gathering, and advanced mission planter training” (ibid., 135); and

WHEREAS, Step 4 also included the caveat that “Refusal [or inability] to complete the Specific Ministry Program would result in the pastor’s removal from the Synod roster, at which point he is not eligible for a call” (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, The provision of ordination after two years, with the proviso that the roster ed worker completes the additional two years of formal, required education, has led to men being removed from the Synod roster, and created confusion about the Officeof the Holy Ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That currently enrolled SMP students (pre ordination and post-ordination) continue in the SMP track of two years toward ordination and two years of required post-ordination requirements;

and be it further

Resolved, That the program requirements of the SMP program, originally passed in 2007 Res. 5-01B, which allowed a student to be certified for call and ordination prior to the completion of the SMP program, be modified so that students admitted to the SMP program after the 2026 academic year shall be required to finish all academic requirements of the SMP program before ordination and placement on the Synod roster; and be it further

Resolved, That students who have completed the second academic year be designated as vicars, who may conduct specific and approved services under the supervision of their local pastor and with the approval of the respective seminary program director and district president; and be it finally

Resolved, That the vicar may receive compensation under the vicarage agreement with the congregation and seminary program, but without admission to the Synod roster.