Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026Committee 6Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries
To Encourage Further Consideration of Requiring Successful Completion of Specific Ministry Pastor Coursework before Ordination and Placement on Ordained Roster
- Committee
- 6. Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries
- Submitted by
- Mid-South Districtdistrict
- Workbook page
- 395
WHEREAS, The 2018 Mid-South District convention memorialized the 2019 Synod convention “To Request Synod to Move Ordination Upon Completion of SMP Four-Year Program” (2019 Ov. 6-07, Workbook, 451–52); and
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention considered this overture together with similar overtures from other districts and congregations; and
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted Resolution 6- 03A, “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program,” referring this matter to the Pastoral Formation Committee to “work to enhance the curriculum and standards of the SMP program between the two seminaries” and to “review the SMP program regarding the optimal timing for vicarage and ordination and report its recommendation to the joint boards of regents at its 2020 meeting, as well as to the Synod at large” (2019 Proceedings, 159); and
WHEREAS, Res. 6-03A further resolved “That the joint board [sic] of regents prepare an overture to the Synod on the timing of vicarage and ordination for the SMP program for consideration in convention in 2022” (ibid.); and
WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention considered the recommendations of the Pastoral Formation Committee and the joint boards of regents of the seminaries, which are forthcoming;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention reaffirm the importance of the Pastoral Formation Committee, the joint boards of regents, and the Synod’sconsideration of the issues regarding the timing of ordination in the SMP program; and be it further
Resolved, That the district in convention encourage the Pastoral Formation Committee, the joint boards of regents of the seminaries, and the Synod in convention to consider moving ordination and placement on the minister of religion—ordained roster of the Synod from after the completion of the first two years of the SMP program to after the completion of all SMP education and academic requirements for applicants admitted after the 2026 academic year.