To Nullify Restrictive Policies Imposed on Specific Ministry Pastor Program and Restore Its Original Scope

WHEREAS, The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program was established by the 2007 Synod convention to address urgent needs for Gospel proclamation in specific ministry contexts where full- time residential seminary formation was not feasible, emphasizing flexibility to serve small congregations, missions, and emerging needs without undue restrictions on applicants’ age, prior membership duration, or mandatory consultations that could deter participation (2007 Res. 5-01B, “To Establish Specific Ministry Pastor Program”); and

WHEREAS, The SMP program has faithfully produced called and ordained pastors who serve valid ministries, as affirmed in the Pastoral Formation Committee’s (PFC) recent premises (PFC, Policy Requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor Program: Admission, Administration and Supervision, Nov. 2025, files.lcms.org/dl/f/smp-policy-requirements), and has been a blessing to the church by providing basic theological and pastoral formation under supervision, honoring the Divine Call while adapting to real-world economic and contextual pressures (2007 Res. 5-01B; cf. PFC Premise 3); and

WHEREAS, Subsequent convention actions (2013 Res. 5-03E, 5- 04B; 2019 Res. 6-02, 6-04; 2023 Res. 6-02A, 6-03A, 6-06A) directed that the parameters for the SMP program be refined, but did not authorize the imposition of overly burdensome restrictions that limit accessibility, such as minimum age requirements or mandatory funding pledges, which exceed the original intent and hinder the program’s flexibility, and impose administrative burdens, deter smaller or resource-limited congregations, and treat the SMP program as a secondary or discouraged route rather than a valid alternative, contrary to the 2007 vision of urgency and adaptability; and

WHEREAS, Constitution Article III calls for conserving and promoting the unity of the true faith through flexible means of pastoral formation, and past conventions have emphasized recruitment and support without overly prescriptive limits, making it prudent to restore the SMP program’s original scope to better serve the harvest field (Matt. 9:37–38) and ensure broader access to the Office of the Holy Ministry, lest these restrictions risk exacerbating the Synod’s pastor shortage by narrowing the applicant pool and discouraging participation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention declare null and void the PFC’s November 2025 policy requirements for the SMP program’s admission, administration, and supervision, including policies one through eight and associated exceptions, as they exceed the directives of prior conventions and impose undue restrictions; and be it further

Resolved, Thatthe Synod direct the PFC, in consultation with the seminaries and Council of Presidents, to revert the SMP program to its original parameters as established in 2007 Res. 5-01B, emphasizing flexibility in applicant eligibility, voluntary rather than mandatory consultations and funding commitments, and supervision focused on initial formation without lifelong formalized documentation mandates; and be it further

Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to maintain the SMP program’s curriculum focus on Lutheran theology and pastoral skills, while allowing broader access to ensure the program’s vitality in addressing mission needs; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod affirm the value of all routes to ordination, including the SMP program, as equal means of fulfilling the divine call, and encourage ongoing recruitment efforts like Set Apart to Serve to increase the number of pastors without artificial barriers.