To Clarify and Strengthen the Specific Ministry Pastor Program

WHEREAS, Many congregations and ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod lack regular pastoral care because they cannot support a full-time pastor or are in challenging mission fields; and

WHEREAS, 2007 Resolution 5-01B, “To Establish Specific Ministry Pastor Program” (Proceedings, 133–38), adopted the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program as a faithful, multiple- track route to ordination for specific ministry contexts; and

WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5-01B explicitly envisions specific ministry pastors serving not only congregations that cannot support afull-time pastor but also as church planters and as staff or associate pastors in larger congregations and multi-staff ministries under the supervision of a general ministry pastor; and

WHEREAS, The SMP program, as established, provides supervised theological formation and appropriate limitations while recognizing specific ministry pastors as truly called and ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the original intent of the SMP program as set forth in 2007 Res. 5-01B, including its use for specific ministry contexts such as congregations unable to support a full-time pastor, language and cultural missions, church plants, and service as staff or associate pastors in larger congregations under the supervision of a general ministry pastor; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage districts, congregations, and seminaries to identify and support qualified men for SMP service wherever such specific ministry needs exist, including in larger congregations and multi-site ministries; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct the Council of Presidents, in consultation with the seminaries and the Pastoral Formation Committee, to review current SMP enrollment policies and recommend adjustments that remove unnecessary numerical caps or other restrictions so that enrollment is guided chiefly by mission needs, candidate qualifications, and capacity for faithful formation and supervision; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage districts, congregations, and appropriate Synod entities to provide financial support so that no qualified SMP candidate is prevented from entering or completing the program solely because of financial hardship; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the service of specific ministry pastors and their supervising pastors and take all appropriate actions to clarify and strengthen the SMP program in keeping with its original purpose, for the sake of the Gospel and the mission of Christ’s Church.