To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.6 to Expand Pastoral Formation Committee for Broader Representation

WHEREAS, The Synod’s objectives include training pastors for Word and Sacrament ministry (Const. Art. III 3); and

WHEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) is charged with ensuring that objective is fulfilled consistently (Bylaw 3.10.4), recommending new routes to ordination (Bylaw 3.10.4.1), and coordinating existing routes (Bylaw 3.10.4.3–4); and

WHEREAS, The current voting membership of the PFC consists of the Chief Mission Officer of the Synod, who serves as chairman, and the presidents of the two seminaries; the executive director of the Office of Pastoral Education serves as a nonvoting advisory member; and

WHEREAS, Pastoral formation involves and impacts congregations, districts, and the whole Synod, and would benefit from the wisdom and perspective of district presidents and parish pastors outside of the seminaries and national staff; and

WHEREAS, Adding representation from the Council of Presidents (COP) and convention‑elected pastors will strengthen transparency, foster collaboration across the Synod, and reflect our shared commitment to faithful, mission‑minded pastoral formation;

therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.4.6 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING D. Pastoral Formation Committee … 3.10.4.6 The Pastoral Formation Committee shall comprise the following members: Voting Members: serve for the ensuing triennium 4. Two ministers of religion—ordained, nominated by the Committee for Convention Nominations and elected by the Synod in convention for the ensuing triennium Nonvoting Advisory Member: The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education Terms and Vacancies: The two district presidents shall be elected by the Council of Presidents at its first regular meeting following each Synod convention and shall serve until the close of the next regular Synod convention or until their successors are elected. Should a district president so serving cease to hold the office of district president, the Council of Presidents shall elect a replacement for the remainder of the term. The two convention‑elected pastors shall serve from the close of the convention at which they were elected until the close of the next regular Synod convention. Vacancies in these convention‑elected positions occurring between conventions shall be filled by appointment of the President of the Synod, in consultation with the Council of Presidents, until the next regular Synod convention.

and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod and the Commission on Handbook make any and all conforming edits elsewhere in the Handbook (including nominations and elections processes) to implement these changes and maintain internal consistency; and be it further

Resolved, That the first election of the two convention‑elected pastors take place at this convention for terms beginning at the close of this convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the COP elect the two district presidents to serve for the ensuing triennium at its first regular meeting following this convention.