Res. 6-06 — To Affirm and Support Established Parameters of Specific Ministry Pastor Program

WHEREAS, The Synod established the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) p rogram to address pastoral needs in specific contexts where calling a residentially-formed pastor is not feasible; and

WHEREAS, Specific ministry pastors provide essential service in ministries that would not otherwise receive pastors, keeping congregations from closing and enabling many of them to flourish under their leadership; and

WHEREAS, Specific ministry pastors make significant sacrifices, often serving bi-vocational ministries while working other jobs to support their families; and

WHEREAS, The SMP program was intentionally designed as a limited and contextual pathway, distinct from the Master of Divinity program; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed that alternative pastoral formation programs exist to serve exceptional circumstances and are not intended to replace residential seminary education; and

WHEREAS, The Policy Requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor Program (Report R13.5, CW, 75–76) have been unanimously approved by the boards of regents (BOR) of both seminaries and establish policies born of two decades of SMP experience and churchwide discussion, including provision for warranted exceptions; and

WHEREAS, The presidents and BOR of both seminaries, in consultation with the Council of Presidents (COP), provide ongoing oversight of pastoral formation pathways to ensure faithfulness to Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and Synod policies; therefore be it

Resolved, That district presidents and congregations adhere faithfully to the approved SMP policies, so that they should be given opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness and impact, and to prioritize residential seminary formation whenever feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That the presidents and BOR of both seminaries, in consultation with the COP, be encouraged to continue regular oversight and evaluation of the SMP program to ensure it remains consistent with its original purpose and stated intent; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful specific ministry pastors who serve under call for the sake of Christ’s Church.